Six cheetah cubs—four males and two females—were born between June 4 and June 5 at the Basel Zoo, marking the first litter for four-year-old female Malaika, according to the Basel Zoo. The cubs are reported to be in good health and have recently received their vaccinations. Visitors can now observe the sextuplets freely in their enclosure.
Following the zoo’s naming convention for animals born in the same calendar year, which requires names to begin with the letter “X,” the male cubs have been named Xeros, Xolobeni, Xeric, and Ximba. The female cubs are named Xhosa and Xenia, as announced by the Basel Zoo. Malaika arrived at the facility in April 2024, coming from the Stuttgart zoological park in Germany.
Conservation Status of the World’s Fastest Feline
According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, the cheetah is classified as a vulnerable species. Data from the IUCN indicates that fewer than 7,000 adult individuals remain in the wild, and overall populations continue to face a downward trend. Furthermore, specific sub-species, such as the cheetahs of North Africa and Asia, face a classification of critically endangered.
Did You Know? Malaika, the four-year-old mother of the new cubs, arrived at the Basel Zoo in April 2024 from the Stuttgart zoological park in Germany.
Frequently Asked Questions
When were the cheetah cubs born at the Basel Zoo?
The sextuplets were born between June 4 and June 5, early in the month of June.
What are the names of the six cubs?
The four males are named Xeros, Xolobeni, Xeric, and Ximba, while the two females are named Xhosa and Xenia.
What is the conservation status of cheetahs in the wild?
According to the IUCN Red List, the cheetah is a vulnerable species with fewer than 7,000 adult individuals estimated to remain in the wild, and certain sub-species are considered critically endangered.
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