Hope for the conservation of cheetahs

An exciting news for fauna lovers and animal conservation actors: the Montpellier zoo welcomed the birth of three cheetahs on Friday, January 24, marking a crucial event for the conservation of southern African cheetahs.

The three newborns, two males and a female, are the last members of a species classified “vulnerable” by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). These births represent a significant moment for the Montpellier zoo, highlighting its continuous commitment in the ex-site program of the European Association of Zoos and Aquariums (EAZA). While the number of captivity individuals has been decreasing since 2020, these cheetahs symbolize hope for the survival of their species.

Their first weighings, carried out 48 hours after birth, indicate a weight of 550 grams each. The names of the three young cheetahs will be chosen by the zoo animal teams and will start with the letter ‘G’, following the tradition of naming initiated since the first viable range in 2015.

Bastet, the mother of the triplets, is a regular at the Montpellier zoo where she was born in 2018. Her first range in 2021 was dispersed through various European zoos, thus contributing to the genetic diversity necessary for the success of the conservation program. In 2024, Bastet gave birth to a single little twice, resulting in an early lactation stop. The first little one was unfortunately deceased, while the second was adopted by another female at the Safaripark Beekse Bergen in the Netherlands.

The father of the newborn, Baci, originally from the Safari de Paggres in Ardèche, joined the zoo in 2024. This integration is part of the collaboration efforts between the Montpellier zoo, the African Safari of Plaisance-du-Touch and the Safari of skin, aimed at increasing the chances of reproduction successful by the strategic movement of individuals between the parks.

The survival of these young cheetahs is more than a victory for the Montpellier zoo; It is symbolic of international cooperation and commitment to the preservation of endangered species. In 2024, only 23 cheetahs out of 41 births were viable, which made each birth in captivity all the more precious for the future of the species.

To find out more and see images of the newborns, visit the official website of the Montpellier Zoo. Stay connected to discover the names that will soon be attributed to these adorable ambassadors of their species.

This moment is not only a celebration of new lives but also a recall of the importance of supporting conservation programs to ensure a lasting future for cheetahs and other endangered species.