Gujarat Zoo to display African Cheetahs during monsoon

As the mercury hovers over 40 degrees Celsius in the western state, wary zoo keepers and vets have decided to increase the quarantine period of the four African Cheetahs that were brought here from Singapore almost two months ago under an animal exchange programme.

The animals are kept away from display and fed special food and medicines along with being monitored using close circuit televisions.
Sakkarbaugh Zoo is the country's only zoo to house the critically endangered species which were brought from Singapore in exchange for two Asiatic lioness and a lion.

"The two pairs of animals would be accommodated at the zoo enclosure for public display once they settle well within the ambiance and the weather cools down," B J Rana, Director of the Zoo said.
Refusing to give further details Rana said, "Cheetahs have been kept in quarantine as there is a danger of their getting some infection. The animals are currently under the supervision of veterinary doctors and other experts."

The Zoo director further said, "Due to the recent heatwave resulting in unbearable temperatures the quarantine period of the animals have been prolonged. We have received numerous queries about the animals since their arrival here."

The authorities had planned to exhibit the animals earlier but decided not to do so because of the searing heat.
"We do not want to take a chance with these rare animals which we got after great efforts and are are enormous achievements for us," Rana said.

He, however, added that there was no reason for worry regarding the health of the animals which are in the age group of three.
Cheetah cubs are usually more vulnerable to hostile conditions and this is the first initiative of the country to attempt breeding them in zoos, according to Central Zoo Authority (CZA) member secretary B R Sharma.

"Unlike most cats like tigers and leopards, Cheetahs breed throughout the year without a regular breeding season. The average litter is four or five cubs with a life span of upto 12 years," said Sharma.
He pointed out that if the current attempt succeeded, it would pave the way for them to be able to replenish the animals in the wild too.

The Sakkarbaugh Zoo authorities have already constructed enclosures for the new inmates at the zoo which is home to over 900 wild animals, including lions and leopards. Vistors to the zoo are expected to see the animals early monsoon.
The fastest land animal, cheetah, possess a flexible spine that helps them run upto 70 miles per hour over a short distance.
Cheetahs are endangered with the current estimated population at a mere 10,000 including those in captivity. During the year 1990 there was approximately an estimated 1,00,000 cheetahs in the wild.