Seven cheetah cubs have made their public debut at Whipsnade Zoo in Bedfordshire, with zoo visitors able to catch a glimpse for the first time.
The two litters – four seven-week-old cubs born to mum Amira on the 18th May, and three six-week-old cubs born to mum Zara on the 23rd May – have so far spent their time cosied up with their mums behind-the-scenes.
But visitors to the UK’s largest zoo have been able to see the cubs for themselves since Wednesday when they were able to fully explore the rest of their home.
Footage taken by their devoted keepers shows the cubs putting their famous speed skills to use in their behind-the-scenes paddocks, testing out their legs by zooming up and down and chasing each other, as well as playfighting in the long grass. As they get bigger, stronger, and more curious, they’ll be able to venture further than before.
The seven cubs – who will be sexed at their first health checks in the next couple of weeks – are vitally important for the conservation breeding programme for their endangered sub species; the northern cheetah.
They will be named by ZSL’s conservationists, who are working in Zambia to release cheetahs into the wild for the first time in almost three decades. Working with the government of Zambia and several conservation NGOs, ZSL will reintroduce a group of cheetahs to the Luangwa Valley to help boost the conservation of this iconic feline – of which only 6,500 individuals remain on earth.
Anyone booking online to visit Whipsnade Zoo on or before 2 September 2026 will qualify for a FREE return visit, and families can save up to £35 with a family ticket.
Every visit to Whipsnade Zoo supports the global work of ZSL to protect and restore wildlife around the world. To find out more and to buy tickets, visit: www.whipsnadezoo.org
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