A mother cheetah at Burgers’ Zoo in the Netherlands is busy caring for her lively litter of six cubs, born on September 14.
These charming little cheetahs have been kept behind the scenes in a den designed to mimic their natural habitat for their first few months. Recently, they have taken their first steps outside to explore the world around them.
This is not the first time this mother has welcomed a large litter. According to the coordinator of the European breeding program for cheetahs, it is uncommon for cheetah litters to consist of six cubs, with only about 5% reaching this size. Generally, cheetah mothers give birth to three or four cubs at a time.
While still nursing, the cubs have introduced meat into their diet. They display the characteristic gray “mantle” of young cheetahs, a feature that helps with camouflage. As they mature, they will lose this mantle.
Cheetahs are renowned as the fastest land mammals, capable of sprinting up to 70 mph over short distances.
However, their population has significantly declined due to poaching, habitat destruction, and human activities.
With fewer than 8,000 cheetahs left in Africa, they are classified as Vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
This species is also a priority in wildlife trafficking prevention efforts across northeastern Africa.
Breeding programs in zoos like Burgers’ Zoo are essential for protecting these incredible animals for future generations.
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