Westlake resident labors for cheetahs





By Michelle Knight
knight@theacorn.com

April Davis leads a double life. By day, she’s a demure occupational therapist, but by night, the Westlake Village resident works to save the world’s dwindling population of wild cheetahs.


Davis fell in love with the planet’s fastest land animal during a trip to South Africa several years ago. She came into contact with the conservation group Cheetah Outreach while on a wine-tasting tour at a private estate and decided to work for the cause.


According to Cheetah Outreach, there were 100,000 cheetahs living in 44 African and Asian countries about a century ago. Now, estimates place their numbers at less than 10,000 worldwide and fewer than 600 in South Africa.


Cheetah Outreach was launched in 1997 to secure the cheetah’s future by building a sense of ownership among the next generation of South Africans.


With the numbers of many wild animals diminishing and others kept on private preserves, many South Africans have never seen the animals native to their own country.


Davis had worked for two years as a veterinarian technician while going to college and at one time planned to become a veterinarian. She applied to be an international Outreach volunteer and was accepted. She returned to South Africa last November and trained and worked with cheetahs for the next several months.


Davis swelled with pride when she learned that Americans were generous supporters of South African animal preservation movements. Now back in the United States, Davis wants to hold a dinner and an auction to raise funds for the group’s research and education programs.


The San Diego Zoo, among others, agreed to offer their support.


"It shows that one person can do it if you put your mind to it," Davis said


Davis also lined up support from several Hollywood notables. Dan Haggerty, star of the 1970s TV show "Grizzly Adams," will be master of ceremonies, while actor Patrick Swayze agreed to serve as honorary co-chair.


Members of MTV’s "Wild Boys" are scheduled to appear, and actress Stephanie Powers, representing the William Holden Wildlife Foundation, agreed to make an appearance as well. However, Davis learned recently that Powers and Swayze might have scheduling conflicts.


Undaunted, Davis said she still hopes to sell enough tickets to cover the costs and raise money for the cash-strapped organization. She’s hoping a recent article written about her in the August issue of Cat Fancy magazine will help. "If one person does something, just a tiny little bit, it helps," Davis said.


The event also will honor Cheetah Outreach founder Annie Beckhelling of South Africa.


For tickets and information on Cheetah Outreach 2004 Race for Survival dinner and auction on Sept. 19 at the Le Meridien Hotel at Beverly Hills, contact Davis at (805) 358-4222 or through e-mail at addavis78@yahoo.com.



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