A lone baby cheetah at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden has found a new family. The male foster cub was the sole offspring of his biological mother, putting him at risk due to insufficient stimulation for lactation. To improve his chances of survival, the zoo’s staff transferred him to the care of another mother cheetah named Etosha, who recently gave birth to two cubs. The single cub arrived from Oregon and was relocated to the zoo’s off-site breeding center for further care and integration into the new family unit.
“We coordinate with the other cheetah breeding centers to ensure that litters are born closely together, facilitating cross-fostering situations with cubs of similar ages,” explained Tom Tenhundfeld, head keeper at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden’s Cheetah Breeding Center. This strategic approach has proven successful in the past, including the integration of the most genetically valuable cub in the North American cheetah population. The introduction of the lone cub to his new family took place smoothly, with the foster mother responding positively to the addition.
After a brief period in an incubator, the cub was officially welcomed into the litter on June 18. Observations of the new family dynamics have indicated that the foster mother is nursing all three cubs and displaying attentive maternal behavior. “It’s a good thing that cheetahs can’t count!” joked Tenhundfeld. An update provided on June 25 confirmed that the mom and her three cubs were thriving, nursing well, and gaining weight steadily.
The zoo has granted naming rights for the new cub to Lighthawk Conservation Flying, the company responsible for transporting him from Oregon to Cincinnati. This collaborative effort underscores the importance of conservation initiatives in safeguarding endangered species like cheetahs. Over the past century, the global cheetah population has plummeted from 100,000 to a mere 7,000 individuals, prompting urgent conservation action.
Cincinnati Zoo has been actively involved in cheetah conservation efforts for many years, working in partnership with organizations across Africa to support the species’ long-term survival. While the cheetah cubs are currently receiving private care, visitors to the zoo have the opportunity to observe other cheetahs on a daily basis. This experience offers an insight into the behavior and characteristics of these magnificent animals, highlighting the critical need for continued conservation efforts to protect them for future generations.
For more Lifestyle articles and updates, you can visit www.foxnews.com/lifestyle. Don’t miss the chance to learn more about the fascinating world of wildlife conservation and the tireless efforts of organizations like the Cincinnati Zoo to ensure the well-being and prosperity of endangered species like the cheetah.
