Work around the project

Firstly, thank you so much to the HVS folks for all your questions and comments! It was very exciting to see them all in my email this morning. You've asked some really cool stuff and I'll be sure to go through and reply to them all. 

Lots of you asked about the weather - you'll be pleased to know it has been much better the last couple of days. In fact pretty hot - though not nearly as hot as I was worried it might be when I planned the trip. I think it's been in the late twenties - quite humid but the house stays cool and we finish work for the day around 12 so it's been fine. Thunderstorms and rain are still predicted, and Estelle heard on the radio that it was supposed to rain for all of February!! But so far we've been pretty lucky so here's hoping. 

We've been working hard around the property the last two days. The volunteers are responsible for all sorts of jobs - it takes a lot of work to keep a place like this operating. With all the rain the driveway where the public come in has huge holes. So we have been relocating rocks from the lawn and Nala and Jasmine's enclosure and taking them to fill the gaps! It is a little surreal, I'd be absorbed in filling a wheelbarrow then remember where I was and look up to see a cheetah watching me :) The staff were also busy today burning a whole lot of vegetation and rubbish to clear a new cheetah camp. Next week most of our work will involve preparing this space - raking, pulling out plants, clearing stones etc. 

The hard work is certainly worth it though for the payoff of cheetah time in the afternoon. It is such a nice time - we usually start with Nala and Jasmine as they are the most affectionate. They let you sit next to them, or sometimes they come up to you and demand snuggles! They love to kiss, though they have an incredibly rough tongue so this is not always a good thing! Usually after a while they move off, but it is still lovely to sit near them and watch their behaviour. We have also spent time with Jade who is pretty cuddly, and as you saw in the pictures we've also had some interaction with Shaka. He is a bit too boisterous for us to go in his enclosure, but he is leash trained and can come out and enjoy some pats. I'll post some photos shortly of me taking him for a walk!

Tomorrow should be exciting as there is a cheetah run planned for the morning. That's where they use a lure on the big runway by the enclosures and get the cheetahs to give chase. This emulates their behaviour in the wild as well as giving them good exercise. I'll look forward to reporting back on how it goes!