Now if I called Riana Van Nieuwenhuizen a crazy cat lady, that would be an understatement. In an effort to combat the growing extinction of cheetahs in Africa, Van Nieuwenhuizen decided to start a breeding center as a full-time job.
Today she has 4 cheetahs, 5 lions and 2 tigers that she takes care of like they’re her children (which they pretty much are…minus the birth thing).
The animals get along just fine and have enough room to still be wild but are rather domestic. Van Nieuwenhuizen allows visitors to come and get pictures taken with the cats, who are quite affable.
She even does unforgettable wedding photos where the bride and groom can snuggle up to one of the large felines. Oh yes, she also has 2 dogs. Check out the gallery of Riana Van Nieuwenhuizen and her beautiful feline (and 2 dogs) family above.
What's Driving This Trend
- Animal Conservation
- Establishing breeding centers for endangered species like cheetahs can contribute to their preservation and combat extinction.
- Domesticated Wild Animals
- Creating spaces where wild animals can still be wild but also have a domesticated lifestyle opens up opportunities for unique visitor experiences and interactions.
- Unconventional Pet Photography
- Offering wedding photos and other customized experiences with large feline animals presents a disruptive innovation in the pet photography industry.
Who This Affects Most
- Zoos and Wildlife Conservation Organizations
- Breeding centers and initiatives focused on preserving endangered species offer new opportunities for zoos and wildlife conservation organizations to collaborate and improve their conservation efforts.
- Tourism and Travel
- Experiences involving interactions with domesticated wild animals provide a unique selling point for tourism and travel businesses, attracting visitors seeking unconventional adventures.
- Photography and Event Planning
- Incorporating large feline animals into wedding photography and other events opens up a niche market in the photography and event planning industries for more unconventional and memorable experiences.
