In a remarkable display of compassion, a family in Kenya’s Wajir county opened their home and hearts to an orphaned cheetah cub. Found beside its deceased mother, the little cub quickly became an integral part of the family, transforming from a wild animal into a cherished member, almost like one of their own children.
This unique adoption, however, was not without its challenges. Their neighbors, who rely on livestock for their livelihood, expressed concerns about keeping a wild predator so close. “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,” shared Bisharo Abdirahman Omar, one of the family members.
The decision to care for the cub was a significant one, especially given the nomadic community’s dependence on livestock, which are often preyed upon by cheetahs and other wild animals. Rashid Abdi Hussein, a father of ten, explained his motivation: “We knew it wouldn’t benefit us in any way, like livestock would. But I decided that since people are killing these animals, maybe we should raise them instead and be different.”
For over two years, the family dedicated themselves to the cub’s well-being, feeding it milk via a syringe and later meat as it grew. Hussein recounted the considerable sacrifice involved: “We have made a big sacrifice – since the day I rescued it, I have slaughtered 15 sheep to feed the cheetah.”
The family’s efforts have earned praise from the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) for their kindness towards an animal frequently targeted by traffickers and hunters. The story also highlights a broader issue: cheetah populations in North-Eastern Kenya are facing a critical threat, with smuggling operations actively transporting cubs out of the region for illegal sale as pets in the Gulf States.
Despite offers of money, including one of 20,000 Kenyan shillings ($155; £115), and even trade for goats, the family refused to part with their adopted cub, emphasizing its deep integration into their family life. While appreciating the family’s compassion, KWS reiterated the legal prohibition against keeping wild animals as pets, urging for harmonious coexistence with wildlife.
The rescued cheetah cub is now under the care of the Nairobi Safari Walk.