WINSTON, Ore. — Less than a week after introducing its new litter of cheetah cubs to the world, Wildlife Safari says that its helping out another cheetah breeding facility in Texas by fostering their cubs as well.
The park just south of Roseburg is the "number one cheetah breeding facility" in the western hemisphere, Wildlife Safari said, so it was a natural choice for their colleagues in Texas. A cheetah mother at the Texas facility had become ill and could no longer care for her two cubs.
“We cross foster cheetahs as needed,” explains Dan Brands, the park’s general curator and the person in charge of the animals. “Basically, when one mother can’t or won’t rear her cubs properly for one reason or another, it’s vital to step in and make sure that those cubs make it to adulthood to help support breeding populations.”
RELATED: Wildlife Safari welcomes new litter of cheetah cubs to the park
Wildlife Safari has said previously that cheetahs can be fickle, even unfit mothers. Luckily, Delta — the first-time mother who gave birth to Wildlife Safari's latest litter just over a week ago — has been doing quite well with her cubs and made a prime candidate to foster. She met the two new cubs over the weekend.
“Delta is doing well,” said Brands. “She’s got all six cubs now, they’re all nursing and there have been no issues in working with them. Hopefully all these guys will help contribute to the important research populations, to better understand the plight of wild cheetahs.”
While Wildlife Safari is still open for visitors to drive through, the new cheetah family is tucked away in the "Lover's Lane" area of the park for privacy. They can still be seen every Monday morning at 11 a.m. on the park's Facebook Live sessions.
