Perhaps that is the cutest step ever taken in all the zoos in the world. Touching friendship is struck up between the young Cheetah and a puppy Labrador that helps him cope with nervousness and uncertainty.
Kumbali, kitty Cheetah, began to lose weight shortly after his birth in the Metro Richmond zoo in Virginia. His mother doesn’t produce enough milk to nurse their entire litter of kittens. People had to intervene to get the cub, but after his health returned to normal, his family did not want to take it back.
Kumbali began to show anxiety, and then it was decided to introduce him to Kago, an absolutely adorable Labrador puppy. History Kago is also not the most fun, however, with a happy ending – he was saved from death at a shelter in Alabama, and then brought to the zoo so he could meet his new companion.
For over 30 years, dogs are used to help cheetahs in captivity. First to this method of rehabilitation was used in the zoo San Diego, and after the success of this technique, it has been used in other zoos.
The zoo Metro Richmond say that the advantages of this method definitely outweigh the disadvantages. When puppy and kitten grow up together, they have a special, almost related, communication. The dog calms the Cheetah, and that, in turn, takes over his friend’s demeanor and eliminates the fear around.
Besides, the dog does not threaten this friendship, in fact it becomes the dominant figure in their pairs, taking on the responsibilities of protector and leader. Cheetah never not kill his friend. Experts say that Kago and Kumbali, most likely, not even notice the species difference between them. They act like normal cubs, running, jumping, and playing together.
Live from the Metro Richmond zoo once again confirms that sometimes people come up with brilliant ideas.
