The Metro Richmond Zoo is pleased to announce the birth of 7 cheetah cubs! Vaila, a second-time mother, gave birth to septuplets on November 30, 2018!
This is a very special birth to us because not only is it a big boost for Cheetah conservation by increasing the population living in zoological parks, but also a cheetah having 7 cubs at once only happens 1% of the time! In addition, the sire is Kalu, a first-time dad who was born and raised here at the Metro Richmond Zoo.
All 7 cubs have had several checkups and their first set of shots. They are in great health and growing fast!! Vaila and cubs are currently in our Cheetah Conservation Center and are not on exhibit; however, we plan to move them into the zoo sometime in March 2019. We will make an announcement when they can be seen on exhibit.
The cheetah is Africa’s most endangered cat, and the wild population has drastically declined from 100,000 to only 7,000 individuals.
The Metro Richmond Zoo works with both The Association of Zoos and Aquariums and Zoological Association of America cheetah conservation management programs.
