Brendy’s Story: Honoring My Dad with the Cheetah Conservation Fund

In early March 2025, the Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF) received two orphaned cheetah cubs into their care. Brothers, they had lost their mother in the wild. This is an unfortunately common occurrence in Namibia, where cheetah cub mortality in the first year can exceed 90% due to human-wildlife conflict, illegal wildlife trade and poaching, predation, and loss of habitat and prey.

During CCF’s initial veterinary assessment by Dr. Robin Gieling, one cub presented with a noticeable valgus deformity of his left carpal joint. An x-ray indicated that the condition was most likely due to ligament laxity – a loosening of the connective tissues that normally stabilize the joint. In juvenile cheetahs, such instability can compromise mobility and potentially hinder normal development. To mitigate further strain and guide proper alignment during growth, CCF’s veterinary team applied a custom splint for support.

In April 2025, I was able to return to CCF with my husband; my first time back since working as an intern in the genetics laboratory in the summer of 2018 (I shared my experiences in my first blog post “The Dung & DNA Diaries: My Time at CCF” ), and his first time in Africa. We had been following the cubs’ story on social media, and meeting them in-person was an unforgettable experience! While both displayed the characteristic curiosity and vigilance of young cheetahs, we were especially drawn to the cub in the splint. He appeared determined not to let anything slow him down, jumping and racing around his protective enclosure!

We asked CCF if we could sponsor him, and were ecstatic when they agreed! We named him Brendy, in honor of my dad who passed away in 2023 after a thirty-year battle with Parkinson’s disease. In his youth, he was a brilliant athlete, playing on the 1961 All-Ireland Junior Championship hurling team, representing County Kerry – an achievement comparable to winning the World Series or Super Bowl. Parkinson’s disease gradually impaired his mobility in his later years, but he never lost his inspiring spirit. Naming one of the fastest land animals on Earth after him felt like a fitting tribute.

In July 2025, we had the opportunity to return to CCF, much sooner than we could ever have anticipated! We were enroute to Etosha National Park to work with Dr. Caitlin O’Connell-Rodwell, a renowned elephant communication and behavior expert. We stayed at the beautiful Babson House for the night. Brendy and his sibling currently inhabit a secure enclosure directly under the balcony, allowing for such an intimate and unforgettable experience to be so close.

Our visit also included reconnecting with staff (who have come beloved friends), observing feeding routines, and learning more about the integration of veterinary care, genetics research, and education in CCF’s conservation model. We also learned how individual cub’s stories – like Brendy’s – fit into their larger effort to preserve genetic and biodiversity, support wild populations and habitats, and educate local communities in the hopes of mitigating human-animal conflict.

While it was profoundly difficult to drive away from Brendy (a few tears were shed), we know he is in the best possible care at a trusted organization that epitomizes scientific innovation, compassion, and dedication.

Thank goodness we are already planning a return trip soon!