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New cheetah baby in Landau Zoo: Danger for the future!
A rare cheetah baby was born at Landau Zoo and is lovingly bottle-raised by keepers.
New cheetah baby in Landau Zoo: Danger for the future!
At the Landau Zoo in Rhineland-Palatinate, a spotted little miracle is causing a stir: a baby cheetah has seen the light of day. However, the birth of the cub represents a special challenge. The cheetah has neglected her newborn and so zoo director Jens-Ove Heckel and veterinarian Judith Heckel look after the little animal around the clock. This is now bottle-raised, which is not uncommon in the animal world. Cheetahs typically give birth to between three and five cubs, but a single animal has little chance of survival in the wild because mothers often intentionally abandon their cubs in order to be ready to mate more quickly. The little cheetah baby belongs to the endangered Sudan cheetah species and takes the bottle well.
The cub will soon be presented to the public, but a date has not yet been set. For now, it is receiving loving care as it continues to grow and thrive. This makes the hearts of all zoo visitors beat faster and awakens interest in a species that is increasingly threatened in the wild.
Cheetahs: An Endangered Species
The white writing on the IUCN Red List makes it clear: cheetahs are classified as “endangered”, although the current situation is even more critical than expected. It is estimated that only around 6,700 adult cheetahs remain in the wild, which does not do justice to their role as the fastest land animal - reaching speeds of up to 120 km/h - and as an important part of ecological balance. These graceful hunters take on the task of regulating the populations of their prey. But their future looks bleak. They have lost over 90% of their historic habitat and are mostly restricted to sub-Saharan Africa.
Loss of their habitat due to agriculture, urbanization and infrastructure development is one of the main threats. In addition, there are conflicts with livestock breeders, which often end fatally for the cheetahs. Poaching and the illegal trade in cheetahs and their body parts also affect the species. These serious dangers require international regulations, such as those provided by the CITES agreement.
The protection of cheetahs
Recently, a reassessment of cheetah populations in southern Africa has been carried out, which has provided alarming evidence: current estimates put only 3,577 adult cheetahs in 800,000 square kilometers, which is 11% less than previously thought. Scientists therefore recommend increasing the cheetah's conservation status from "endangered" to "endangered". A clear call to draw attention to the dramatic situation and to intensify the protection of these wonderful animals.
In Namibia, for example, national protection programs focus on conflict reduction and effective protected area management. Research and modern technologies such as GPS tracking have the potential to significantly support cheetah conservation and enable progress in recovery and release. A collective commitment is needed to bring about positive change in cheetah conservation.
The small addition to Landau Zoo reminds us how important it is to protect cheetahs. Every individual can make a contribution through sustainable consumption and support of nature conservation organizations. By working together, we can ensure the survival of these majestic animals and secure their future.
You can find more information about the current situation of cheetahs at wildlifeinfo.de and the latest scientific findings izw-berlin.de. Also the article by ludwigshafen24.de gives a great insight into the history of the little cheetah baby and how it was raised.