Success Stories
Cheetah
Challenges
We found solutions for a
species known to be difficult
to manage in human care.
Cheetahs have high instances of digestive
problems and the individuals in our care
frequently produced loose or abnormal feces,
regurgitated their meals or left food
uneaten completeley.
We reviewed the latest research regarding
cheetahs in their natural range and human
care to identify a solution.
• T
he first change was a diet more reflective
of their natural counterparts’, which included
the additions of organ meat, whole rabbit
carcasses and a weekly fast day.
• T
he second change was to remove a fence
to connect the main exhibit yard with an
existing “backyard,” converting the square
living areas into a contiguous rectangle;
this enabled keepers to run a twice-weekly
lure that encourages the natural behavior
of chasing down prey.
Each modification was methodically
implemented, and changes in the cheetahs’
body condition and behavior were tracked
in a scientific study. Incidence of digestive
issues was nearly eliminated after two years,
and the animal care staff is excited about
the future of cheetahs at the Zoo.
31