Mum’s got her paws full! Mother cheetah keeps an eye on her SEVEN cubs
A cheetah named Alwa has given birth to seven cubs at Allwetterzoo Münster in Westphalia, Germany, in July, marking her second litter with mate Sambesi. The birth is part of a managed breeding programme for the species, which is listed on the International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List, making the arrival of new cubs a significant contribution to conservation efforts given the animal's vulnerable status in the wild.
The litter consists of one female and six males, following an earlier brood of five cubs the pair produced in 2024. Cheetahs are the fastest land mammals, capable of speeds up to 70-75mph and accelerating from 0 to 60mph in three seconds, aided by their long tails, flexible spines and semi-retractable claws. With only around 7,000 to 10,000 cheetahs remaining in the wild, the zoo highlighted the cubs as a welcome boost for the species.
In short
- Cheetah Alwa gives birth to seven cubs at a German zoo
- One female, six males born as part of breeding programme
- Only 7,000-10,000 cheetahs remain in the wild globally
Explained simply
Cheetahs are large cats native to parts of Africa and Asia, known for their speed. Their numbers have fallen in the wild, and the International Union for Conservation of Nature lists the species as vulnerable.
Zoos sometimes coordinate breeding programmes to support threatened species and maintain healthy populations. Allwetterzoo Münster, in Germany, is home to Alwa and Sambesi; the pair had a litter in 2024 as well as their newer one.