I was journeying through South Africa recently when our group crashed down for a few days at a lodge near Zululand--yes this is a real place. Emdoneni Lodge is on the Hluhluwe game preserve and also serves as a cat sanctuary for rescued African cats including:
servals caracals
They took us around at feeding time, which I guess is the trick. Feed the animals first then take folks inside the fences because the cats bellies will be full and they will want to nap and not try to attack you. Though, since these cats have been around humans most of their lives the handler says it will be fine--mostly--just don't go near their food bits and don't try to pet their heads. That's right, we are afforded the opportunity to pet some of them. For the most part they are concerned with finding bits of raw chicken to gnaw on than having somebody pet them. I get that, sometimes I just want to eat my cake in peace and not talk to anyone so I'm down with that.
Most of the cats are the size of small dogs, but the big deal is to go into the fence with the cheetahs--that's right plural--as in 3 in one very large pen. We stood outside and watched as they each got fed a whole raw chicken (yes already dead and de-feathered). The female took hers first--after growling and scratching at the two males to back off! Nice, but we still decided to go in, just as soon as they finish eating. Once inside we stood about 20 feet away from them as they lazed around with full stomachs. The guide chatted about how they came to be here (found abandoned as young ones) and the rehab process. These particular cats won't be sent back to the wild but any offspring they have will be. Plus cheetahs don't normally attack humans unless they have rabies or something. He says they don't see humans as either threats or food--charming. With that he says who wants to pet her?
No one seems to want to go first so he points to a woman, takes her camera and says kneel down slowly behind her and stroke her back--just don't pet their head--they don't like that and might snap at you. With some trepidation she walks slowly over and begins to squat slowly when she looses her balance and falls down beside the cat. We all stopped breathing when the guide said don't move! He then raises her camera to his face and says smile! And begins snapping away. Though I think the look on her face was more stunned terror than smile and as a group we all let out a breath. Who's next? One by one almost all our group goes over and kneels beside her and pets away. Eventually she begins to purr a bit just like a house cat--with really big teeth. I get my chance and as I rub my hand down her back you can feel the taut tense muscles underneath the bristly fur. She's not soft at all and up close you can see the spots are actually on the skin and not a pattern on the fur. It was actually a rather thrilling experience and I was glad I had the opportunity. I would say if you go to Africa and have a chance to get up close and personal--do it--totally worth it.
servals caracals
cheetahs African wild cats (this ain't no kitty!)
Usually they are found as young ones abandoned by parents either missing or killed. While they have grown used to people, they are ultimately wild animals and can be unpredictable. Yet being tourists in a foreign land the first thing that comes to mind is--this is so cool! And then when they ask would you like to go in the cages? You have one of those small moments of WHAT?! Then your eyes get wide and without thinking too much about it you say YES!
Most of the cats are the size of small dogs, but the big deal is to go into the fence with the cheetahs--that's right plural--as in 3 in one very large pen. We stood outside and watched as they each got fed a whole raw chicken (yes already dead and de-feathered). The female took hers first--after growling and scratching at the two males to back off! Nice, but we still decided to go in, just as soon as they finish eating. Once inside we stood about 20 feet away from them as they lazed around with full stomachs. The guide chatted about how they came to be here (found abandoned as young ones) and the rehab process. These particular cats won't be sent back to the wild but any offspring they have will be. Plus cheetahs don't normally attack humans unless they have rabies or something. He says they don't see humans as either threats or food--charming. With that he says who wants to pet her?
No one seems to want to go first so he points to a woman, takes her camera and says kneel down slowly behind her and stroke her back--just don't pet their head--they don't like that and might snap at you. With some trepidation she walks slowly over and begins to squat slowly when she looses her balance and falls down beside the cat. We all stopped breathing when the guide said don't move! He then raises her camera to his face and says smile! And begins snapping away. Though I think the look on her face was more stunned terror than smile and as a group we all let out a breath. Who's next? One by one almost all our group goes over and kneels beside her and pets away. Eventually she begins to purr a bit just like a house cat--with really big teeth. I get my chance and as I rub my hand down her back you can feel the taut tense muscles underneath the bristly fur. She's not soft at all and up close you can see the spots are actually on the skin and not a pattern on the fur. It was actually a rather thrilling experience and I was glad I had the opportunity. I would say if you go to Africa and have a chance to get up close and personal--do it--totally worth it.
We are both a little camera shy--and yes I patted the head by mistake--handler said don't do that, but it's hard to look at the camera and pet a wild animal at the same time people!
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