We are equally proud of our association with conservation organisations. Since 2003 HESC has been registered in South Africa as a cheetah breeding centre by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).
HESC participates in the Endangered Wildlife Trust’s cheetah metapopulation project that aims to sustain and increase the numbers and genetic diversity of Southern Africa’s free-ranging cheetah population. We provide new blood lines to limit inbreeding in small, free-ranging groups of cheetahs. It is estimated there are only about 7 000 cheetahs remaining in Africa of which 1 200 occur in South Africa, 300 to 450 as free-ranging in the wild and the rest in reserves. But HESC is not only about facts and figures and science. With our passion and dedication for what we do, there are many tales about healing and love for the animals that we work with – unfortunately also cases of heartbreak when we lost beloved rhinos to poachers.
Come by and see for yourself why HESC has become a popular stop on the route of local and international tourists. On our guided tours in open safari vehicles you’ll see endangered and other species such as the cheetah, rhino, lion, African wild cat, southern ground hornbill, wild dog, sable antelope and various species of vultures at the vulture restaurant.