The very first Australian-born cheetah has been released into the wild and the moving moment of freedom has been captured on video.
The Wild Cat Conservation Center released Edie into the African savannah last week, saying she had been meant for this moment her whole life.
Footage shows the majestic creature leaving her box and slowly moving across the grass at the Mziki Private Game Reserve, near Johannesburg, South Africa.
Ben Britton and his wife Kahlia, who spent more than $100,000 for the momentous occasion, said it was a bittersweet milestone after months of planning.
The very first Australian-born cheetah has been released into the wild and the heartwarming moment of freedom was captured on video
“Anything can happen and we understand that, but to see her come out, knowing that we gave her the best possible chance at the best possible life, we couldn’t be more proud,” Britton said. The Daily Telegraph.
‘She had so much game in her from the moment she was born, it was the right thing to do.
“As soon as she stepped out of the coffin, it looked like she had lived in Africa all her life.”
The couple cares for more than 16 feral cats, including Edie’s parents Duke and Emmy.
They have more than 20 years of experience working with ‘feral cats’ and established the NSW Hawkesbury Region Conservation Center in 2016 to better understand and protect them.
The conservation center shared a statement on social media following Edie’s release, saying the aim is now for more cheetahs to follow in her footsteps.
The Wild Cat Conservation Center released Edie into the wild last week, saying she was meant for this moment her whole life
The conservation center shared a statement on social media following Edie’s release, saying the aim is now for more cheetahs to follow in her footsteps.
“We are proud to announce that we have become the first organization in Australia to return a captive-born cheetah to the wilds of Africa,” the organization said.
‘Our beautiful Edie has undergone a phased return to the wild, with carefully developed plans to ensure her success.
‘She began her preparations here at the Wild Cat Conservation Centre, where she underwent fitness development, diet changes and support as she honed her predatory skills.
‘This phased rewilding allowed Edie to hone her wild instincts, improve her hunting skills to take down predator-conscious prey animals and develop her vigilance to coexist with competing predators.’