Lisbon Zoo is spotted more and more!
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The Cheetah (Acinonix jubatus) emerged 4 million years ago, before all the other big cat species. The Cheetah is the worlds’ fastest land animal over short distances. It can reach speeds of up to 75 km/hour in just 2 seconds and can run at 100 km/hour for 300 to 500 metres. But not even its speed records can save it from the threat of extinction. The Cheetah today is in a race for its survival on Earth. The species is already extinct in 13 countries where once thrived. The total global population is less than 15 000 with a decrease of 30% in just the last 20 years.
Man is undoubtedly the greatest threat of all diminishing their habitat through his own expansion, hunting for the purposes of illegal traffic and persecution. There are other reasons why the Cheetah’s status is fragile, on the border of extinction. Competition with other large predators such as Lions and Leopards, and little variation in the genetic pool of the Cheetah population make it susceptible to disease and ecological or environmental changes.
The Cheetah is one of those species that depend upon reproduction outside of their own habitat to survive. The risk of Image may be NSFW.
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extinction is very high so reproduction through human care may be the solution. The most viable form of protection for the species seems to be to halt the decline, breed and allow for reintroduction into its natural habitat. However, the birth of cheetah cubs is a rare occurrence and while some wildlife species breed easily under human care, the Cheetah represents a huge scientific challenge. In 2010, of the 90 European institutions with cheetahs, only 9 had been successful in breeding. The Lisbon Zoo became committed to this objective and invested in a new facility designed to be as close as possible to the natural habitat, and set up to allow for proper reproductive management, adequate nutrition and environmental enrichment. This area and the care of keepers and veterinarians were the key to success. The Lisbon Zoo is proud to contribute with 5 new cheetah cubs!
Come to the Zoo and share this joy with us.
