Pierre Comizzoli, research biologist at SCBI and the Columbus Zoo veterinary team. Adrienne Crosier, a cheetah biologist with SCBI Dr.
On November 21, the early stage embryos from Kibibi were then implanted into Izzy while embryos from both Kibibi and Bella were implanted into her sister, Ophelia, by Dr. Once Kibibi and Bella’s eggs were extracted, the eggs were then fertilized on November 19 in a Columbus Zoo laboratory using thawed semen originally collected in February 2019 from two cheetahs: a male from Fossil Rim Wildlife Center and another from SCBI. After the age of 8 years, cheetahs’ ability to reproduce declines significantly, and because Izzy and Ophelia are 3 years old, they have a better chance to safely deliver healthy, full-term cubs. Izzy and her sister Ophelia’s bloodlines are already well represented in the genetic registry, so they were selected as surrogates. Eggs (oocytes) were taken on November 19 from 6 1/2-year-old Kibibi and 9-year-old Bella, whose genes are considered to be valuable in maintaining a strong lineage of cheetahs in human care. IVF has become a more common process with humans and some other species, but it previously has been unsuccessful in large cats, including cheetahs and lions.įemale cheetahs Kibibi and Bella first received hormone injections on November 14 to stimulate follicle development. The embryos are implanted into a female’s womb, where they may develop into fetuses. With in vitro fertilization, or IVF, sperm and eggs are fertilized in a laboratory and then incubated to create embryos.
“This achievement expands scientific knowledge of cheetah reproduction, and may become an important part of the species’ population management in the future.”Īccording to the zoo, the births are the result of careful planning and innovative medical expertise through a partnership between the Columbus Zoo, the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (SCBI) in Front Royal, Va., and Fossil Rim Wildlife Center in Glen Rose, Texas-three leading institutions with a commitment to conservation. Randy Junge, the Columbus Zoo’s Vice President of Animal Health. The puppies and cubs mutually benefit from socialization and exercise, and the timid cubs end up taking a cue from the dogs and become less fearful of their surroundings.“These two cubs may be tiny but they represent a huge accomplishment, with expert biologists and zoologists working together to create this scientific marvel,” said Dr. Pairing cheetah cubs with puppies is a relatively common practice for zoos, especially in cases when cubs have come separated from their siblings or were born without them.
He also helped mentor two other dogs at the zoo who took on similar duties. The zoo praised Coby’s “playful and calm demeanor” and recalled that he loved spending time with animals and humans alike.Ĭoby was a puppy when he first came to the zoo, where he began his “illustrious career” with cheetahs Bibi and Zemba, the zoo said. “It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of beloved cheetah ambassador dog, Coby,” the zoo wrote Thursday on Facebook.Ĭoby, an 8-year-old Labrador retriever, was euthanized after his “health significantly declined” and he began suffering “severe neurological signs” related to chronic arthritis and secondary neck compression, and there were low chances he could live a life without pain. A dog who left a lasting legacy by helping socialize cheetah cubs and comforting other animals at the Columbus Zoo has died.
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