Special birth: five cheetah cubs in Safaripark Beekse Bergen

Safaripark Beekse Bergen welcomed five cheetah cubs last Friday. An important event for both the park and the European Management Program (EEP), as the population of this endangered species is declining.

The litter originally consisted of six cubs, one of which died almost immediately after birth. However, it is not exceptional for a newborn cub not to survive in this species. The mother, who was born at Safaripark in 2017, and the five remaining cubs are doing well.

Head of animal care Christian Meurrens: "The young are drinking well and lying safely with their mother. We leave them alone as much as possible. This is why they will stay behind the scenes for the next few weeks and are not yet visible to visitors. We will also not be able to determine the sex of the cubs until later."

Important contribution to species conservation

Beekse Bergen manages the European management program (EEP) of cheetahs. As a result, the park has the important task of placing genetically diverse animals together to ensure a healthy reserve population in European zoos.

Curator Lars Versteege emphasizes the importance of this birth. "This is only the third litter of cheetahs born within Europe this year. We are therefore extremely happy with these five cubs. The population of cheetahs is declining worldwide and within the EEP, so every birth is essential for the survival of the species. Although cheetah cubs remain vulnerable in the first weeks, the first signs are positive and it seems that these five cubs are off to a good start.

Endangered species

Only about 7,000 cheetahs still live in the wild. The species is listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. The animals are threatened by loss of habitat and conflicts with humans. Safaripark Beekse Bergen supports via. Stichting Wildlife the work of Cheetah Conservation Botswana (CCB). This organization is dedicated to the conservation of the cheetah population, including through nature education, scientific research and cooperation with local farmers.