In Kursi Village, Garissa County, a compassionate woman rescued a stranded cheetah cub and lovingly raised it as her own for nearly two years — feeding, bathing, and even leashing it like a pet cat.
Through the Community and Wildlife Service Division, the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) learned of this extraordinary act of kindness. While her intentions were noble, keeping wild animals — even out of love — contravenes the Wildlife Conservation and Management Act (WCMA), which safeguards wildlife and ensures they thrive in their natural habitats.
KWS officers safely took in the cheetah and handed it over to the veterinary team for a full health check. The cub was found to be in good condition, with samples collected for laboratory testing and treatment administered for parasite control.
Now under expert care at the Nairobi Safari Walk, the young cheetah continues to thrive as part of ongoing conservation and education initiatives.
KWS commends the Good Samaritan’s compassion and reminds Kenyans that true coexistence means protecting wildlife where they belong — in the wild.
