PITTSBURGH — Four new cheetahs got check-ups at the Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium on Tuesday.
During the exam, Dr. Ginger Sturgeon and the Animal Care Center health team evaluated the animals' overall condition. They obtained radiographs, administered X-rays, took blood and checked the animal's vitals such as heart rate, breathing and blood pressure.
"The first physical is the most important because it provides us with a baseline of the animal's overall health and alerts me to any possible conditions that could arise in the future or the need to be re-evaluated at a later date," said Sturgeon.
Born at a ranch in the wilds of South Africa, the two male and two female cheetahs now are spending time behind-the-scenes at the Zoo's new Animal Care Center, adjusting to their new home and keepers.
As per zoo protocol, all new animals arriving at the zoo spend time behind-the-scenes, which provides them with a calm, quiet place to adjust to their new surroundings.
"Cheetahs are extremely endangered in the wild," said Dr. Barbara Baker, president and CEO of the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium. "Our new cheetahs are genetically valuable as their genetics have not been introduced into the North American population and this is an effort to help revitalize the population in zoos around the country."
"It will be exciting for visitors to see the cheetahs this spring," said Baker. "They are young and energetic and will provide us with an opportunity to educate our visitors and demonstrate how we can all play a part in helping to save this beautiful species."