Posted on 12/01/2010 8:56:54 AM PST by Pyro7480
Kiburi, a 10-day-old cheetah cub, opened his eyes today at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park's Animal Care Center. He took in the world, gobbled down a bottle, played for a little while, and then went back fast asleep in the window of the nursery.
Safari Park guests can see the 1.4-pound bundle of fur in the nursery's window. While he sleeps between 20 and 22 hours a day, he gets a bottle of special formula every 2 ½ hours and also has taken to playing with an adorable ferociousness.
Of the 134 cheetahs born at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, Kiburi, which means proud in Swahili, is the first to be born to two hand-raised parents, Makena and Quint. Makena gave birth to two cubs on Nov. 14, but the first one died shortly after birth of unknown causes. She then showed signs of abandoning Kiburi, who was taken to the Park's nursery. (It is common for cheetah mothers to abandon a single cub because there is a high mortality rate in cheetah cubs and spending the energy to raise just one is not in her best interest.)
At the nursery, Kiburi began "purring from Day 1," said senior nursery keeper Sandy Craig....
(Excerpt) Read more at imperialvalleynews.com ...
Is it just me or are BOTH cute? ;-)
Kitty ping!
Perhaps the American public will follow.
Things that make you go “Awwwwwwwww!”
Awwwww....
Fangs!
...and claws!
MULLETACIOUS CHEETAH IS MULLETACIOUS
;o]
Joe Dirt! Cheetah style.
Hubby and I just LOVE the San Diego Zoo. When we lived in southern California, we used to ride our motorcycles down there (from the Los Angeles area) and spend the day all the time. We really miss it.
We tried the Akron (Ohio) Zoo, but it’s just not the same. Although that WAS where I got kitty kisses (squinty eyes) from a tiger.
Anyway, this proves once again that all kittens are adorable.
Remember the question I had asked at one time about big cats purring, well I got a confirmation of it. :)=^..^=
If you are ever in St. Louis try our Zoo.
Every bit the match of the San Diego Zoo and FREE.
Thanks.
Why did they change the name of the park from the Wild Animal Park to Safari Park? Has it become politically incorrect to call a wild animal a wild animal? Are their feelings hurt?
My wife took our 3-1/2 year-old grandson there on Monday. When I asked her what his favorite part of the day was, she said, “The baby cheetah.”
Science marches on. ;^)
I’ve never been there, but I’ve heard (from folks as far away as Atlanta) that Toledo has one of the best zoos on the Midwest.
Not going to Holy Toledo. It’s too close to Michiganistan.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.