June 20, 2024 3:05 a.m.

Wildlife Safari has announced the successful transfer of a cheetah cub, born on June 7th this year, to the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden for fostering.

Public Relations Manager Taylor Holeman said the male cub, which weighed 460 grams at birth, was born to mom Zuri, the #1 genetically valued female cheetah in North America. Holeman said unfortunately Zuri’s litter originally consisted of two cubs, but only one survived. The second was a runt of the litter, born with an umbilical infection, and did not survive. With only one cub, the mother was no longer producing milk to support him, so measures were taken to keep the cub happy and healthy while he got ready to meet his new family.

Holeman said the cub joined a cheetah mother at the Cincinnati Zoo who gave birth to two cubs on June 8th. The transfer marks the second cross-fostering collaboration between Wildlife Safari and the Cincinnati Zoo, and safari’s eighth overall. All previous cross-fostering efforts have been highly successful.

Holeman said prior to his journey, the cub weighed in at a healthy 680 grams, showing remarkable resilience and growth.

The release said the transport of the cub to the Cincinnati Zoo was facilitated by volunteer pilots, Kenneth and Gabrielle Adleman, who have been with Lighthawk Conservation Flying for 15 years, an organization providing aerial support to conservation initiatives. The flight with the cheetah cub is part of an initiative – 50 conservation flights in 50 days.

Holeman said after a cross-country journey with Wildlife Safari Carnivore Lead Keeper, Rachel Linden, the cheetah cub was integrated with his new family where he was accepted right away.

Holeman said Wildlife Safari is grateful to the Cincinnati Zoo for their continued partnership and support in wildlife conservation. She said together, they are ensuring the survival and thriving of cheetah populations across North America.