Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre – Entertaining and Educational
Since its inception, the outstanding Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre has become a leader in private research as well as breeding of endangered species in South Africa. The Hoedspruit Research and Breeding Centre is located on 100 hectares of land in the beautiful Kapama Private Game Reserve. Not only does the non-profit Endangered Species Centre in Hoedspruit play a vital role in conservation, but it also offers visitors wonderful opportunities to view endangered animals and see the important work taking place at the centre.
When the project was first established it was focused only on breeding of cheetahs. However, it was quickly recognized that a breeding and research centre was needed for other endangered species as well. Thus, the project was expanded to include facilities for other endangered species and so it came to be called the Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre. Today the centre has done much in endangered species research and breeding as well as creating a haven for ill and orphaned animals and doing much to educate the public. The chief objective of the Hoedspruit research and breeding centre is to release endangered African wildlife species back into the wild once their numbers have reached satisfactory amounts.
Visitors to the Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre can enjoy a close-up view of some 70 cheetahs as well as the stunning, rare King Cheetah. Other animals at the centre include wild dog, African wild cat, lion, rhinoceros, serval, black-footed cat and antelope. Guided tours take place throughout the day. These tours are both entertaining and educational. The tour is started off with a video presentation detailing information on the centre’s endangered species as well as research and breeding projects taking place. Patrons can watch as rare African vultures are fed at the “vulture restaurant”. The Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre has top veterinary staff in their animal hospital who take care of injured and abandoned animals that are later returned to the wild. Game drives are also on offer at the Hoedspruit Endangered Species and are followed by lunch or dinner at the Elephant Inn boma or Rhino Inn boma.
Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre also runs an exciting student/volunteer program where people are given the opportunity to play a role in the conservation of endangered species. Volunteers get involved in a number of activities such as preparing food, hand rearing baby animals, working with the wildlife veterinarians, excursions to nearby game reserves, rehabilitation centres and so forth, elephant back safaris, wilderness sleep-outs and lectures on various topics.
As a non-profit organization, the Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre relies heavily on donations, ticket sales and the sale of goods in the curio shop. Why not stop in at this outstanding centre when in the Hoedspruit region, it will be an unforgettable experience.
