Running Wild Cheetah Conservation

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South Africa
Magaliesburg
Running Wild Cheetah Conservation

Rescue, Rehabilitate, Rewild,
Repopulate, Release. Volunteer, Intern & Student Destination Program
(1)

01/11/2026

Little adventures, big discoveries!

Our bush outings are all about letting our little white lions - Azhar and Zhiane, explore, play and enjoy a refreshing splash in the river. Getting them comfortable around water from a young age will make those future dips in their own water ponds even more enjoyable when the African summer sun turns up the heat!

Little paws, big adventures, and a lifetime of memories in the making. 🧡

• cheetah
• rewilding
• mother raised
• rescued lions
• lion cubs
• conservation vacation
• voliday
• return them to the wild
• african safari
• reintroduction program
• hyenas, servals, caracals
• meerkats, lions
• keep our animals wild
• giving back freedom
• volunteering
• vet student
• working holiday
• volunteer program
• rescue and release

26/10/2026

Watching our two little white lions grow up together is just so special.

They are becoming each other’s best friend, little partner in crime and closest companion, building a bond that we hope will last a lifetime.

We are so grateful to be part of their journey and to give them a safe forever home where they will always be loved and cared for. But if I could wave a magic wand, I would give them so much more. A loving lion mother to guide them, powerful brothers and sisters to grow alongside, and a lion pride that would teach them everything they need to know to survive and thrive in the wild. I would give them a territory to roam, the freedom to discover the world, and the chance to become the magnificent wild lions they were always meant to be. And I would want them to have each other through it all, standing side by side, growing into strong lions together.

Sometimes, the hardest part of what we do is knowing that, no matter how much we love them, we cannot give them the life they were born to live.

Until dreams can come true, they have each other, and we will cherish every moment of watching their beautiful bond grow.

Wild and free, together. That will always be our wish for them. 🤍🦁🦁

• cheetah
• rescued lions
• conservation vacation
• voliday
• return them to the wild
• african safari
• reintroduction program
• hyenas, servals, caracals
• meerkats, lions
• keep our animals wild
• giving back freedom
• volunteering
• vet student
• working holiday
• volunteer program
• rescue and release

25/10/2026

🐢 A LITTLE AFTERNOON SPA FOR OUR BIG BOY!

One of our recently released tortoises has been making himself right at home on the reserve, and we often spot him wandering around. Just yesterday, he was seen down by the river, and this afternoon, he paid us a little visit as he walked along the driveway.

It was a particularly hot day, so we decided to offer our old boy some fresh water. And oh, did he enjoy it! 💦🐢

He happily drank some lovely, cool water and then seemed to absolutely luxuriate in the refreshing stream from the garden hose. It looked as though he was enjoying his very own little cooling-down spa session!

The funny thing is that the little dam where he has been spotted before is only about 150 metres away. But perhaps today, room service at the lodge was simply too good to pass up!

Once he had enjoyed his refreshing treat, he carried on his way, strolling down the walkway and disappearing into the bushes.

Seeing an animal we have released wandering freely around the reserve, living life on his own terms, is a special kind of happiness.

No enclosures, no restrictions, just a tortoise going wherever his little legs take him. And if that happens to include a refreshing afternoon spa, well, why not? 🐢

Till next time, old boy! Stay wild, stay safe, and don't be a stranger.

Did you know that leopard tortoises are wonderfully adapted to survive in the hot, dry conditions of southern Africa?

These gentle giants are experts at conserving water. They get moisture from the grasses and plants they eat, and they may not drink every day. But that doesn’t mean they can live without water!

When temperatures rise, leopard tortoises rely on shade, cool resting places and access to fresh water to keep themselves save.

• cheetahs
• rescued lions
• conservation vacation
• voliday
• return them to the wild
• african safari
• reintroduction program
• hyenas, servals, caracals
• meerkats, lions
• keep our animals wild
• giving back freedom
• volunteering
• vet student
• working holiday
• volunteer program
• rescue and release

24/10/2026

🐆
There is just something so special about our cheetah siblings. 🧡

Those beautiful amber eyes, every spot so unique, and those iconic black tear marks. Honestly, I could spend hours just watching them!

But what gets me the most is the bond between them. The little things you notice when you sit quietly and watch them together. The way they lie close to each other, gently nuzzle, play, or just look at one another. Sometimes they don't even do anything special. They are simply happy to have each other close.

There is something so intriguing about that silent connection between brothers and sisters. No words, no fuss, just a comfort in being together.

Wild by nature. Magical by design. Worth protecting forever.

📸 zak pretorius 🫶

• cheetah
• rewilding
• mother raised
• rescued lions
• lion cubs
• conservation vacation
• voliday
• return them to the wild
• african safari
• reintroduction program
• hyenas, servals, caracals
• meerkats, lions
• keep our animals wild
• giving back freedom
• volunteering
• vet student
• working holiday
• volunteer program
• rescue and release

22/10/2026

After-meal cleaning time is my favorite! 👅 It’s like licking every last bit of something yummy off your lips! 😂❤️ And of course, it’s even more special because it means precious bonding time with my Mommy because I am her favorite. 🥰🐆

• cheetah
• rewilding
• mother raised
• rescued lions
• lion cubs
• conservation vacation
• voliday
• return them to the wild
• african safari
• reintroduction program
• hyenas, servals, caracals
• meerkats, lions
• keep our animals wild
• giving back freedom
• volunteering
• vet student
• working holiday
• volunteer program
• rescue and release

18/10/2026

🎬 **Our Weekly Wild Watch!** 🐆🦁

A week filled with meaningful conservation work, hands-on animal care, learning, adventure and plenty of fun!

Every day at Running Wild Conservation is an opportunity to make a difference. From preparing and introducing enrichment toys to stimulate our rescued animals, to learning about wildlife rehabilitation, animal behaviour and conservation, our volunteers get a real glimpse into the work that goes on at our Rescue, Rehab and Rewild facility.

We also headed out to the Big 5 Reserve, where incredible elephant, lion, leopard and other wildlife sightings reminded us exactly why protecting these magnificent animals matters and why they deserve to be free! 🐘🐆

Our week was packed with educational outings, inspiring lectures and special moments with the animals in our care. Every experience helps our volunteers better understand the challenges of wildlife conservation, rehabilitation and our ultimate goal: giving them the opportunity to return to their natural environment whenever possible.🐾

And because conservation is also about building connections and sharing unforgettable experiences, we rounded off the week with a Mexican-themed party and karaoke by the pool! New friends, old friends, plenty of laughter and memories to last a lifetime.

Making a difference, learning through experience and living the wild side of South Africa — this is a week at Running Wild Conservation!

• cheetah
• rewilding
• mother raised
• rescued lions
• lion cubs
• conservation vacation
• voliday
• return them to the wild
• african safari
• reintroduction program
• hyenas, servals, caracals
• meerkats, lions
• keep our animals wild
• giving back freedom
• volunteering
• vet student
• working holiday
• volunteer program
• rescue and release

13/10/2026

FROM RESCUE TO FREEDOM: OUR MEERKATS ARE THRIVING

Our second group of rescued meerkats that we rewilded and released back into the wild is doing wonderfully!

They have adapted successfully to their new life of freedom, and there is nothing more rewarding than seeing them finding their feet and living as wild meerkats should.

Some days we only spot three of them, while on other days, the whole group makes an appearance! We suspect that one or two might occasionally wander off to visit our first rewilded group, whose territory is a kilometre or two away. Perhaps they have made a few new friends along the way! 😉

And who knows? Hopefully, in the not-too-distant future, we might have even more exciting news to share… perhaps the pitter-patter of tiny meerkat feet!

For us, successful conservation isn't about keeping animals close to us forever. It's about giving them the opportunity to return to the wild, live independently, and build a future of their own.

• cheetah
• rewilding
• mother raised
• rescued lions
• lion cubs
• conservation vacation
• voliday
• return them to the wild
• african safari
• reintroduction program
• hyenas, servals, caracals
• meerkats, lions
• keep our animals wild
• giving back freedom
• volunteering
• vet student
• working holiday
• volunteer program
• rescue and release

10/10/2026

Don’t you sometimes wish you could just fall asleep on your mommy’s chest again, without a worry in the world? ❤️

This little one clearly had the same idea. I mean, what could be more comforting than the sound of mom’s purring, with the gentle rise and fall of her tummy rocking you to sleep? Nature’s very own lullaby. Pure bliss! 🥹🐆

Back then, they were still tiny little Cheetos, all snuggles and innocence. Today, at 4.5 months old, they’re a whole different story! Full of energy, mischief and way too much bravado for their little bodies!

Oh, how quickly those peaceful baby days turn into little wild adventures! ❤️🐆

• cheetah
• rewilding
• mother raised
• rescued lions
• lion cubs
• conservation vacation
• voliday
• return them to the wild
• african safari
• reintroduction program
• hyenas, servals, caracals
• meerkats, lions
• keep our animals wild
• giving back freedom
• volunteering
• vet student
• working holiday
• volunteer program
• rescue and release

08/10/2026

Another great safari day!

Our volunteers got an unforgettable, up-close-and-personal elephant sighting! This beautiful giant came right alongside the vehicle before calmly making its way across the road to join the rest of the herd.

Did you know elephants communicate in ways we can’t always hear? They use low-frequency sounds called infrasound, which can travel several kilometres and help them communicate with other elephants over long distances. They also use their trunks for everything from smelling and touching to drinking, feeding and even showing affection!

And perhaps one of the most incredible facts — elephants are highly social animals, with females typically living in close-knit family herds led by an older, experienced female known as a matriarch.

• cheetah
•cheetahcubs
• rewilding
• mother raised
• rescued lions
• lion cubs
• conservation vacation
• voliday
• return them to the wild
• african safari
• reintroduction program
• hyenas, servals, caracals
• meerkats, lions
• keep our animals wild
• giving back freedom
• volunteering
• vet student
• working holiday
• volunteer program
• rescue and release

04/10/2026

A FIRST RIVER ADVENTURE🦁

Our little white lion cubs had a lovely afternoon at the river, a whole new experience for them!

After some initial hesitation, they eventually were brave enough to cross one of the little streams running alongside the river.

And just to be clear ☺️, this is not an activity with public visitors. This is simply us giving them the freedom to explore, discover and enjoy the world around them, away from their camp, just as little cubs should!

• cheetah
• rewilding
• rescued lions
• cheetah cubs
• conservation vacation
• voliday
• return them to the wild
• african safari
• reintroduction program
• hyenas, servals, caracals
• meerkats, lions
• keep our animals wild
• giving back freedom
• volunteering
• vet student
• working holiday
• volunteer program
• rescue and release

Address

Magaliesburg

Telephone

+27832774483

Website

http://www.runningwildconservation.org/

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