Cheetah Cubs Update - A Message from HESC
HESC has confirmed the sad news that Heidi’s second cheetah cub has passed away, following the same health complications as its sibling. Despite tireless efforts from the dedicated veterinary team, both cubs were ultimately unable to overcome the challenges they faced. A thorough assessment is underway, and HESC will share final conclusions once available.
Heidi, as many of you have seen, was an incredibly calm and nurturing mother - quite different in approach to Tammy, yet just as devoted. Her care for the cubs was exceptional, but sadly, their immune systems were not strong enough to cope with certain environmental stressors.
In more positive news, Tammy and her four cubs are doing very well. Over the weekend, they underwent full health checks, and all four received their first vaccinations - an encouraging step in supporting their ongoing wellbeing. To help with monitoring, three of the cubs have been marked with a harmless blue spray. This made the process easier during the vaccinations and poses no risk to the cubs. The sexes have not yet been determined.
Looking ahead this week, Tammy and her cubs will soon be moved to a larger enclosure to give them more space to explore as they grow. HESC plans to carry out the move with as little human involvement as possible to minimise stress. Their facility is designed to support this, allowing the family to move naturally by simply opening a few gates.
While the loss of Heidi’s cubs is deeply saddening, HESC remains focused on its mission to raise strong, healthy cheetahs ready for life in the wild. These moments are difficult, but they reaffirm the importance of the work being done every day.
We’ll continue to keep you updated on the cubs' journey and HESC’s ongoing efforts. Thank you, as always, for your continued support.
