by Mary Wykstra

Guy Combes and Paul Thomson picked me at the airport late in the evening. We stayed at Guy’s home in New Jersey. From there we drove to Connecticut to visit Guy’s publisher, Grenwich Workshop and Yale University. On the 14th Guy and I presented jointly on the collaborative efforts in habitat monitoring through Soysambu conservancy and ACK. We encouraged students to pursue degrees in all varieties of habitat change, climate change and wildlife and natural resource management to consider either programme for MSc or PhD research. Our baseline cheetah research is supported by many zoos and captive cheetah programmes play a huge role in education of people about the plight of the cheetah. Students can assist in many levels of research and Soysambu Conservancy has always been involved in our work, from the time we were based on the farm until now.

I also met with some faculty to discuss possibilities for me in becoming a Yale student. I have filed the application and now await acceptance into the One Year Masters - mid career programme.... wish me luck!

Guy and I joined Stacy Fiorentinos from Classic Escapes in Manhattan on the 15th of October. Classic Escapes has been a long term supporter of CCF and ACK efforts in cheetah research. Tourists booking through Classic Escapes have an option of a cheetah talk by ACK during their safari. Classic Escapes also supported the initiation of our cheetah scout programme in Salama and the purchase of one radio collar for placement on a cheetah in the Salama area. Stacy treated us to a fantastic Greek meal. Guy and I returned to his home in NJ and on the morning of the 16th Guy drove me through the myriad of toll stations to the Newark airport. This was finally the end of the official fund raising and the start of a five day Holiday with my family.