The Metro Richmond Zoo is excited to announce the birth of six cheetah cubs to proud parents Zuri and Ramses. Born on May 13 after a three-month gestation, the litter includes three males (Lagos, Bukavu, and Cairo) and three females (Matola, Kampala, and Lusaka).
Zuri has proven to be an excellent mother, showing great care and playfulness with her rambunctious cubs. After spending their first months at the zoo’s Cheetah Conservation Center, a private facility with 19 habitats dedicated to cheetah care, Zuri and her three-month-old cubs have moved to the public cheetah habitat in the zoo. Guests can now enjoy the unique opportunity to observe cheetah cubs up close with their mother and learn more about this species.
Zoo veterinary staff monitor the health of our cheetah cubs very closely. During their first few months of life, the cubs have several vet checkups for weigh-ins, deworming, and essential vaccinations.
The cheetah faces critical threats in the wild, with its population declining 93% over the last 120 years. As of today, the cheetah inhabits only 9% of its historic range, making it Africa’s most endangered big cat. Maintaining a genetically diverse population of cheetahs in human care is vital to their survival.
Since 2013, 167 cheetahs have been born at the Metro Richmond Zoo, establishing us as one of the nation’s leaders in cheetah conservation and care. The zoo remains committed to the long-term protection of this remarkable species.
Read more about the zoo’s cheetah conservation program and view our official press kit.
