Research & Philosophy
Wildlife Conservation Trust

WCT supports and promotes research related to endangered species.

Our Philosophy

The WCT supports and promotes research related to endangered species. It encourages research that will benefit the conservation of species, and particularly those in captivity, with the intention to serve as gene pools for supplementing genetic heterogeneity in free-ranging species under threat.

Since its inception, The Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre has had a history of supporting research in the fields of nutrition, breeding, and management. Researchers from various academic institutions published more than 30 scientific papers in scientific journals or as the proceedings of congresses, symposia, or workshops.

Our Philosophy

WCT supports and promotes research related to endangered species. It encourages research that will benefit the conservation of species, and particularly those in captivity, with the intention to serve as gene pools for supplementing genetic heterogeneity in free-ranging species under threat.

Since its inception, The Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre has had a history of supporting research in the fields of nutrition, breeding, and management. Researchers from various academic institutions published more than 30 scientific papers in scientific journals or as the proceedings of congresses, symposia, or workshops.

Researchers at HESC are typically affiliated with an academic or research institution and include postgraduate students in those institutions. They are subject to their institutional rules regulating research, and to those of HESC. Study leaders are normally employed by the respective institution.

WCT aligns itself with the philosophy that underpins research internationally and within the context of the rules directing the ethics of using animals for research and with attention to their welfare. To regulate these matters, WCT and HESC has a Research Committee (RC) to assess the quality of the science conducted and to approve protocols before commencement of any research, and an independent Animal Use and Care Committee (AUCC) to oversee the ethics of all activities at the Centre, including research and management of animals at the Centre

Requests for research opportunities can send an email to animalcare@cheetahcentre.co.za.

Science has the power to change the world. Through the funding of research projects, the WCT supports and invests in scientific research that advances wildlife conservation. Several studies has been overseen and a study database can be found via the following links:

Research students can apply for a grant or assistance, however progress reports are a critical tool for ongoing evaluation, as well as a means of feedback to donors and stakeholders about the success of WCT-funded research.

Research Criteria & Philosophy

The following research policy governs research at HESC:

The use of animals and animal products at HESC for research purposes shall be subject to the Centre’s research policy, and will be in accordance with the international standards for the use of animals for experimental purposes.

The HESC Research and the Animal Use and Care Committees (AUCC) must approve all research, irrespective of animal involvement, conducted at HESC, after the relevant committees in the Institution to which the investigator is affiliated have approved the protocols.
Research by competent private individuals will not be considered unless adequate reasons can be given for the purpose, and that the results will be published in a reputable scientific journal subject to peer evaluation.

Consideration for the approval of any research can only be given after receipt of a complete research protocol (proposal) providing the required background information, justification of the work to be done, methodology, and routes of dissemination of the information gained by the specific research.

Each protocol should also include a full budget and an indication of the source of funding, taking into consideration that all expenses related to the study (including accommodation and travel) should be included.
It is important to keep in mind that HESC does not provide research funding and support, and all costs (including laboratory investigations, accommodation, travel, meals, professional veterinary costs and cost of materials) related to the study should be provided by the researcher.

The study can only commence once it has been approved by the relevant committees, and proof of the source of funding (and its approval) has been provided.

All applications for research should be submitted to the Chairperson of the Research Committee, who will have the responsibility of circulating the application to the relevant committee members (Research and AUCC) for scrutiny and recommendation for approval.
These recommendations are then tabled at the monthly HESC management meeting for final approval.

Research conducted at HESC should benefit the animals at the Centre, and the information thus gained must be published in a reputable scientific journal (including electronic media such as PLOS One, or similar electronic media). HESC should be acknowledged in all these publications.
Should an employee of HESC make an intellectual contribution to the research, the name of this person should be included in the list of authors of the publication in accordance with conventions governing the sequence of these names.

Once the research protocol has been approved, the day-to-day management of the project becomes the responsibility of the head curator. Any deviation from the protocol or change to the protocol following the start of the project must be reported to the chairperson of the Research Committee.
The curator will report on the status and progress of each research project on a monthly basis. These reports must be tabled at the monthly Management Meeting.
A marked deviation from the protocol, for whatever reason, may be cause for the project to be terminated.

The veterinarian attending to the animals at HESC will do all veterinary work in any research project.

Nutritional Management of Cheetah’s in Captivity

Researcher | Marthie Nickols

Organisation | University of Pretoria

Marthie Nickols is studying at the University of Pretoria, and is busy with her Masters degree in MSc (agric.) animal science: production physiology. She was born on the 6th of March 1990, and grew up in Pretoria.

Nutritional Management of Cheetah's

Marthie Nickols is studying at the University of Pretoria, and is busy with her Masters degree in MSc (agric.) animal science: production physiology. She was born on the 6^th of March 1990, and grew up in Pretoria.

Marthie presented a review covering the impact that nutrition has on the health and well being of the cheetah, including its role in a number of diseases that are only seen in captive cheetah. She described how management of cheetah facilities had to be adapted and adjusted in order to improve the psychological health of the cheetah, as well as to prevent diseases such as metabolic bone disease, gastritis and kidney failure.

Metabolic bone disease occurs when animals consume too much phosphorus in their diet in relation to calcium, resulting in bone minerals being reabsorbed by the body, weakening the bone in the process.

Gastritis, on the other hand, is often caused by bacteria in the stomach known as Helicobacter, although it can also be caused by stress. Animals suffering from gastritis feel nauseous, may vomit and lose weight.

Professor Webb went on to describe the research he has been doing in the role of magnesium in the animals’ food, and the supplement he has helped to develop – specifically designed for the cheetahs at HESC. He showed how magnesium helps the body absorb calcium, while decreasing the amount of phosphorus absorbed (remember, metabolic bone disease), increasing the volume of urine produced and reducing the amount of minerals in the urine. This all aids in reducing the risk of kidney or bladder stones developing.

Professor Webb is part of the advisory committee that assists the Centre in caring for and ensuring that the cheetahs are at their healthiest.

Protocol WIP Genetics for MSc | UP
Protocol WIP Karien Smit | MSc Hons Anim Sci, UP

Research & Philosophy Wildlife Conservation Trust

Our Philosophy

Research Criteria & Philosophy

Nutritional Management of Cheetah’s in Captivity

Research & Philosophy
Wildlife Conservation Trust