I met Lente Roode in October 2006 while preparing my first book, “African Encounters.” She founded and directs the Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre, renowned for its cheetah breeding program. Over time, she expanded her breeding efforts to include other endangered species, such as African wildcats, wild dogs, black ibises, and paradise cranes.
Lente received her first cheetah at the age of 6: a small cub named Sebaka, whose mother was shot by a neighboring farmer. Decades later, in 2006, Lente was accredited by CITES as a cheetah breeder. Between these two significant events lies a lot of hard work, courage, and dedication to the cause of animal conservation. For this gentle yet determined woman, the challenge is a daily one.
The story begins in 1985, when the Roode family purchased a farm near Hoedspruit, adjacent to the family estate where Lente had discovered nature and wildlife as a child. Passionate about cheetahs, she wanted to welcome them to her land and naturally turned to Desmond Varaday, a renowned cheetah breeder she had known since childhood. To her surprise, Desmond asked her to take in his 35 cheetahs, as he felt too old and had complete confidence in Lente. The adventure began. With Desmond’s help and the support of Professor David Meltzer from the Onderstepoort Veterinary Faculty, Lente established the Hoedspruit Cheetah Project within a year. It took another year for the cheetahs to adapt to their new environment, and the center opened to the public in 1990. Over time, with unwavering support from Professor Meltzer, Lente expanded her efforts to include other endangered species, such as wild dogs, which are misunderstood and often exterminated. Each day remains a challenge for Lente, whose fight intensified after losing the support of her husband, who passed away suddenly. She carries on with quiet strength, driven by her love for animals, and her commitment is total.
“I have to fight, but I will continue my work,” she explained to me in her soft voice, marked by determination. The same resolve was evident when she spoke of her cheetahs reintroduced throughout South Africa. “I must continually follow up on them, it’s important. Those who have taken in our cheetahs can reach me day or night, and I am always ready to come back and take care of them.”
Read the chapter from my book “African Encounters,” published in 2008 and now out of print, dedicated to Lente’s work. (Use the keyboard arrows or the sides of the screen to turn the pages)
