Mysuru zoo receives three African hunting cheetahs from South Africa

MYSURU: After journeying for 30 hours – 26 hours in aircraft and four hours by road, three African hunting cheetahs from South Africa have landed in Mysuru zoo which is trying its luck again to breed the fastest land animal.
A year after zoo lost its last surviving African hunting Cheetah; it has received three big cats from Ann Van Dyke Cheetah Centre, South Africa. Mysuru is the second zoo to house hunting cheetah in India. Hyderabad zoo has a pair of big cats.
The cats - two females, aged 16 and 14 months and one male, 15 years old journeyed from Johannesburg, South Africa to Singapore and then to Bengaluru in aircraft. zoo authorities received the cats at KIA, Bengaluru and from there they brought them to zoo late in the night on Monday.
zoo executive director Ajit Kulkarni informed TOI that big cats are tired after long and tiring journeys. Clearly like any individual, the big cats are suffering from jet lag after a long trip of 30 hours. They have been isolated and would continue to stay in isolation under care of the veterinary team.
A dedicated keeper has been appointed to take care of the cats of its health diet. Caretaker isn’t supposed to visit any other animal enclosures as a precaution. Their behaviours are being monitored through CCTVs at Health block. Ajith Kulkarni, the IFS officer, as precautionary measures are in place to look after them well. Probably they would be in isolation till they get acclimatized to conditions of environs here.
Mysuru zoo houses five species of big cats including Cheetah which would be likely to be put on display probably after a month. Mysuru zoo had constructed the first of its kind glass enclosure to maintain tranquil atmosphere and ensure proper display to the public, explained the executive director.