Their paws may be small but their impact is enormous. The birth of three cheetah cubs at Lolelunga Private Reserve marks a historic first and a proud moment for South African conservation efforts beyond our borders.
Zambia (16 December 2025) – Three tiny lives, barely days old, are already carrying a very big story. A story of protection, collaboration and hope that stretches from South Africa’s reserves all the way into the heart of Zambia.
Lolelunga Private Reserve, located 30 kilometres north-west of Kafue National Park, has announced the birth of three healthy cheetah cubs. The first ever born on Zambia’s first fully fenced, private reserve. And while the cubs have taken their very first breaths on Zambian soil, their roots run deep into South Africa.
This milestone began in August 2024, when Lolelunga partnered with The Cheetah Metapopulation Initiative to introduce five cheetahs, three males and two females, into the reserve. Carefully selected from Gauteng and Limpopo, these animals form part of a long-term rewilding and conservation project. Their lineage can be traced back to multiple reserves across South Africa, making this birth a proud moment for conservationists on both sides of the border.
Ironically, almost exactly a year later, Lolelunga welcomed its first guests. People coming to experience a landscape that had been rehabilitated, rewilded and handed back to nature. Shortly after that milestone, nature delivered something extraordinary of her own.
One of the female cheetahs gave birth to three cubs, marking her first litter. She has been affectionately nicknamed “Shanaya” by Lolelunga’s game rangers, who say she has taken to motherhood with pride and remarkable care. The reserve staff share that pride, working closely with monitoring and anti-poaching units to ensure the cubs’ safety and wellbeing during these critical early months.
The timing and significance of this birth cannot be overstated. Zambia’s wild cheetah population is estimated to be fewer than 100 individuals, making every successful birth a vital step forward. These cubs represent not just new life, but the success of thoughtful planning, cross-border cooperation and a commitment to giving endangered species space to thrive.
“The arrival of the three cubs marks a hopeful new chapter for Zambia’s cheetah population and underscores Lolelunga Private Reserve’s success in creating a secure breeding environment,” the reserve shared.
For South Africans, this moment carries special meaning. It is a reminder that the conservation work happening in our own provinces matters far beyond our borders. The cheetahs relocated from Gauteng and Limpopo are now shaping the future of a species in another country, proving that when conservation is done with care and collaboration, its impact travels far.
“It is with great pride that the custodians of Lolelunga Private Reserve unveil the arrival of these three healthy cheetah cubs – a milestone that beautifully crowns a truly momentous year at Lolelunga Private Reserve.”
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