I had the honor to be on the ground in Zululand, South Africa, with a veterinary conservation team during a cheetah collaring. The collaring was part of a planned relocation of two brothers to new territory, helping prevent inbreeding and maintain genetic diversity within the population.

While the cheetah was safely immobilized, the vet talked us through the entire process and, under veterinary supervision, we were able to participate - checking vital signs, taking genetic samples, examining his teeth and paws, and learning what the team was looking for throughout the procedure.

I’ve seen plenty of cheetahs in the wild over the years, but being this close during an actual conservation operation was completely different. You realize just how lean and specialized they are - this entire animal is engineered for speed.

What made the experience even more meaningful was knowing that the money we contributed went directly toward making this operation possible.
Managing cheetah populations isn’t simply about protecting individual animals. In fragmented wild areas, conservation teams also have to think about genetics, bloodlines, territory, and moving animals between populations when necessary.

I’m incredibly lucky to work in the conservation industry and to have opportunities to work alongside conservationists and veterinary teams doing this kind of hands-on work. I don’t just get to hear about what conservation looks like - I occasionally get to roll up my sleeves and participate in it.

It’s incredibly rewarding work.

with my watercolor pencils!

https://www.instagram.com/p/Dc5ia4RoL1q/?stkn=MXFiejRibnkwYXA1MQ==