Captive Breeding of Cheetahs in South Africa – 30 Years of Data from the de Wildt Cheetah and Wildlife Centre

Abstract

The de Wildt Cheetah and Wildlife Centre was established in 1971 and the first cheetah cubs were born in 1975. During the period 1975-2005, 242 litters were born with a total of 785 cubs. Mean cub survival from 1 to 12 months and greater than 12 months of age was 71.3 and 66.2%, respectively. The majority of losses (84.9%) occurred during the first month postpartum whereas only 15.1% deaths took place between 1 and 12 months of age. Females were first bred at an age of approximately 3 years, reached maximum reproductive age at 6-8 years, where after fertility declined. Males reached peak reproduction at 6 and maintained this for up to 12 years of age. Male fertility was best correlated with sperm morphology. During recent years, for practical purposes, males were allocated to 'good' (>or=70% normal), 'fair' (40-70% normal) and 'poor' (<40% normal) categories according to sperm morphology count. The breeding males were selected from the good (preferably) and fair categories but poor category males were also used at times. Average litter sizes for 'good', 'fair' and 'poor' males were 3.44 (n = 21), 3.14 (n = 18) and 2.28 (n = 18), respectively. In females the heritability for litter size was high at 0.5848 (532 progeny, 1975-2007) and the maternal heritability for cub mortality was estimated to be 0.596. The data from the de Wildt Cheetah and Wildlife Centre and two other centres in the world (Kapama and Wassenaar) demonstrate that cheetah can be bred successfully in captivity.

Fecal Progestagens to Detect and Monitor Pregnancy in Captive Female Cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus)

“…In our study, the types of fecal progestagens showed no distinct difference among early (1-15 days), mid-(30-60 days) and late pregnancy (75-90 days) and among individuals. These results indicate that our assay method is effective for moni- ,3,4,5,and 6, toring progestagen profiles during pregnancy.…”

“…In our study, the types of fecal progestagens showed no distinct difference among early (1-15 days), mid-(30-60 days) and late pregnancy (75-90 days) and among individuals. These results indicate that our assay method is effective for moni- ,3,4,5,and 6, toring progestagen profiles during pregnancy.In conclusion, the fecal progestagen assay, as an indicator of 5α-reduced pregnanes, is effective for detecting pregnancy and monitoring pregnant luteal activity in cheetahs. Continuous noninvasive monitoring of reproductive endocrinology is important for reliable management and care through pregnancy and parturition.…”

“…The causes of this difficulty may be attributed to basic reproductive abilities, such as the high rate of morphologically abnormal sperm [1,2], high cub mortality [2] and reproductive suppression occurring among female cheetahs housed together or in close proximity [3,4]. Recent studies have also suggested that appropriate husbandry and management based on the singularity lifestyle of free-ranging cheetahs are effective for captive breeding [5]. In Japanese zoos, breeding loans, such as exchanging or moving female cheetahs between institutes, have enabled successful breeding.…”

Ultrasonographic and laparoscopic evaluation of the reproductive tract in older captive female cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus)

“…Behavioural observations, clinical and laboratory methods are all reported for oestrous monitoring and defining the reproductive status of individual female cheetahs and lions [1][2][3][4].…”

“…It has been variously reported that captive breeding programs are typified by poor reproductive performance ascribed anecdotally to a plethora of causes including captive stress, lack of genetic diversity, poor husbandry conditions and seasonal climatic changes [3,4]. Asymmetric reproductive aging has been demonstrated in cheetahs similar to other captive populations of non-carnivore species such as elephants and rhinoceros where older captive females demonstrate irregular oestrous cycles or may cease cyclic activity [6,19,20].…”