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Update on Our 'Miracle' Cheetahs

When the food comes, she will “chirrup” for her babies to come to her. From there it is a matter of “cheetah see, cheetah do”. Learning by example is the primary way of the wild. Growing up in Africa the baby cheetahs will hide in the grass, safe from predators, until mom calls them to come share the prey she has just brought down for lunch. Today these cheetahs are getting about 10 lbs. of meat daily for the 6 of them. The babies are also still nursing. They have shot up from their birth weight of about 1 pound to around 10 pounds now

Our carnivore specialist, Mary Jo, tells me that the five babies are acting like litter mates. By behavioral observation there would be no way to know they weren’t related. On January 22 they received their 16 week vaccinations, this should be the last time Mary Jo, and Molly will have to catch them up for shots. After this, vaccinations will be accomplished through blow darting as the cheetahs come in for food. The accompanying picture was taken by Darryl Morris, our Director of Support Services. Mary Jo said they were out in the snow playing but she couldn’t say that they were enjoying it as they did stay in their heated buildings when it got really cold. Mom and babies are doing remarkably well and we will keep you posted on their progress.