Two passionate Grade 4 learners of Newberry House Montessori School, Niquita Els and Ivy Prinsloo, along with Ivy’s little sister Lia, embarked on an inspiring school project focused on cheetahs, culminating in an educational visit to Cheetah Outreach in Somerset West.
Driven by their fascination for these magnificent creatures, nine-year-olds Niquita and Ivy chose cheetahs as the subject of their project, eager to delve deeper into their world, particularly the crucial conservation efforts aimed at protecting them.
Their visit to Cheetah Outreach provided a unique opportunity to interact with the incredible animals first-hand and gain valuable insight into the challenges they face in the wild. The experience clearly left a lasting impression on the young conservationists.
“They are really fascinating creatures,” declared Niquita, a sentiment echoed by Ivy, highlighting the importance of their visit, “to learn more, especially about conservation efforts”.
Beyond their personal learning journey, the girls are determined to use their project to make a difference. They are passionate about raising awareness on the plight of cheetahs and the devastating impact of human activities on their populations.
“We want to create awareness for people, as it’s heartbreaking that these animals are getting killed,” Ivy emphasised, articulating both girls’ heartfelt concern for the future of these vulnerable animals. “Awareness is important to us.”
Following the visit, the learners expressed a clear understanding of the role they have to play. “We need to start working with conservationists to help prevent the extinction of these marvelous animals,” said Niquita with no less passion.
“Children should be educated so we can spread awareness; we are not too young to make a difference. I think it is really cool that dogs are trained to work with our farmers to save the cheetah and protect farm animals. If we all work together, we can make a difference.”
Ivy added that cheetahs are beautiful animals. “We have learnt so many interesting facts from Dawn and Toni at the Cheetah Outreach.
“Did you know, for instance, that a cheetah’s head has 200 spots and 2 000 altogether? I think all children should have a chance to experience this place and gain knowledge about the endangered species it seeks to protect.”
Dawn Glover, manager of Cheetah Outreach, acknowledged the importance of the children’s project. “Our natural biodiversity is not just a resource; it is our children’s inheritance. If we fail to cultivate awareness now, future politicians and businessmen may lack the emotional bond necessary to prioritise the cheetah’s preservation,” she explained.
“By providing small groups with first-hand experiences in conservation, we aim to create a future population that is not only well-informed but deeply invested in protecting its natural heritage.”
