CUMBERLAND, Ohio — The Wilds, a wildlife conservation center about an hour and a half east of Columbus, happily announced Friday that its 5-year-old cheetah gave birth to six healthy cubs last month.
The mother cheetah, named Pumzika, arrived at the center in July and was paired with a 7-year-old male named Finnick. Pumzika gave birth on Oct. 30. The three female and three male cubs "appear to be healthy and are growing steadily," according to The Wilds.
“The birth of these rare cheetah cubs is cause for celebration. They are adorable, but more importantly, their births represent a significant contribution to the sustainability of this species’ population, and we are extremely proud to be directly involved in protecting the future of cheetahs,” said The Wilds Vice President Dr. Jan Ramer.
According to The Wilds, Pumzika and Finnick were paired up as part of a "Species Survival Plan," a program coordinated by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums to increase the dwindling cheetah population. The Wilds is one of nine breeding centers that has a goal of ensuring "a sustainable cheetah population in human care."
The public won't be able to visit Pumzika for a few months as she will be "behind the scenes" raising her cubs under human observation. The Wilds said it hopes to show Pumzika and her cubs on a monitor at the facilities Carnivore Center sometime in the future.
The Wilds is nonprofit organization is managed by the Columbus Zoo. It is located at 14000 International Road, Cumberland, Ohio. For hours, directions and more information, click here.
