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Captive breeding programs


Captive breeding programs
Photo Information
Copyright: Gerhard Theron (gerhardt) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1936 W: 244 N: 4106] (11620)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2005-12-03
Categories: Mammals
Camera: Canon EOS 20D, Canon EF 50mm F/1.8 II, Digital ISO 100, Hoya UV - 58mm
Exposure: f/5.6, 1/100 seconds
Details: (Fill) Flash: Yes
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Doctor Dolittle and his animals, Baby Animals 3, Naturalmente...., Club: on the hands: the nature in our hands [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2005-12-05 8:17
Viewed: 6958
Favorites: 3 [view]
Points: 47
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Cheetah cub
Acinonyx jubatus

The fastest land animal in the world, the cheetah is a marvel of evolution. Capable of running up to 70 miles per hour, the cheetah’s slender, long-legged body is built for speed. Its spotted coat, small head and ears, and distinctive "tear stripes" from the corner of the eyes down the sides of the nose make the cheetah highly recognizable among the large cats of Africa.

The cheetah is smaller than other big cats, measuring 44 to 53 inches long with a tail length of 26 to 33 inches. Cheetahs usually weigh 110 to 140 pounds.

An estimated 9,000 cheetahs remain in the wild. The future of the cheetah is doubtful because of increasing loss of habitat, declines in prey, high cub mortality rates and conflict with ranchers.

Cub mortality in the wild is on average about 30% with figures in certain areas dropping as low as 5%. To ensure the continued existince captive breeding programs ensure, promotes and funds the conservation of cheetah and other endangered species. They increase public awareness and funds research. The Savannah Reserve we visited take special care of these critters. Pieter and Estelle are dedicated to their work and I doubt if you would find more "caring parents" for these little ones.

This cub is one of a litter of nine that arrived two weeks ago. Two cubs did not survive. It is an unusual large sized litter with litters usually being two or three. They need to be fed every three hours. Valuable research data are recorded and analysed to ensure the correct intake, weight gain and health status.

Future plans for a "re-introduction into the wild" program are underway. I am very glad that these critters are in such good hands.

Paul's visit was a special treat and I enjoyed spending a week with him very much. I saw his "sad eyes" post today and hope this young one in the photo will not be fully grown before he visits us again.

PS. Ask him about the rhino's... :)
scottevers7, red45, Fisher, chiliu, marhowie, dew77, duckpond, wallhalla15, PDP, Janice, manyee, mrvdm1, OdetteVN, coasties, Luc, shal has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To PDP: What rhinos?Janice 1 12-05 22:39
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Critiques [Translate]

Hi Gerhardt,
Amazing! The cutness factor is off the chart here. The composition and framing are superb. Exposure and detail are perfect. I hope that he grows up to be able to return to the wild.
Scott

  • Great 
  • red45 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2636 W: 74 N: 9091] (31094)
  • [2005-12-05 8:27]

Not much to say about this one Gerhard, maybe except - THIS IS SURE WINNER IN MEGACUTE ANIMAL CATEGORY! So lovely picture! Very interesting story in note, I hope this one will be succesfuly reintroduced.

Hi Gerhard,

My favorite of the big cats.
Cutie, and well done on the composition and capture. Excellent presentation.

Mike

Hi Gerhard,
Excellent capture of this fellow with a cute face!
Very good details and colours.
Well done and thank you for posting!

I love watching your cute friends! Cheetah it's something amazing!
Do you think he will be a wild cat ar forever stay in friendship with people?

Very touching photo. Must be such a great feeling to work with these wonderful powerful animals.

Nice on Gerhardt.

Demetrio

  • Great 
  • dew77 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 4432 W: 248 N: 4028] (13270)
  • [2005-12-05 10:18]

Hello Gerhard!
Magnificent capture.I liked expression on face,details,sharpness,framing,POV and your cute model a lot.TFS...:-)

  • Great 
  • Ninfa Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 112 W: 3 N: 204] (747)
  • [2005-12-05 11:08]

Hola Gerhar, this sad look of the small one is impactante: sadness, sobreviencia, fragility, fondness, and many things are expressed... the caressing hand and protector gives to this a special feeling. I have added this picture to my favorite ones and a special topic with the direct touch to my heart, to frequently appreciate them and to remember the big and wonderful that is the nature. The composition is beautiful and you have framed it in a very guessed right way. Saludos Cordiales. *Ninfa Urania*

Very nice pic. The composition is very good. The colours are excellent.

TFS

Excellent shot, good focus and composition. The shiney eyes are great.

Fun to play with them hey? Had the privilege a few weeks ago and it is amazing.

Nice frame.

My only critique would be the writing on the photograph, personally I think good shots should never be writen on.

Hi Gerhardt,
sooooo cute, I love your shot.
This little cat looks so lovely, thank you very much, you put a smile on my face, thanks
Sabine - wishnugaruda

Lovely portrait shot Gerhard, great sharpness and colours, well captured too. Thanks for sharing.

  • Great 
  • PDP Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor [C: 2821 W: 344 N: 3779] (11769)
  • [2005-12-05 17:33]
  • [+]

Hi Gerhard, very nice shot of this cutie. It was a great day.

What rhinos? :-)

  • Great 
  • Janice Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3277 W: 148 N: 6163] (18832)
  • [2005-12-05 22:44]

What a cutie Gerhard, so sweet and cuddly, with that worried look on his face. And what an excellent place the Savannah Reserve must be. I hope this one makes it through.
Janice

Hi Gerhard,
this a great portrait of this cutie. The cute-factor is very high. Lovely colours and good details.
Excellent work.

  • Great 
  • manyee Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3089 W: 230 N: 6774] (23770)
  • [2005-12-06 2:54]

Totally lovable, Gerhard. He reminds me of one of those Ewoks from Star Wars. Sharp details and beautiful light. Wonderful note. I hope that little one will make it back to the wild successfully. TFS. : )

Very high cute factor Gerhard! Superb note and photo quality. Good to hear you and Paul had an enjoyable time together. Very well done my friend.

What a cutie! This is a very nice shot. Very good details and colours. I would love it to have one of these cheetahs.

Wow... cute factor way high on this one Gerhard. Lovely close portrait. Nice catchlight in the very sleepy eyes. Lovely details. Thanks.

Absolutely adorable shot. Great close up of this beautiful creature. :)

LOVE the pic Gerhardt!!! What a precious, precious animal! How much we have to lose if they go extinct :(

  • Great 
  • shal Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 256 W: 64 N: 481] (2140)
  • [2006-04-20 8:37]

Hey Gerhard,
my my such an adorable darlin' he's gorgeous,
excellent compo. and great post :)
Cheers TFS,
Vishal Sabharwal

AAAAAWWWWWWW!! Hi Gerhard,

What a cute little cheetah cub! That is definitely one of the best and cutest picture of any cheetah cub that I have ever seen!

Extremely well done,

Danny

Such a cute shot! The pov is excellent. Sparkle in the eyes look good.

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