Cheetah Delivery At Taronga Western Plains Zoo

In the early hours of February 22 zookeepers at Taronga Western Plains Zoo ‪@TarongaSydney‬ Dubbo watched on anxiously as Cheetah ‘Siri’ went into early labour.

The Cheetah, who had challenges conceiving and miscarried a litter in 2024, was still five days from her earliest due date.

“Though five days doesn’t sound like a lot, a Cheetah’s pregnancy is about 93 days and so those final five days are critical,” said Senior Veterinarian Dr Alisa Wallace, who leads the Wildlife Hospital team at Taronga Western Plains Zoo.

With cameras in Siri’s den box, keepers noticed that something wasn’t right and made the decision to perform an emergency C-section to give the cubs the best chance to survive.

The procedure took place at the Taronga Wildlife Hospital, Dubbo, in full view of guests who were at the Zoo that Saturday afternoon.

“Our visitors were actually able to witness the delivery of these cubs and see all of the care that goes into that procedure,” Dr Wallace said. “I know there were a lot of people very excited to see the cubs take their first breath.”

It was “all hands-on deck” with keepers, vets and vet nurses working throughout the afternoon to deliver four cubs and keep Siri stable. Unfortunately, two of the cubs were stillborn, with a third succumbing to pneumonia – a common complication in premature babies – six days after it was born.