Day 12 - Zanzibar Cheetah's Rock

There are many extra curricular opportunities here in Zanzibar. Plenty of water sport options, tours, sailing so spoilt for choice. We did something same, same but different though, we wanted to go to Cheetah's Rock www.cheetahsrock.org Cheetah's Rock is an accredited, NFP rescue and conservation centre that allows the opportunity to interact with a variety of animals. Being one of only two large, predator centres in Zanzibar, that includes a pair of Cheetahs and a white lion. Those who know Gina knows the passion she has for creatures so getting in was a must. Our decision was last minute and lucky we got in. It only allows tours three times a week and numbers are capped.

So another road trip on "roads" that were as bad or worse than some of the safari tracks! We travelled in some clapped out Toyota peoplemover with shagged suspension and a transmission that wanted to drop it's lunch. I felt pretty car sick.

Just like a big dog

As usual Ginz has another one eating from the palm of her hand

Mountain Lion actually feeling secure in the enclosure

 

Me and King Julian - "We like to move it move it"

At the other end, WOW! After introductions, an explanation of the park's purpose, our five hour tour kicked off. First we met Chaka the 15YO Zebra. Zebra's easily frighten and are wary of people but this guy was trained by positive reinforcement methods to respond to basic commands. It was a hands on experience as one by one we were able to caress and interact with him, he was like a big dog....that could kill you with a kick of it's hooves.

Next was the Bush Babies, pretty cute and once in their enclosure they are all over us! Many of these animals come with some sad backstories. They are trapped, left for dead when their parents are killed, abused for profit. Some of the bush babies were out of bounds as the basically attack people given their previous human interactions.

Next, the blue balled monkeys. Monkey's are harmless right? Not really, so don't smile at them, dont stare at them, don't reach for them and don't touch them. Let them come to you! Gina got the up close and personal bonus of feeding a monkey and wasn't she on a high.

Next the Lemurs or Prince Julian for Madagascar fans. These are cheeky buggers that effectily climg everyone and everything and are just pure joy too watch. Don't stare at them though, some don't like it. Touchy!

We get to meet a breed of twenty near extinct Turtles, their name escapes us. Seventyfour are known to exist in conservation parks, Cheetah's Rock has twenty of that. These were seized from a private collection in the Emirates.

There were many hands on experiences but one of the greats was meeting a near full grown white lion names Aslan. A white lion in itself is rare, and in the park for it's own protection as he has a US$200K value to trophy hunters and poachers. After the backstory and a safety briefing we see him close, only a wire fence between us. One by one we are able to feed him a chunk of meet for his 10kg/day quota. I can admit that I was crapping myself trying to put the meat in his mouth and dropped it three times. By my fourth attempt I think he was hangry! The teeth are massive and it's head the size of a beachball. Despite the fence were still centimetres between an apex predator and our hands. It was truly magnificent.

Then more magnificent creatures, the white lioness and shadow striped tiger. In fact the white lion and lioness were deemed part of a breeding program as white lions are near extinct. Alas the threat of poachers has forced the centre to delay that until they can ramp up security measures. We're talking MILITARY security.

Finally the piece de resistance, we get up close, very, very up close with a pair of Cheetahs. Brothers in fact. We are given the option of not entering their enclosure, "but appreciate you may get a small injury". How small we talkin' here?

Without further adu the keeper walks the cheetahs out and parades them in front of us. Imagine 30 people sitting on logs in a row as a cheetah parades past, centimtres from you, both exhilerating and terrifying! Oh, and surreal. To the cheetah we must look like a smorgasboard, "hmm italian, english, no, asian, haven't had asian in a while". The keepers kick around soccer balls to keep the cats distracted, but remeber these are off lead, and we are in their house.

We are then invited to take seat next to a cheetah to touch, pat and caress, just avoid eye contact. "Tell the cheetah that, he keeps turning to us!" Gina is beside herself in excitement and anticipation. She was in tears afterwards, the emotion of sitting with and patting a big cat has overwhelmed her. It is as moving as it is surreal.

These people do an amazing job, exuding passion for the animals, and deep sadness for the atrocities committed against so many of the breeds.

It's 7.15pm now and time to head back to our Toyota Shitbox for the next terrifying adventure, the drive back in the dark!