Vienna, Austria - October 23, 2025 Schönbrunn Zoo, the world’s oldest zoo, celebrates the birth of three cheetah cubs, the first offspring of a newly introduced pair. The male arrived in spring, and by early September, the pair had already produced three healthy cubs, contributing vital genetic diversity to the European Endangered Species Breeding Program. “As this is the first breeding for both animals, the cubs are making an important contribution to genetic diversity,” said zoo director Dr. Stephan Hering-Hagenbeck. Cheetahs are classified as “endangered” on the IUCN Red List, with habitat loss in the African savannah threatening the species. The cheetah enclosure was redesigned three years ago, removing glass panes and creating a new moat to provide near-natural barriers. Visitors now have an unobstructed view, allowing them to observe mother and cubs closely. Artificial clay mounds serve both as platforms and as concealed dens, where the female gave birth safely. “The first three and a half weeks, the cubs were raised in the den,” said district manager Andreas Eder. “Only then did the mother take them outside for the first time.” The cubs are still nursing, and the mother will soon introduce them to meat. In the wild, cheetah cubs face high predation, but at the zoo, the mother remains vigilant, calling her cubs when they stray and responding to their signals of unease. After active play, the cubs cuddle close to their mother, who licks them tenderly, reinforcing the bond and care essential for their growth.