Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!uoft02!desire!sbishop
From: sbishop@desire.wright.edu
Newsgroups: sci.bio
Subject: Cheetahs, extinction and survival
Message-ID: <89.26234769@desire.wright.edu>
Date: 11 Apr 90 20:04:09 GMT
Lines: 11

I was fortunate enough to be at a lecture by Carolyn Hillman (sorry I may have
mangled her name) who is the spokeswoman for the Cincinnati Zoo.  She raised
Angel the cheetah who is the zoo mascot.  She said that cheetahs are 
reproducing poorly in captivity and may well be extinct within twenty years.  One
major problem seems to be a very low sperm count probably due to the genetic
simularity of the animals in the breed.  Research is being done but so far
there doesn't seem to be a solution.  I was able to see Angel at extremely
close range and am very saddened that this gorgeous animal is yet another
victim of the loss of habitat and ecological support systems to farming and
grazing.  BTW, Carolyn is a really nice person.  She travels all over the world
with Angel.