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1. Introduction
My passion and
love for the cheetah motivated me to follow my dream and to
leave my position at the Department of Justice after 22 years of
service. The decision to raise a cheetah was not an impulsive
one, since I have been actively involved with “Friends of the
Zoo” for the past 10 years. During this time I frequently
volunteered to raise orphaned animals for them. After buying
Fiela, I found temporary employment on a game ranch where I
could raise her, but my actual dream entails so much more.
Merely owning a cheetah is not enough – I want to start a
cheetah breeding project, especially considering the fact that
there are only 1000 cheetahs left in the entire Africa.
2. Staff
The breeding
project will only require myself and a very capable assistant: a
man with many years of experience with large predators.
3. Business
Profile
The construction
of a cage that meets all the requirements specified by law, will
cost R85 000. The first year of the project may not generate an
income, but I will also be concentrating on marketing via a
website and attracting corporate sponsors to raise funds for the
project.
Monthly expenses:
|
BUDGET |
|
|
|
|
|
Item |
Amount |
|
|
|
|
Salaries & Wages |
6 000.00 |
|
Consultants & Professional fees |
150.00 |
|
Travel |
1 000.00 |
|
Equipment |
600.00 |
|
Food & Supplies |
2 000.00 |
|
Training |
250.00 |
|
Printing & copying |
150.00 |
|
Cell phone & internet |
700.00 |
|
Postage & Delivery |
300.00 |
|
Rent & utilities |
6 000.00 |
|
In-kind expense |
250.00 |
|
Total expense |
17
400.00 |
Long term
expenses:
Vehicle 150 000.00
2 Cheetahs 70 000.00
4.
Advantages and risks of the project
Introducing
endangered species to people of all ages and creating a concern
for the conservation of the species can effect each generation
to come.
Risks include
animal mortality and monitoring of cheetahs bred in captivity.
Due to the occurrence of inbreeding of cheetahs in captivity,
the genetic material can be of inferior quality, which can
decrease their chances of survival. However, the involvement of
the University of the Free State can influence this positively..
5. Action
plan
Construction of
the cage has already started and the necessary permits have also
been obtained. If all goes well and more cheetahs can be
obtained, breeding can start within in the next year. |
