RICHMOND (WSLS 10) - The Metro Richmond Zoo announced the birth of 2 litters of cheetah cubs and invites everyone to see the little fur balls live on its Cheetah Cam.
Parents Lana and Kitu, who sired a first litter of 5 cubs, recently gave birth to six more cubs, 2 males and 4 females on April 29. The birth of six cubs is a rare event that only happens in 8 percent of cheetah births.
On May 12, Khari, a first time mom, gave birth to 4 cubs (2 males and 2 females), sired by Hatari, a first time dad. Unfortunately, one female did not live long past birth. Zoo officials said they were carefully watching and weighing the other 3 every day.
The wild cheetah population is in decline - with only 7,500 left in the wild in small pocketed areas in Africa. Breeding cheetahs in captivity is very challenging, with only a small portion of the population reproducing. The 20 cubs born in four litters at the Metro Richmond Zoo in the last year and a half is a significant addition to the captive cheetah population.
Watch the family of cheetahs live at this link: http://www.metrorichmondzoo.com/cheetah-cam/