For a conservation organisation based in Oudtshoorn, moments like this do not come often. And when they do, they are worth pausing for. This year, a South African conservation technology project founded by our CEO, Douglas Eriksen, was recognised on the global stage at the World Economic Forum in Davos. Project ZOA, or Zoological Open Architecture, was awarded the Startup Innovation Award for Top AI Sustainability Project during Davos Innovation Week 2026.
A Festive Season Full of New Beginnings
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
The Dodo once walked freely on the island of Mauritius. With no natural predators, it had no reason to fear humans. Within less than a century of human arrival, it was gone. Extinction is permanent. Once a species disappears, there is no recovery, no second chance, no future generations to protect. Every species on the Red List tells a story of pressure. Habitat loss. Human conflict. Climate stress. Decline that did not...
Some partnerships are built quietly and strengthened over time through consistency and shared purpose. Since 2018, Kraaibosch Nurseries in George has supported Cango Wildlife and the Cheetah Preservation Foundation as a benefactor. Their ongoing contributions help sustain the day to day work of conservation, from animal care and veterinary treatment to habitat management and long term programmes focused on threatened species, including cheetahs and other vulnerable wildlife in our care.












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