FRIENDSHIP CLAWS The Safari Park’s Newest Animal Ambassador Pair By Peggy Scott ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Photos by Ken Bohn SDZG PHOTOGRAPHER
R
aina can “spot” a friend a mile away, and when this Rhodesian ridgeback puppy met her new animal ambassador partner, a male cheetah cub named Ruuxa, it was love at first (play) bite! Introduced when they were just weeks old, the 5-pound puppy and 2.2-pound cheetah bonded immediately, alternating between rousing—albeit slightly wobbly—romp sessions and naptime cuddle-fests. The precious pair’s relationship was off to a good and, just as important, early start, notes Susie Ekard, animal training manager at the Safari Park. “We put them together as soon as was safely possible,” Susie says. “Ruuxa was a singleton cub, and mother cheetahs usually reject singles, which was exactly the case this time. Singletons are hand raised, so we thought he would be a good ambassador candidate. And since singletons aren’t as socially adept, we wanted to pair him with a dog friend as young as we could.” While the idea of pairing a cheetah with a dog may seem odd, both animals have innate characteristics that make the relationship work. “Cheetahs, by nature, are shy and wary cats,” Susie explains.
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