Cheetahs!

[JCMach1]

Am I politically wrong to pet an orphaned Cheetah raised in an orphanage in Kenya?



Ummmmm did I mention they purr like the biggest housecat you ever heard?

[WillParkinson]

1. Hm. The link doesn't work for me, but after clicking it I can see the picture...

I don't think it's wrong.

When I was working during the Circus Parade in Milwaukee there was a woman in one of our rooms who had 2 cat carriers. I saw the kitties inside and said they were adorable and asked her what they were. She said they were lion cubs. I asked her if the bite. She said no. I said I wasn't going to go near them, but I was curious. She walked over and opened the doors on the carriers. The lion cubs walked over to me and started rubbing against my legs like a house cat. It was very cool and helped me understand the need to protect animals a little more.

[REP]

2. If it's wrong, I never want to be right

Deep, deep envy - but the nice kind, if there is such a thing. I'm glad you got to, and I wish I were there! They're beautiful creatures.

[MissHoneychurch]

3. I agree with REP

what an amazing experience. I am jealous.

[JCMach1]

4. Even though their handlers were there ( I had an insider tour)...

i.e. friend of a friend who was a Ranger for the Gov.

It is a bit freaky to be a cage with a bunch of powerful predators. There weren't just 2. There were about 5 in the enclosure.

[MissHoneychurch]

5. Do you have more pictures?

and in case I ever come to Kenya, may I tell them I am your friend? :D

[JCMach1]

8. Sure, will do

It used to be a regular thing at the orphanage UNTIL a tourist was bitten some time back. It wasn't by the Cheetahs though

[MrsMatt]

6. Cheetahs are my favorite big cats

I'm a bit envious for your experience.

[kimi]

7. One of my kitties

has a heart condition which allows her to be treated by a vet cardiologist who helps to takes care of some of the big cats at the National Zoo in DC. She's nowhere near that size, or that celebrity, but she's a doll to me.

Gorgeous animals, cheetahs. The Cadillacs of cats.

[JCMach1]

9. Lots of kitties at the orphanage... Cerval cats, Bush cats, etc.

[kimi]

11. I would love

for any extra treatment for ANY of my kitties to go to your big cats over there, really. I love my babies, but I know that they can be treated by a competent vet here in the States. And I'd like to see those lovely wild cats preserved.

They are gorgeous, worthy of conservation for so many reasons.

[Orsino]

10. Hearing and feeling a cheetah purr is worth any censure, probably. n/t

[JCMach1]

12. I did actually think about it, but then I realized these are orphan animals who had to be carefully

hand-raised as Cheetah's are pretty delicate...

One of the cutest things I ever saw (didn't get a picture of course) was of the kitten-sitter/handler sitting in the middle of the per with her own baby girl (about 6 months) with two baby lions and a baby cheetah playing around her and the little girl.

Was overwhelmed by kitten cuteness...

[Tuesday Afternoon]

13. I would love to do it...

lucky You!

beautiful creatures.

[DinahMoeHum]

14. I watched Animal Planet's "Big Cat Diary" all winter. . .

and at night I was dreaming of big cats purring and nuzzling up to me.

Beautiful creatures, those cheetahs.