A Kenyan family has shared their heartwarming experience of raising an orphaned cheetah cub they found after its mother was killed. Despite facing opposition from their neighbors in Wajir County, the family chose to nurture the cub, quickly forming a bond that made it feel like one of their own children.
Initially, skepticism surrounded the family as concerns over livestock safety arose, typical in a community dependent on animal husbandry. 'Many people told us to get rid of the cub to protect our livestock,' recounted Bisharo Abdirahman Omar, emphasizing their commitment to the cub's welfare.
Rashid Abdi Hussein, the father, explained the decision to raise the cub instead of selling it, despite offers reaching up to 20,000 Kenyan shillings. Instead, they fed it milk through a syringe before transitioning to meat, even slaughtering sheep to ensure the cub was well taken care of. 'We have made a big sacrifice,' he stated, reflecting on their dedication.
The family's unique choice has drawn praise from the Kenya Wildlife Service, who recognized their kindness against a backdrop of wildlife trafficking and poaching threats. Cheetah cubs are particularly at risk, with hundreds being smuggled across borders annually for illegal pet trade.
While the family was approached with offers, they refused to abandon the cub, growing increasingly attached over two years. 'The animal was troublesome at first, but in the end, it became tame and part of our family,' Hussein noted. His sentiments echo a broader call for wildlife protection amidst growing threats to Kenya's fauna by poaching and habitat loss.
Now residing at the Nairobi Safari Walk, the cheetah serves as a reminder of both the fragility of wildlife and the remarkable bonds that can be formed between humans and animals when compassion prevails over conventional norms.
