The Cheetah Conservation Funds (CFF) recently teamed up with the Somaliland Ministry of Environment and Rural Development to rescue nine beautiful cheetah cubs and one young adult cheetah. Three of them are in extremely poor health.
Wildlife traders were on their way to the Arabian peninsula at the time. Although the United Arab Emirates prohibits cheetahs being owned as pets, it’s estimated 300 are trafficked there each year.
Dr. Laurie Marker, CCF’s Founder and Executive Director stated
“With a total population of just over 7,000 cheetahs remaining in the wild, the taking of even one cub is a threat to the species’ survival. This is particularly concerning as trafficked cubs are usually removed from their mothers at very young ages — less than 3 months — which means that they have not had enough time to learn skills necessary to survive in the wild and will in most cases require life-long care. We are exceptionally pleased to be partnering with IFAW moving forward to address this important issue.”
The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) is working with CCF to get the care needed for the sick cubs. Plans for a permanent new home are being held up since confiscated animals can’t be transported across country borders.
FFC and IFAW aren’t giving up and are in talks with the government on moving the cubs to a sanctuary out of the country after they’ve recovered.
Elisa
Source 1
Wild animals belong in the wild this proclivity is one of the reasons I’m not very supportive of breeding hybrid cats for house pets as it simply encourages the idea that a wild animal can be made to behave and live as a domestic animal.
I believe it’s more of a status symbol rather than love for the pet. Just to say they have something no one else has.
I agree.