Mongabay · Climate & nature

Cheetah cubs at Prague Zoo recover after difficult start

Five cheetah cubs born at Prague Zoo are now doing well after facing challenges including severe storms and their mother's illness shortly after birth.

The quintuplets, four males and one female, were born on June 18. Their mother, Daenerys, gave birth in an outdoor enclosure during a period of strong storms.

Despite being inexperienced, Daenerys provided excellent care, protecting the cubs from torrential rains and licking water from their fur to keep them dry.

Cheetah cubs face high infant mortality in the wild due to predators and diseases like pneumonia.

Adding to the difficulties, Daenerys suffered an intestinal infection in August.

Despite these challenges, the cubs appeared lively and healthy. However, it may take up to a year to confirm their survival through this critical post-birth period.

Scientists emphasize the importance of each cub for the survival of the cheetah species, which is threatened with extinction.

Fewer than 7,000 cheetahs are estimated to remain in the wild.

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