A Festive Season Full of New Beginnings

Posted on Fri December 20, 2024.

As the season of giving and celebration draws near, we are brimming with joy, and it’s all thanks to the tiniest members of our animal family!

On 19 October 2024, our beautiful cheetah, Uzuri, gave us one of the greatest gifts of all: four healthy, thriving cheetah cubs! Uzuri, a first-time mom, has shown extraordinary care and devotion to her cubs, making her carers’ hearts swell with pride. These precious bundles of fur, named Zuko, Zorro, Zuri & Zeus, represent more than just adorable new additions—they're a significant contribution to the global cheetah gene pool, helping to ensure the survival of this vulnerable species.

Uzuri’s success is even more meaningful as we reflect on a monumental milestone earlier this year: the release of Xyla, another of our cheetahs, into the wild in October. Xyla’s story reminds us of the vital role we play in conservation, and Uzuri’s cubs hold the promise of expanding this legacy.

But that’s not all—just when we thought Uzuri’s cubs were the highlight of the year, nature surprised us once again. After the challenges of June’s devastating floods, 2024 is ending on a beautiful high note. This week, we celebrated the arrival of five fluffy peachicks, a vibrant symbol of resilience and renewal.

From cheetah cubs to peachicks, these youngsters have brought a festive sparkle to our Ranch, and we’re thrilled to share their magic with you. Visitors to Cango Wildlife Ranch can see charming little ones and experience the wonder of wildlife up close.

This season, we’re reminded that even after the stormiest of times, life finds a way to flourish. Uzuri’s dedication, Xyla’s wild success, and the arrival of our peachicks are gifts we’re honoured to share with our community this Christmas.

Come celebrate with us and witness the joy of new life this festive season at Cango Wildlife Ranch, open 365 days of the year.

Find Xyla’s full release story here: Xyla's Great Trek

Further Reading

In Loving Memory of Prickles Wed June 11, 2025

Prickles came into our care as a tiny, wide-eyed orphan—rescued after his mother was tragically killed by dogs on a nearby farm. From that moment on, he became part of our family, wrapped in warmth and raised with the kind of love and devotion that only a little abandoned porcupine could inspire.

Read This Article
One Year Later Thu June 5, 2025

The Flood That Tested Us – and the Strength That Carried Us Through Exactly one year ago, on 4 June 2024, Cango Wildlife Ranch faced one of the most devastating natural events in our 40+ year history. Today, we pause—not to relive the hardship, but to reflect on the resilience, bravery, and unity that saw us through.

Read This Article
From Blueprints to Branches Thu June 5, 2025

How Retired Architect Joseph Zwick left a lasting mark at Cango Wildlife Ranch, Oudtshoorn — June 2025 Conservation is often powered by passionate volunteers — and every so often, one leaves behind a legacy that echoes long after they’ve gone. This past May, retired architect Joseph Otto Zwick spent three weeks enriching the lives of lemurs, aviary birds, and staff alike during his stay as part of the Wild Animal Volunteers program.

Read This Article