Cheetah births, big-cat sightings span four countries

Recent cheetah births and sightings have drawn attention to the species’ conservation challenges. Five cubs born to Zura at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo are being followed on a 24-hour livestream, while Montpellier Zoo in France reported the birth of four female southern African cheetahs. Cheetahs are classified as vulnerable, with fewer than 7,000 believed to remain in the wild after a steep population decline; low genetic diversity and high cub mortality add to the risks. In Kenya, a photographer documented a mother playing with her 10-month-old cub, behavior that can help young cheetahs develop coordination and hunting skills.