Adopt a Cheetah

The cheetah, the fastest land animal on the planet, is sadly under threat.

Current estimates for wild cheetahs suggest there is fewer than 7,000 remaining, with the species now listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN’s Red List. Once widespread throughout Africa, this magnificent species now only occurs in 9% of their original territory, mainly in southern and eastern parts of the continent.

Cheetah numbers are drastically decreasing due to conflict with humans through habitat destruction, poaching and trapping for the illegal pet trade. An estimated 300 cheetah cubs are taken from the wild each year to fuel the exotic pet trade in the middle east

How your cheetah adoption helps overseas

In February 2020, The Aspinall Foundation became the first organisation to ever rewild cheetahs born in the UK.

Brothers Nairo and Saba were translocated from our partner park, Howletts Wild Animal Park, to South Africa, where they learnt how to be wild cheetahs before being released into the Mount Camdeboo Private Game Reserve.

In November 2021, Nairo went on to father four beautiful cubs with Ava, a female who had been successfully rewilded to the reserve prior to Nairo’s arrival. This was not only wonderful news for The Aspinall Foundation, but vitally important for the species.

The Aspinall Foundation has rewilded a total of nine cheetahs back to their natural habitat on the African plains, all from previously captive environments. 

Caring for cheetahs in Kent

Our partner park Port Lympne Reserve is home to four stunning cheetahs, commonly seen prowling around in their enclosure. See them for free with your adoption (except Bronze).  

Adopt a cheetah with The Aspinall Foundation and help to protect endangered species.

Fun facts about cheetahs

• The cheetah is the world’s fastest land mammal, being able to reach speeds of up to 70 mph but only in short bursts.
• Uniquely adapted to help them reach top speeds the cat’s light tail acts like a rudder, and their semi-retractable claws act like the spikes on a sprinter’s shoe to offer stability during the chase.
• Cheetahs vocalise using a range of purrs, growls, hisses and bird-like chirps. They are physically incapable of roaring, and so are not classified as true big cats.
• Unlike lions, cheetah tend to be primarily active during the day, a strategy that may help to reduce competition for food.
• Lions, spotted hyaenas and leopards are key predators of cheetah cubs, although smaller predators such as honey badgers, jackals and secretary birds also play a role.
• Cheetah cubs will stay with their mother for an average of 18 months, after which they will roam with their littermates for a further six months.