A brand new Discovery Channel documentary, Return of the Cheetah Half 2, takes viewers deep into the Horn of Africa, the place conservationists, filmmakers and rugged terrain collide in a race to save lots of one in every of Africa’s most endangered massive cats.
Premiering globally on 20 December, the movie paperwork an actual life rescue operation aimed toward dismantling unlawful cheetah cub trafficking networks and defending the species from extinction.
Contained in the rescue mission
Filmed throughout Somaliland and Namibia, the documentary follows a fancy wildlife rescue led by the Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF) in partnership with JETOUR AUTO. On the coronary heart of the operation is the interception of cheetah cubs stolen from the wild and destined for the unlawful unique pet commerce.
Based on CCF analysis, tons of of cubs are trafficked from the Horn of Africa every year. Fewer than one in 5 survive the journey. Every profitable rescue represents a uncommon victory for a species whose inhabitants continues to say no at an alarming charge.
A important hub for cheetah conservation
The mission centres on CCF’s Cheetah Rescue and Conservation Centre within the Horn of Africa, which gives emergency care, rehabilitation and long run sanctuary for confiscated cheetahs. The power at the moment cares for greater than 125 rescued cheetahs, making it the most important operation of its sort globally.
Since increasing operations to Somaliland in 2016, CCF has labored alongside native authorities to disrupt smuggling routes, rescue cubs from dire situations and scale back demand for cheetahs as pets. The documentary captures the depth of this work and the delicate situation of most of the animals upon arrival.
CCF founder and govt director Dr Laurie Marker explains the urgency of the mission, saying each rescue brings the species one step again from the brink.
Excessive terrain and the position of expertise
A lot of the rescue work takes place in distant areas with restricted infrastructure, harsh climates and tough terrain. Poaching networks function removed from principal roads, typically in areas which might be almost inaccessible.
All through the expedition, the JETOUR G700 SUV proved important. Its all terrain capabilities supported the transport of provides, personnel and gear throughout unforgiving landscapes, permitting groups to succeed in areas that will in any other case be inaccessible.
Picture: Equipped
Conservation with a worldwide viewers
Return of the Cheetah Half 2 kinds a part of JETOUR’s Wilderness Documentary initiative, created to lift consciousness round endangered species safety. Filmed by a Discovery Channel crew, the documentary blends conservation storytelling with on the bottom realities, highlighting each the resilience of the cheetahs and the individuals combating for his or her survival.
Offered by internationally famend naturalist Hazen Audel, the movie explores why cheetahs matter past their magnificence and pace.
Why cheetahs matter
As apex predators, cheetahs play a significant position in sustaining ecosystem stability. Their presence helps biodiversity and strengthens the resilience of arid landscapes already below stress from local weather change.
Dr Marker notes that cheetahs now occupy simply 9 % of their historic vary. Habitat loss, human wildlife battle and the unlawful pet commerce proceed to push the species nearer to extinction. Defending cheetahs shouldn’t be solely an ecological precedence but additionally an financial one, significantly for international locations like Namibia the place conservation helps tourism and sustainable livelihoods.
Greater than a documentary
Past the rescues, the movie delivers a broader message about humanity’s relationship with nature and the shared accountability to guard weak species. It additionally highlights CCF’s expanded training and coaching initiatives in Somaliland, which concentrate on neighborhood engagement and long run conservation options.
Worldwide Broadcast Schedule(All instances native to area)
Discovery SEA | 20 Dec | 19:35Animal Planet SEA | 20 Dec | 20:30Discovery Center East | 20 Dec | 21:00Discovery Africa | 20 Dec | 20:30Animal Planet LATAM | 21 Dec | 20:00Discovery LATAM | 22 Dec | 19:30
Streaming entry is anticipated by way of Discovery+ and Max in 2026, relying on area.
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