Tourists traveling in the Cape Town area of South Africa often make the scenic drive through wine country, which is where Cheetah Outreach is located. Founded in 1997 by Annie Beckhelling, Cheetah Outreach started off as an educational project, bringing ambassador cheetahs to the public. Since then, it has grown to a facility that trains captive bred cheetahs for other international organizations, expanded its outreach and also cares for caracal, serval, bat-eared foxes and jackals.

Annie is highly dedicated to the cause of conservation. Last December, when I discovered a stall in Cape Town’s Greenmarket Square trying sell a cheetah skin, she was the first person to respond and take action within less than twenty-four hours. Annie is also a member of many wildlife forums, taking part in the larger discussions on the future plans of range-wide conservation initiatives.