Cheetahs face the threat of extinction, but recent advancements in reproductive science offer hope for the future of this endangered species.
At the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, two male and female cheetah cubs were born through in vitro fertilization (IVF) and embryo transfer to a surrogate mother, marking a significant milestone in conservation efforts. The cubs were delivered on February 19 by their biological mother, Isabelle.
The process involved hormone injections administered to Kibibi, the biological mother, and Isabelle to stimulate follicle development.
Their eggs were then fertilized with thawed semen collected from two male cheetahs earlier in the year.
This marks the third attempt by scientists to achieve successful insemination and produce healthy cubs.
Dr. Randy Junge, Vice President of Animal Health at the Columbus Zoo, emphasized the importance of this achievement: “These two cubs may be tiny, but they represent a huge accomplishment, with expert biologists and zoologists working together to create this scientific marvel.”
He added that this success enhances the scientific understanding of cheetah reproduction and could be critical in managing the species’ population.
Kibibi, aged six and a half, and nine-year-old Isabelle possess genes valuable for maintaining a robust lineage of cheetahs in human care.
The fertilization process took place in a laboratory at the Columbus Zoo, using eggs from both females and thawed semen collected in February 2019 from two cheetahs—a male from Fossil Rim Wildlife Center and another from the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (SCBI).
The resulting early-stage embryos from Kibibi were implanted into Isabelle, who later underwent an ultrasound confirming the growth of two fetuses. The cubs’ father is a three-year-old male named Slash from Fossil Rim Wildlife Center.
Jason Ahistus, Carnivore Curator at Fossil Rim Wildlife Center, expressed pride in the team’s accomplishments, stating, “It gives the cheetah conservation community another tool to use in cheetah management, both in situ and ex-situ. It opens the door to many new opportunities that can help the global cheetah population. This is a big win for the cheetah.”
According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), cheetahs are classified as ‘Vulnerable,’ with their population in decline across their native Africa.
Factors contributing to their dwindling numbers include habitat loss, conflicts with livestock and game farmers, and unregulated tourism, which has reduced their habitat to just 10 percent of its original range.
Scientists estimate that only about 7,500 cheetahs remain, prompting activists and experts to advocate for their addition to the endangered species list.
Read more Wildlife News.