Vincent van der Merwe, a globally recognised conservationist and a key figure in India’s ambitious Project Cheetah, was found dead in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The 42-year-old’s body was discovered in the hallway of his apartment with a head injury. While officials have ruled out foul play, his family has publicly disputed this claim, suggesting the possibility of a more complex situation.
Crucial role in Project Cheetah
Van der Merwe played a pivotal role in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s dream initiative, Project Cheetah, which sought to reintroduce cheetahs to India’s Kuno National Park. He was responsible for overseeing the relocation and acclimatisation of cheetahs from South Africa and Namibia—an intricate process fraught with legal and logistical challenges. Despite these obstacles, he remained a steadfast advocate for the project’s success.
Born in 1983 in South Africa, Vincent van der Merwe devoted his life to wildlife conservation, forging an extraordinary career in conservation biology. As the director of The Metapopulation Initiative (TMI), he played a leading role in managing and expanding cheetah populations across fragmented habitats. His expertise was instrumental in reintroducing cheetahs to various reserves, promoting genetic diversity, and ensuring the species’ long-term survival.
What began with 217 cheetahs across 41 wildlife reserves in South Africa has expanded significantly under his leadership. Today, the initiative protects 537 cheetahs across 75 reserves in South Africa, as well as in Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique. His work also led to a historic milestone—the first successful transcontinental reintroduction of cheetahs to India.
Despite setbacks in India, including the unfortunate deaths of some relocated cheetahs, Vincent remained committed to the project’s long-term vision. His unwavering dedication and expertise in managing wildlife populations continue to inspire conservation efforts across the globe.