Three Cheetah cubs born at White Oak on November 26 are
growing rapidly and thriving under the care of their mother, Sweeney.  Zooborns shared photos of the Cheetah cub
trio when they were just one
week old.  The five-week-old cubs are
now eagerly exploring their outdoor habitat, though they rarely stray far from
mom, who serves as a climb-on toy, shady rest stop, and all-around
comforter. 

Sweeney is a first-time
mother who is expertly caring for her babies. 
White Oak staff conducted a health check on the cubs, but they are
allowing Sweeney to raise the cubs just as she would in the wild.

Cheetahs in the wild are in
drastic decline.  These stunning
predators, capable of running at speeds up to 75 mph (120 km/h), are unable to
outrun the threats to their survival. 
Low genetic diversity in both the wild and captive populations
contributes to the challenges facing this species.  About 12,500 Cheetahs remain in the wilds of eastern
and southern Africa. 

White Oak works
collaboratively with the Species Survival Plan (SSP) of the Association of Zoos
& Aquariums (AZA) as well as the Conservation Center for Species Survival
(C2S2). White Oak is one of the most successful Cheetah breeding centers in the
world.  These cubs are the 145^th,
146^th, and 147^th Cheetah cubs born at White Oak.

Photo Credit: Karen Meeks