For the first time in over a century, cheetahs are returning to Zambia’s Bangweulu Swamps. This is the extraordinary journey of Mabaibai, a resilient female from KwaZulu-Natal, and her mate, Impi. Brought together on a reserve in South Africa, the conservation mission was simple in vision but fraught with the unpredictable challenges of the wild. From the heartbreak of losing an entire litter to lions, to the tense rescue of Impi after being driven off by the same lions, the path to success was anything but certain. Yet nature offered a second chance, five new cubs, hidden carefully away. Against the odds, two survived to adulthood, ready for the long journey to a land their species hasn’t roamed in generations.
Through triumphs, setbacks, and moments of breathtaking beauty, this is not just a story of conservation science; it is a story of resilience, courage, and the fight to keep the wild alive.