#CheetahCubdate 8: Get to Know the Cubs by Name

Introducing Ziad and Enzi, our 5-month-old cheetah cubs!

As each cub’s personality begins to shine through, it’s the perfect time to debut their names. Ziad was named after one of Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute’s board members. The name Ziad means abundance, growth, generous and greater. This cub’s name is a great reflection of our hopes for our breeding program as we work to grow this endangered species’ population in human care. Ziad is calm, confident and curious. He is usually the first one to approach us when Amani isn’t around.

Enzi was named by a very generous donor. His name is Swahili for powerful. While Enzi is shier and more reserved than Ziad, he is a very playful cub!

In addition to their names, the cubs also recently received their first horse bones! Bones are a type of carcass feeding enrichment. Similar to the frozen-thawed rabbits the cubs have enjoyed, gnawing on horse neck or knuckle bones helps strengthen the cats’ jaw muscles and keep their teeth healthy. Bones are also a favorite of most of our cheetahs.

Amani grabbed the first bone we tossed into the family’s yard. The cubs were eager to check it out, but Amani stayed standing to keep the bone high and out of their reach. Once we got the cubs attention again, we tossed a couple more bones into the yard. With the cubs each running for their own, Amani was able to settle down and chew on hers. It was great morning enrichment and so fun to watch how they would all swap between the three bones periodically.

The cubs also have a new neighbor! Cheetah mom Rosalie and her five cubs have moved into the yard that is across the keeper walkway from Amani’s yard. Ziad and Enzi are very curious about these neighbors. Whenever we go over to feed Rosalie’s family, Ziad and Enzi will come over to their yard’s fence and watch. And Rosalie’s cubs are just as interested when Ziad and Enzi are eating or playing!

Ziad and Enzi have also made a little more progress in their training since our last update. They have started getting used to having us apply their flea and tick preventatives to their shoulders. We were able to successfully apply the medicine to both cubs for the first-time last week!

Stay tuned for more adorable cheetah cub moments and training accomplishments!

Can’t wait for the next #Cheetahcubdate? Try to catch a glimpse of this cheetah family any time on the Cheetah Cub Cam. Catch up on previous #CheetahCubdates here.