Cheetah Sasha

LIONSROCK

Cheetah Sasha: a story of resilience

Sasha overcame great adversity to eventually find a safe, forever home 

6.10.2022

The rescue story of Cheetah Sasha, the only resident cheetah at LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary, is one of resilience in the face of great adversity.

Sasha arrived at LIONSROCK on 8 October 2014.

His story begins in August 2011 when a farmer found him close to the Botswana border, after the farmer noticed a sheep carcass with cheetah spoor close by. 

It was suspected that Sasha’s mother was killed in the area, and he was left alone trying to fend for himself.  This would have forced him to prey on sheep as he was hungry and in a terrible condition. 

He was treated by a vet and put under the care of a cheetah custodian. The Endangered Wildlife Trust, which runs a cheetah rewilding programme, was contacted and one-year-old Sasha began the process of trying to bond with other male cheetahs. Unfortunately, all attempts failed.

Cheetah Sasha

After an adaption period Sasha was released in February 2013 into a private game reserve and slowly started to hunt.

In September 2013, just before his move to a new reserve, he was almost fatally injured by a wildebeest. With his left hind leg shattered he had to undergo intensive medical treatment. Unfortunately, amputation was the only way that he would be able to live without constant pain. The Endangered Wildlife Trust asked LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary to give Sasha a permanent home, as he needed a safe place to spend the rest of his life.

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Cheetah Sasha at LIONSROCK

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