In brief
After discovering an orphaned cheetah cub beside its deceased mother, a family in Wajir County, Kenya, decided to adopt the animal, despite facing criticism from neighbors concerned for their livestock. The cub became a cherished part of the family over two years, reflecting the deep bond and dedication they formed. Despite offers to sell the cub for profit, the family chose to nurture it, receiving praise from wildlife officials for their compassionate approach. However, authorities also reminded them that keeping wild animals as pets is illegal.
A Kenyan family has told the BBC how a cheetah cub they adopted after finding it lying next to its dead mother became almost like one of their children.However, their neighbours in the northern Wajir county were not pleased to see a wild animal being raised so close to them.Many people immediately told us to get rid of the cub so it wouldn't harm the livestock. We didn't do that because it seemed unreasonable, Bisharo Abdirahman Omar said.The reaction was unsurprising as the Somali-speaking nomadic community earn their living by raising livestock, which are often threatened by predators such as cheetahs, leopards, lions, and hyenas.We knew it wouldn't benefit us in any way, like livestock would, said Rashid Abdi Hussein, a 45-year-old father of 10.But I decided that since people are killing these animals, maybe we should raise them instead and be different.The family cared for the cub for two years and three months, during which it became an inseparable part of the family. The animal was troublesome at first, but in the end, it became tame and became one of the children, he said.The family fed the cub milk through a syringe at first before transitioning to meat as it grew older. Mr. Hussein mentioned, We have made a big sacrifice - since the day I rescued it, I have slaughtered 15 sheep to feed the cheetah.The family has received praise from the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) for their generosity in looking after an animal which is often killed or trafficked. The head of the Northeastern Conservancy Association, Sharmaarke Mohamed, highlighted that cheetahs and wildlife in northeastern Kenya face a significant crisis that is largely overlooked.Cheetahs are currently facing a very grave threat, along with many other wild animals, Mohamed stated, noting that this young cheetah was most likely orphaned due to its mother being killed or poisoned.The Cheetah Conservation Fund estimates that between 200 and 300 cheetah cubs are smuggled out of the Horn of Africa each year, many aimed at illegal pet markets in the Gulf States. Despite people offering money for the young cheetah, Ms. Omar emphasized that they refused any sale, stating, It had become part of the family.While the KWS commended the family's compassion, they reiterated that keeping wild animals as pets is illegal, urging all Kenyans to prioritize wildlife protection. The young cheetah is currently receiving care at the Nairobi Safari Walk.
