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Cheetahs are More than Just an Attraction at the Pittsburgh Zoo

Deanna Garcia
/
90.5 WESA

The cheetahs at the Pittsburgh Zoo are more than strikingly beautiful and graceful animals. They could play an important role in the breeding of future cheetahs.

“Currently the two males and two female cheetahs that we have are still in quarantine, so behind the scenes at the Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium. But the reason that we brought them in is that we hope to, in essence, produce more cheetah offspring and help out the North American captive population of cheetahs," says Dr. Ginger Sturgeon, Director of Animal Health at the Zoo.

"So by bringing these animals in from a South African ranch. We're hoping to increase the genetic diversity. Add in new bloodlines to further insure a healthy population here in North America and that can teach young visitors and old visitors alike, how amazing cheetahs are and what they can do to help conservation."