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Photo credit: people.com
Taylor Swift: The Cheetah Cub’s Journey to Safety
Taylor Swift, a cheetah cub just a few months old, has already experienced several transformative phases in her brief life.
Initially born in the wild, the cub was cared for by her mother until she was tragically poached from her natural habitat in Africa. This was done by individuals aiming to profit from the illegal wildlife pet trade, as detailed by the Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF).
The CCF, a nonprofit organization based in Namibia that is committed to the conservation of the dwindling cheetah population, intervened to rescue the cub before she could be exploited further. When rescuers found her, she weighed merely three pounds, comparable to a domestic kitten.
Currently, Taylor is thriving, having made significant progress in her recovery at the CCF facility. Her early weeks were focused on adjusting to a nutritious diet and beginning touch training. This training, essential for acclimatizing cubs to gentle human contact, prepares Taylor for her upcoming vaccinations, as explained by CCF’s founder and executive director, Dr. Laurie Marker.
“Though it may not be the Eras tour, Taylor’s training has been exceptionally successful so far,” Dr. Marker remarked.
Dr. Marker noted that the choice to name the cheetah cub Taylor Swift was a tribute to the pop icon’s well-known affinity for cats.
As a pioneer in cheetah research and conservation, CCF aims to provide aid to these vulnerable animals, whose wild population has dwindled to less than 7,000. In addition to its headquarters in Namibia, the organization has recently established a new wildlife reserve in Somaliland, specifically for cheetahs rescued from illicit trade.
Taylor Swift is gradually acclimating to her new environment at the Somaliland center, a sprawling 1,800-acre sanctuary offering enclosures ranging from 5 to 12 acres. This facility allows rescued cheetahs like Taylor to rehabilitate in outdoor settings, enabling them to play and regain their health.
Source
people.com