The cheetah is Africa’s most endangered cat – just 7,100 of the big and beautiful cats remain in the wild.
In addition, the cheetah has been driven out of 91 percent of its historic range.
Once upon a time the big cats once roamed nearly all of Africa and much of Asia, but their population is now confined predominantly to six African countries: Angola, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, South Africa, and Mozambique.
This distressing statistic is exactly why the Metro Richmond Zoo has had a strong focus on cheetah conservation.
In the past several years, the staff has seen nine new litters, totaling 47 cubs.The average litter size of a cheetah is three to four cubs.
Not long ago a cheetah gave birth to seven cubs for the second time at the Metro Richmond Zoo, WTVR reports.
This was Vaila’s second pregnancy; her partner, Kalu, is a first-time dad. Vaila gave birth to the septuplets Nov. 30, 2018.
Septuplets among cheetahs only happens one percent of the time!
”Very special birth to us”
Not only that, Vaila’s litter marks a big step forward in cheetah conservation.
“This is a very special birth to us, because not only is it a big boost to the captive population but a cheetah having seven cubs only happens 1 percent of the time,” zookeeper Whitlee Turner said in a YouTube video that announced the births.
This wasn’t the first time Vaila blessed the zoo with multiples. Three years ago, she delivered her first set of adorable cubs.
Back then it was a litter of, you guessed it, lucky number seven….!
Hope all 7 cubs are healthy – cheetahs are endangered in the wild and need to get all the tlc possible!
