In a truly extraordinary act of compassion, a family in Kenya’s Wajir county has shared their touching experience of raising an orphaned cheetah cub. Found alone beside its deceased mother, the young cheetah was taken in by the family and quickly became an integral part of their lives, described as being “like one of the children.”
This heartwarming story unfolded in a region where livestock farming is the primary livelihood, and wild predators like cheetahs pose a constant threat. Neighbors, understandably concerned about their livestock, urged the family to relinquish the cub. “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 recounted.
Rashid Abdi Hussein, a father of ten, explained the family’s 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 nurtured the cub, initially feeding it with milk from a syringe and later with meat. Mr. Hussein shared the significant sacrifice involved, noting, “We have made a big sacrifice – since the day I rescued it, I have slaughtered 15 sheep to feed the cheetah.”
The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) commended the family’s kindness, highlighting the growing crisis facing cheetahs and other wildlife in northeastern Kenya. Sharmaarke Mohamed of the Northeastern Conservancy Association emphasized the serious threats these animals face, often due to being orphaned through poaching or poisoning. Sadly, the smuggling of cheetah cubs is rampant in the region, with hundreds believed to be trafficked annually to the Gulf States, often to be sold as pets. Despite lucrative offers, including around 20,000 Kenyan shillings ($155; £115), the family refused to sell their beloved cub, viewing it as a cherished member of their family.
While the KWS expressed deep appreciation for the family’s compassion, they also reminded the public about the legal implications of keeping wild animals as pets, emphasizing that “true coexistence means protecting wildlife.” The rescued cheetah cub is now under the care of the Nairobi Safari Walk.
More about Kenya from the BBC:
Kenya at crossroads as nation reels from Odinga’s death
‘I’m Kenyan, don’t shoot’ – the athlete who says he was duped into the Russian army
Tourist pouring beer down elephant’s trunk in Kenya sparks anger