CINCINNATI — The Cincinnati Zoo’s cheetah cub, Kris, is too stinking cute. But pairing her with a rescue puppy is a recipe for melting hearts.
The almost-three-month-old cheetah pranced around pumpkins, chased balls and rolled around with her best friend, Remus, on Thursday as the zoo kicked off its HallZOOween event.
Zookeepers paired Kris and Remus together for companionship; Remus acts as Kris’ “surrogate sibling” so they can grow up and experience things together. The pairing is also instrumental to the Cincinnati Zoo’s Cat Ambassador Program.
Kris was born on July 7 at the zoo’s Mast Farm Breeding Center. Kris was the only surviving cub of the litter, so zoo officials decided to hand-raise her. That left Kris alone and without siblings. Enter Remus.
Zoo officials rescued Remus from the Animal Rescue Fund. Remus was selected as a sibling for Kris because of his good nature and high energy level.
Cheetahs typically venture away from their mother and siblings when they are about two years old, so zookeepers suspect that's when Kris and Remus will grow apart. But ultimately, the personalities of the animals dictate when they separate.
Cincinnati Zoo’s HallZOOween starts this weekend and runs every weekend in October from noon to 5 p.m.
This story was originally published by Abby Anstead on WCPO in Cincinnati.
