Cheetah cubs at Prague Zoo are doing well after a period of strong storms and their mother’s illness

PRAGUE (AP) — Five cheetah cubs, born at Prague Zoo on June 18, have overcome a challenging start to life. Their mother, Daenerys, gave birth in an outdoor enclosure during a period of strong storms and heavy rain. Despite her inexperience, Daenerys demonstrated exemplary care for her newborns, protecting them from the torrential rains by licking water from their fur to keep them dry.

The cubs, described as four males and one female, were born into a species with high infant mortality rates due to predators and diseases such as pneumonia. However, Daenerys' illness in August, an intestinal infection, did not deter the cubs from appearing lively and healthy on Friday. Zoo curator Pavel Brandl emphasized that while the situation seems stable for now, it will take a year to determine if the cubs will survive the critical post-birth period.

With fewer than 7,000 cheetahs remaining in the wild, every cub born is crucial in the fight to save this threatened species.