Historic Partnership Powers the Next Era of Cheetah Conservation in Africa
The Origins Foundation announces a five-year strategic partnership with The Metapopulation Initiative, providing long-term support to expand science-based cheetah conservation, wildlife translocations, and biodiversity initiatives across Southern Africa.
SOUTH AFRICA — July 1, 2026 — The Origins Foundation today announced a landmark five-year strategic partnership with The Metapopulation Initiative (TMI), establishing the Foundation as the organization’s primary funding partner and helping usher in a new era of science-based cheetah conservation across Africa.
The long-term partnership will provide TMI with the stability needed to expand field operations, strengthen metapopulation management, support wildlife translocations, and accelerate biodiversity conservation throughout Southern Africa. More than a funding commitment, the partnership represents a shared investment in collaborative conservation, scientific innovation, and the long-term health of Africa’s ecosystems.
The announcement follows one of the most significant periods in TMI’s history. Working alongside government authorities, reserve managers, veterinarians, conservation organizations, and landowners, TMI successfully translocated 16 cheetahs across international borders into Mozambique and led the first successful reintroduction of cheetahs into the Kingdom of Eswatini after the species had been locally extinct for more than four decades.
Those milestones demonstrate the impact of coordinated, science-driven conservation. The new partnership is designed to build on that momentum by providing the long-term support necessary to expand TMI’s work across Africa.
“Conservation success is built over decades, not funding cycles,” said Robbie Kroger, Founder of The Origins Foundation. “The Metapopulation Initiative has demonstrated that strategic partnerships, sound science, and collaboration can restore wildlife populations once thought to be in decline. We are proud to stand beside TMI as they continue shaping the future of carnivore conservation across Africa.”
Founded to coordinate the management of fragmented cheetah populations, TMI has become Africa’s leading organization dedicated to metapopulation management. By applying rigorous science, genetic planning, veterinary expertise, and coordinated wildlife translocations, the organization works to establish healthy, self-sustaining cheetah populations while supporting broader ecosystem resilience.
The partnership also honors the legacy of the late Vincent van der Merwe, whose pioneering vision transformed cheetah metapopulation management throughout Southern Africa and laid the foundation for many of today’s conservation successes.
“This generous support secures and expands our critical field operations, strengthens metapopulation management, drives range expansion, and enables broader carnivore and biodiversity conservation initiatives across Africa and beyond.” said Kulani Nyakane. “Thank you for standing with us. Together, we are securing a brighter future for cheetahs and Africa’s wild landscapes.”
Over the next five years, The Origins Foundation’s investment will support expanded wildlife translocations, enhanced management, strengthened veterinary and field operations, increased biodiversity initiatives, and continued collaboration with governments, protected areas, scientists, and conservation partners throughout Africa.
Together, The Origins Foundation and The Metapopulation Initiative share a vision of a future where thriving wildlife populations, healthy ecosystems, and collaborative conservation ensure that Africa’s natural heritage endures for generations to come.
For more information: https://theoriginsfoundation.org/conservation-projects/cheetah-conservation-program/
About The Origins Foundation
The Origins Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing conservation through sustainable use, science, storytelling, education, and strategic partnerships. The Foundation invests in innovative conservation initiatives around the world that deliver measurable ecological outcomes while inspiring people to protect wildlife and wild places.
About The Metapopulation Initiative
The Metapopulation Initiative (TMI) is Africa’s leading cheetah metapopulation management and translocation organization. Working alongside governments, protected areas, veterinarians, researchers, and conservation partners, TMI coordinates science-based wildlife management programs that strengthen genetic diversity, restore wildlife populations, and improve the long-term resilience of Africa’s ecosystems.
http://themetapopulationinitiative.org/
Media Contacts
Africa: Emily Vermaak
The Origins Foundation
emily@theoriginsfoundation.org
+27 60 506 7243
US: Peter Kelly
Ship To Shore Communications
+1 769 257 4385