The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) has intervened after a woman in Kursi village, Garissa County, rescued a stranded cheetah cub and raised it for nearly two years.
In a statement on Thursday, October 23, KWS said the compassionate woman fed, bathed, and even leashed the cheetah like a domestic cat.
The service noted that it learnt about the cheetah through the Community and Wildlife Service Division.
“In Kursi Village, Garissa County, a compassionate woman once rescued a stranded cheetah cub and lovingly raised it as her own for nearly two years - feeding, bathing, and even leashing it like a pet cat.
“Through our Community & Wildlife Service Division, we learned of this extraordinary act of kindness,” read the statement in part.
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However, KWS noted that although the woman’s intentions were good, keeping wild animals is against the law.
“While her intentions were noble, keeping wildlife - even out of love - is against the Wildlife Conservation and Management Act (WCMA), which protects wild animals and ensures their wellbeing in their natural habitats,” the agency stated.
KWS rangers in Garissa safely took the cheetah and handed it over to veterinary experts.
The veterinary team conducted a full health assessment to ensure the wild animal was in good condition.
“The cheetah was safely taken in by KWS officers and handed over to our veterinary team, who conducted a full health check to ensure it was in good condition, collected samples for laboratory testing, and administered treatment for parasite control,” KWS added.
The cheetah was transferred to the Nairobi Safari Walk and placed under expert care.
This comes a month after KWS officers rescued a 4-month-old lion cub from the wilds of Tsavo East.
KWS, in a statement, said the cub suffered a severe injury to her right eye, was dehydrated, and could not drink or feed on her own.
The cub was rescued by the veterinary and capture unit and taken to the Nairobi Animal Orphanage nursery, where it received medical attention.
“Now, she is receiving water drop by drop through a syringe and vital nutrients through an IV at the Nairobi Animal Orphanage nursery, as her small body gathers the strength needed for the enucleation of her irreparably damaged right eye. Her left eye, though impaired, still holds a flicker of sight and, more importantly, a spark of life,” KWS stated.
