Successful in situ supplementary feeding leads to the independence of orphaned cheetah cubs

Abstract

Abstract Orphaned cheetah cubs are typically removed from the wild and placed in captive facilities limiting their rehabilitation potential and conservation value. After three orphaned cubs (±7.5 months) were discovered on Welgevonden Game Reserve, South Africa, they were fed in situ approximately every 5 days for 9 months. Supplementary feeding was reduced as the cubs began hunting and ceased when considered fully independent (16.5 months). This approach provides an alternative strategy for the management of orphaned cheetah.

Keywords

• Acinonyx jubatus
• animal welfare
• carnivore rehabilitation
• conservation value
• management
• metapopulation