Breeding Programs

Cheetah

Abo Shamani Wildlife Ranch specializes in the breeding of high value game species and in the conservation of endangered species. As the motto of the Ranch is “In the Spirit of the Cheetah” it seemed appropriate that the inaugural program focused on Cheetahs.

In the beginning of 2007, a decision was made to move one of the males and one of the females into an enclosed area to encourage them to mate in a controlled environment. The Ranch staff now is eagerly awaiting the arrival of the first Cheetah cubs at Abo Shamani Wildlife Ranch.

In April 2007, Abo Shamani made its first cheetah sales. Two of the cheetahs (a male and a female) were selected by Shamwari to purchase. The cheetahs have settled well at Shamwari. Some of Abo Shamani’s future breeding projects include the King Cheetah. The King Cheetah is an extremely rare and strikingly beautiful animal. The main difference between the King Cheetah and the normal standard spotted Cheetah is that its coat pattern differs distinctively. The King Cheetah has spots that run together to form several (usually three) black stripes down its back and has dark patch shaped markings, irregular in size and shape along their sides and flanks. Click here to visit the Gallery or watch a Video.

White Lions

Revered in myths and traditions, White Lions are a symbol of Africa’s spiritual tradition. Yet, to many, white lions are seen as the ultimate hunting trophy and many fall prey to canned hunters.

Scientifically, white lions occur as a result of a recessive gene which means that they are not a separate species. However, their scarcity makes them extremely valuable which causes them to be vulnerable to exploitation and "factory breeding".

In 2006, a decision was made to start a white lion breeding project at Abo Shamani . This was motivated after a visit to an Eastern Cape Lion breeding facility and seeing how appalling the living conditions were. The cubs now live in a spacious enclosure with a natural environment.

Ranch staff are working closely with them to ensure that they form a solid pride that will one day be able to roam free. The Abo Shamani Wildlife Ranch lions all carry the recessive gene which results in the distinctive appearance of the white lions but some of them are not pure white due to the characteristic of the gene. In the future, the Ranch will introduce more lions who also have the white lion gene. It is hoped that this scientific approach to breeding will result in a lion pride that is genetically viable. Click here to visit the Gallery or watch a Video.

Buffalo

Over a hundred years ago, the plains of the Bushman's River Valley were populated by herds of buffalo. However, aggressive hunting soon decimated the herd numbers and by the beginning of the 20th century, buffalo no longer roamed the valley.

This void was filled when, as part of its commitment to the restoration of the Bushman's River Valley, Abo Shamani Wildlife Ranch reintroduced buffalo to the valley in 2006.

Buffalo are not an endangered species but a number of factors are rapidly reducing their numbers. Hunting, diseases such as Tuberculosis and Foot and Mouth disease and the reduction of their traditional grazing lands have caused their numbers to plummet.

The buffalo project at the Ranch aims to restore healthy, disease-free buffalo into the wild and so contribute to the preservation of the species. It is run in conjunction with a member of the Bushman's River Conservancy, Hlosi Game Reserve. This allows for increased genetic diversity as well as increased opportunities for research. Click here to visit the Gallery or watch a Video.