Cheetahs
Photo Credit: Supplied

Two King Cheetahs are about to give birth at the Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre, and they are live-streaming the event.

 

Hoedspruit, South Africa (23 May 2024)Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre (HESC), Africam and explore.org have teamed up to bring you a LIVE stream from two King Cheetah birthing huts. Captive breeding and the release of cheetahs back into the wild forms an important part of conservation programmes. It boosts species numbers in the wild and, most importantly with cheetahs, enhances the genetic diversity of the already limited number of individuals in southern Africa.

Since its establishment in 1990 as the Hoedspruit Cheetah Project, HESC has played an important role in the conservation of specific endangered species, particularly cheetahs and rhinos. We focus on the survival of endangered species through the breeding and maintenance of diverse bloodlines of cheetahs and the rehabilitation of rhinos that have become victims of poaching, and create awareness among the general public, locally and internationally, about the importance of wildlife conservation. We also provide research opportunities on the endangered species in our care.

At the Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre, there are currently two female King cheetahs, a rare breed, who were each placed with male cheetahs in the hopes that they would mate and become pregnant. Unlike humans, there are no clear signs of pregnancy in cheetahs. There is no visible way of knowing if mating was successful until the cubs arrive.

The two King cheetah females who may soon become mothers are Adine and Phillipina. Adine has a slender build and a large face. Phillipina, on the other hand, has a smaller face than Adine but a larger build. The soon-to-be-proud papas are potentially Mitch and Spotless. Mitch has been paired with Adine, and Spotless with Phillipina. The King cheetahs Adine and Phillipina are littermates and were born at HESC in 2014, making them 10 years old.

Adine

What are king cheetahs?

King cheetahs are regular cheetahs – Acinonyx jubatus – but are a very rare and unique breed found only in southern Africa. They have a genetic mutation that affects their coat pattern resulting in large blotchy spots that merge into three dark rows along their backs. And, though they are very rare, King Cheetahs once thrived in the wild. However, being rare also meant that they were valuable to hunters and poachers. King Cheetahs hardly exist in the wild anymore but luckily, thanks to conservation programs, and breeding in particular, their numbers are rising – and with Adine and Phillipina possibly being pregnant, we may be lucky enough to witness the birth of the next generation of these rare felids.

Adine and Phillipina will be moved to smaller enclosures around the predicted birthing time to reduce stress and limit movement. This area is also closed off to any moving vehicles and disturbances. They do not typically show signs that they are about to give birth or have given birth other than not being interested in their food and perhaps having a slightly swollen belly when the time is imminent.

During the first few weeks after giving birth, the cheetah moms do not move around very much as they intensely take care of their youngsters.

If the females do not give birth a week after their due date, they will be moved back into their bigger enclosures where they will continue with their normal everyday routines.

The gestation period of a cheetah is about 3 months (93 – 95 days). They can give birth to litters of 1 to 6 cubs, but the average is about 4, of which at least one – in the case of Adine and Phillipina – may be a little king cheetah.

Watch this incredible journey LIVE on Africam.


Sources: Aidan Rademeyer
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About the Author

Tyler Leigh Vivier is a writer for Good Things Guy.

Her passion is to spread good news across South Africa with a big focus on environmental issues, animal welfare and social upliftment. Outside of Good Things Guy, she is an avid reader and lover of tea.

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