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Miracle of a Cheetah’s Heart

At Fossil Rim we don’t take the word “miracle” lightly. Sometimes the laws of the wild are immutable and would seem to be cruel; however, on occasion, those harsh laws can be softened at a Cheetah’s discretion out of compassion for an orphan cub. This is a story of a mother who saved two cubs in a rare act of true motherhood.

Cinnabar, a Fossil Rim cheetah, gave birth to three cubs early this fall. Although she was a first-time mother, Cinnabar nursed her young and gave them all the attention and care one would expect of a more experienced mom.

Within days, the Cincinnati Zoo contacted Fossil Rim with news of a cheetah there that had just given birth to a single male—and refused to nurse it. Typically, cheetahs will not care for a single cub.

Might Fossil Rim have a new mother who could adopt the cub and make it part of her pride? Such adoptions are very rare, but it was the cub’s only chance for survival.

Fossil Rim agreed to try. The cub was rushed here and shortly upon arriving, staff members Mary Jo Stearns and Molly Hurst introduced him to Cinnabar. Within hours, the foster cub was nursing alongside Cinnabar’s three offspring.

Soon, another Fossil Rim female cheetah, Sunshine, gave birth to two young. Sadly one of the cubs perished during a storm which left one cub. Knowing that Sunshine might not take care of a single cub, Mary Jo knew a new home must be found for the still healthy cub so she introduced it to Cinnabar and her family.

At first, Cinnabar rejected the cub. Our staff knew that leaving it to nature was the only option. As it turned out it was the right choice. Less than two hours later, Cinnabar brought the cub into the den with the others, nursed it and made it part of her family.

Cinnabar was now nursing five young—three biological and two adopted. The miracle of a mother’s heart overcame all obstacles.

This fall Fossil Rim’s 115th cheetah cub was born. This could never have happened without our dedicated staff and supporters like you. The gifts you have showered on us are something of a miracle in their own right.

They have helped us not only maintain this endangered species but to also maintain genetic diversity and purity within the population.

If you care about the efforts and successes happening at Fossil Rim year round, please become part of the miracle by supporting our programs with a generous donation. Of all the animals you’ll be helping, no one will appreciate it more than Cinnabar and her five cubs.

Please make a donation now.