The Hoedspruit Cheetah Project was originally founded with the aim of breeding cheetahs. This species remains for focal concern at the Centre. After the infrastructure and holding facilities had been established, African wild cats, black-footed cats (small spotted cats), African wild dogs and blue cranes were incorporated into the breeding programme too (necessitating a name change of the Centre to the Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre).

The Centre keeps detailed “studybooks” of these species, as prescribed by the central organization - World Association of Zoos and Aquaria (WASA), with its regional branch (The Pan African Association of Zoos, Aquaria and Botanical Gardens (PAAZAB).