Animal Diaries Archive

Cheetah Hut

24 February 2006

Over the past few weeks we have had the construction team visiting our off-display cheetah enclosure. We decided that since the days are still so warm even at the tail-end of summer, and the cheetahs spend so much time on top of the hill in their enclosure, we should build them a hut.

The hill in their enclosure is in full sun all day and can get extremely hot. But if you're a cheetah, then keeping an eye on everyone is your job! So we decided to make their job a little more comfortable for them by building an undercover hut with a raised platform. Now they can see even more and be able to lay up there in comfort. The cheetahs often enjoy watching all the staff getting in and out of their cars in the carpark. Just like watching a little ant colony scurrying around.

The hut has now been completed and they spend nearly all day hanging out up there. It's usually a fight between the four cheetahs as to who gets the shadiest spot. The hut has even given us the added advantage of being able to add more enrichment to their enclosure. We are now able to hang large branches and toys off the roof for them to play with. The hut has been a definite improvement to the cheetah enclosure. Well done, construction team!