While cats and dogs may not traditionally get along, a young cheetah named Winspear has formed a remarkable friendship with Amani, a black Labrador.
This unusual duo celebrated their first joint birthday at the Dallas Zoo, marking a year since they were paired.
Zoo keepers believed that Amani would provide a calming influence for Winspear, and it seems their instinct was spot on.
The pair enjoyed a gigantic meat broth popsicle and a colorful “Best Friends Forever” water trough to commemorate their special day.
Amani’s name, meaning “peace” in Swahili, is fitting, as he was born three days apart from Winspear and his brother, Kamau.
After being born at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute in Virginia, the two endangered cheetah cubs were relocated to Dallas when they were two months old and introduced to Amani.
According to a zoo spokesperson, “Zoological experts have found that because dogs are naturally comfortable in public settings, Amani will provide a calming influence for the cubs.”
The spokesperson also noted that Amani would serve as an additional playmate as Winspear and Kamau grew into adulthood.
Tragically, Kamau passed away earlier this year due to illness. However, Amani has formed a particularly strong bond with Winspear, helping him acclimate to public settings and raising awareness about the challenges facing wild cheetahs.
Together, they have visited schools across North Texas to educate children about wildlife and conservation.
This pairing is not unprecedented; zoos have experimented with mixing species before, capitalizing on the contrasting personalities of cheetahs, known for their reclusive nature, and dogs, which are generally more sociable.
To celebrate their birthday last week, zoo keepers created a massive, colorful water trough and a 200-pound “Best Friends Forever” popsicle.
This special treat combined over 30 gallons of water with low-salt chicken broth and a two percent milk content. A zoo spokesperson remarked, “They loved it!”
Cheetahs are currently endangered, with an estimated population of just 10,000, a steep decline from about 100,000 a century ago.
In the wild, these magnificent animals are the fastest land creatures, capable of reaching speeds of 60 mph during short, intense chases that typically last less than a minute.
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