New Arrivals at Caldwell Zoo

TYLER – The population of Tyler’s Caldwell Zoo has grown by three. The zoo has announced the arrival of three cheetah cubs. They were born on April 23rd. Meadow and her cubs are living in off-exhibit quarters so that this little family has time to bond with mom. And they will feel secure as she cares for her youngsters in relative seclusion for a while. The zoo staff have not disturbed the mother and her cubs, so their gender is not known. Zoo visitors can watch the cheetah family on the zoo’s Cheetah Cam. It is located at the outpost on the African Overlook.

The mom, Meadow, was donated to the Caldwell Zoo by Henry Doorly Zoo in Omaha, Nebraska. The dad, Bomani, is on loan to the Caldwell Zoo by Fossil Rim Wildlife Center in Glen Rose, Texas.

Cheetahs have been kept in captivity for about five thousand years. Ancient Egyptians believed that the cheetah would carry one’s soul to the afterworld. For hundreds of years, many cultures used cheetahs (sometimes called “hunting leopards”) for sport hunting. Although cheetahs have been kept by humans for quite a long time, they usually do not readily breed in captivity, making three babies at Caldwell Zoo extra-special.