The Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre focus on the conservation of rare, vulnerable or endangered animals. Cheetah Conservation is one of their core disciplines.
They are actively involved in the breeding of endangered, vulnerable or rare animal species; the education of learners, students and the general public in conservation and conservation activities; eco-tourism; the release and establishment of captive-bred cheetahs back into the wild; the treatment and rehabilitation of wild animals that are brought to the Centre.
The HESC also offers an intensive, hands-on Student's Programme to conservation and adventure enthusiasts from around the world.
Following an introductory presentation on the Centre, day visitors are treated to an in-depth tour of the centre. Departing on the hour, open safari vehicles with experienced guides move between the various enclosures, enabling participants to view cheetah, wild dog, lions, the black-footed cat, african wild cat, ground hornbills, sable antelope and much more.
A great treat is experiencing the feeding sessions of various rare African vultures as they swoop down into the “vulture restaurant” to feed on the remains of carcasses. This area attracts White-backed Vultures, Hooded Vultures, occasionally the Lappet-faced Vulture and Cape Griffon, the Marabou Stork and Bateleur Eagle. The bones and carcasses come from the bomas, paddocks and pens around the Centre, and once they have been picked clean they are taken to a bone miller and the proceeds are put pack into the Centre.
