After noticing lameness in Njozi’s right front leg, the University of Pretoria’s veterinary experts worked together to perform an intricate operation to correct both her old and new fractures to get Njozi back on her paws and sprinting through the wild as the magnificent athlete she truly is.
Onderstepoort, South Africa (25 July 2025) – Following signs of lameness in her right forelimb, Njozi, a cherished five-year-old cheetah from Rietvlei Nature Reserve, is on the road to recovery thanks to the dedicated team at the University of Pretoria’s Faculty of Veterinary Science at Onderstepoort.
According to UP, the gorgeous wildcat was located and captured with the assistance of game ranger Jeanri Weideman, thanks to the very high frequency (VHF) collar she wears.
Radiographs revealed that Njozi had previously fractured two bones in her leg, the radius and ulna, which had unfortunately healed incorrectly and fused (a condition known as synostosis). This, in turn, limited movement in her paw and likely caused abnormal stress on the limb, leading to a new fracture just above the original injury site.
On Tuesday, a specialised surgical team from the faculty’s Onderstepoort Veterinary Academic Hospital (OVAH), led by Dr Adriaan Kitshoff, performed an intricate operation to correct both the old and new fractures.
“In theatre, we corrected both the previous malunion and the recent fracture by removing a wedge of bone and carefully realigning the limb,” explained Dr Kitshoff.
The bones were then stabilised with two metal plates, and a small bone graft from her shoulder was used to promote healing.
Prof Koeppel confirmed that Njozi’s bandage was changed on Wednesday, and that she will continue to be monitored by the team of wildlife veterinarians and students at the Faculty of Veterinary Science’s wildlife clinic.
We commend the commitment to all those who played a crucial part in the well-being of this magnificent cheetah and hope to see her back in the wild soon.
Sources: University of Pretoria
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