NATIONAL NEWS - A new chapter in African cheetah conservation is unfolding as The Origins Foundation and The Metapopulation Initiative (TMI) launch a five-year partnership designed to expand science-based wildlife translocations, restore populations and strengthen the long-term resilience of ecosystems across Southern Africa.
The Origins Foundation will serve as TMI’s primary funding partner under the agreement, marking a significant milestone in efforts to strengthen coordinated conservation across the region.
The partnership aims to provide long-term stability for field operations, metapopulation management, veterinary support and large-scale wildlife translocations.
More than a funding arrangement, the collaboration represents a shared commitment to science-driven conservation, ecosystem restoration and collaborative conservation models that support the long-term survival of Africa’s wildlife populations.
The announcement follows a landmark period in TMI’s work. In collaboration with government authorities, reserve managers, veterinarians, conservation organisations and landowners, TMI successfully translocated 20 cheetahs across international borders into Mozambique.
The organisation also led the first successful reintroduction of cheetahs into the Kingdom of Eswatini after the species had been locally extinct for more than four decades.
These achievements highlight the impact of coordinated, science-based conservation and set the foundation for expanded work across the continent under the new partnership.
“Conservation success is built over decades, not funding cycles,” said Robbie Kroger, Founder of The Origins Foundation.
“The Metapopulation Initiative has demonstrated that strategic partnerships, sound science and collaboration can restore wildlife populations once thought to be in decline. We are proud to stand beside TMI as they continue shaping the future of carnivore conservation across Africa.”
Founded to coordinate the management of fragmented cheetah populations, TMI has become one of Africa’s leading organisations dedicated to metapopulation management. Through genetic planning, veterinary expertise and coordinated translocations, the organisation works to establish stable and self-sustaining cheetah populations while supporting broader ecosystem resilience.
The partnership also honours the legacy of the late Vincent van der Merwe, whose pioneering work transformed cheetah metapopulation management across Southern Africa and laid the foundation for many of today’s conservation successes.
Leading TMI’s field operations is TMI Cheetah Metapopulation Manager Kulani Nyakane, who succeeded Van der Merwe.
Nyakane is a dedicated carnivore conservationist with more than a decade of experience in Big Five reserves following his diploma in Nature Conservation from Tshwane University of Technology.
His career has focused on wildlife research, monitoring and conflict mitigation for species including African wild dogs, cheetah, lion, hyena, rhino and vulture, with expertise in human–carnivore conflict resolution, threatened species conservation, stakeholder collaboration and ranger training.
“This generous support secures and expands our critical field operations, strengthens metapopulation management, drives range expansion and enables broader carnivore and biodiversity conservation initiatives across Africa and beyond,” said Nyakane.
“Thank you for standing with us. Together, we are securing a brighter future for cheetahs and Africa’s wild landscapes.”
Over the next five years, The Origins Foundation’s investment will support expanded wildlife translocations, enhanced management systems, strengthened veterinary and field operations, increased biodiversity initiatives and continued collaboration with governments, protected areas, scientists and conservation partners throughout Africa.
Together, The Origins Foundation and The Metapopulation Initiative share a vision of a future where thriving wildlife populations, healthy ecosystems and collaborative conservation ensure Africa’s natural heritage endures for generations to come.
Wildlife veterinarian Dr Mike Toft working on some of the cheetah.
About The Origins Foundation
The Origins Foundation is a non-profit organisation dedicated to advancing conservation through sustainable use, science, storytelling, education and strategic partnerships.
The Foundation invests in innovative conservation initiatives around the world that deliver measurable ecological outcomes while inspiring people to protect wildlife and wild places.
Read more about Origins here: theoriginsfoundation.org
About The Metapopulation Initiative
The Metapopulation Initiative (TMI) is Africa’s leading cheetah metapopulation management and translocation organisation based in the Limpopo Province. Working alongside governments, protected areas, veterinarians, researchers and conservation partners, TMI coordinates science-based wildlife management programmes that strengthen genetic diversity, restore wildlife populations and improve the long-term resilience of Africa’s ecosystems.
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