Cheetah cubs growing up in Dubbo

Cheetah cubs growing up in Dubbo

Taronga Western Plains Zoo’s Cheetah cubs are continuing to grow in leaps and bounds, under the watchful eye of first-time mother, Halla.The Cheetah cubs are now two months old and are starting to regularly venture outside of the den with Halla and spend time exploring and playing in their yard. “Halla is still very protective of her cubs and keeps them close by her side. She is showing all the right maternal behaviours and we are really happy with the cubs progress so far,” said Cheetah Keeper, Jennifer Conaghan.“We are still monitoring the cubs via the video link but are now starting to see Halla and her cubs out and about in the yard as we undertake our daily routine.”“The cubs are starting to be more playful, wrestling with each other and climbing over Halla along with the tree trunks and limbs in their yard,” said Jennifer.As the cubs continue to grow and develop they will start to learn the necessary natural behaviours needed to become an adult Cheetah such as hunting, communication and socialisation skills.Cheetah are notoriously difficult to breed. Taronga Western Plains Zoo was the first institution in Australia to successfully breed Cheetah and has since had a number of litters including births in 2005, 2008 and 2010. This success is a testament to the animal husbandry expertise and experience of staff at the Zoo.Keepers and veterinary staff will vaccinate and give the Cheetah cubs a health check in January 2014. Following the vaccination the Cheetah cubs are expected to be on exhibit with mum, Halla in February 2014.