Basel Zoo has introduced its six cheetah cubs (Acinonyx jubatus) born between 4 and 5 June, following their first veterinary examination, which confirmed that all are healthy. During the check-up, veterinarians determined the sex of the cubs—four males and two females—and officially gave them their names.
The six cubs are the first offspring of Malaika, who arrived at Basel Zoo from Stuttgart Zoo in April 2024. During the examination, the youngsters received their first vaccinations and underwent a full health assessment. Malaika continues to care attentively for her first litter, nursing and grooming the cubs as they become increasingly active.
Following the zoo’s naming tradition, all animals born in the same calendar year receive names beginning with the same letter. As 2026 is the “X year”, the four males have been named Xeros, Xolobeni, Xeric and Ximba, while the two females are Xhosa and Xenia.
The cubs are now confidently exploring their outdoor habitat, playing together and resting in the shade beneath the rocks while remaining under the watchful care of their mother.
The cheetah is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, with fewer than 7,000 mature individuals remaining in the wild. Habitat loss, conflict with humans and declining prey populations continue to drive the species’ decline. The birth of these six cubs represents an important contribution to the European Endangered Species Programme (EEP), which aims to maintain a genetically healthy conservation population under human care.
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