Endangered cheetah cubs born at Cork's Fota Wildlife Park

The Northern cheetah cubs mark a major conservation milestone as Fota reports rising visitor numbers following its reopening

The two recently born cheetah cubs in Fota Wildlife Park. Pictures: Darragh Kane

Fota Wildlife Park is celebrating the birth of two endangered cheetah cubs.

The cubs were born on November 24, 2025, and are set to become stars at the Cork facility.

The Northern cheetah cubs — a male and a female — are the offspring of mother Florence and father Nawab.

Florence, who is five, was born at Fota Wildlife Park. Nawab, aged six, was transferred to the park from Wadi Al Safa Wildlife Centre in Dubai as part of a European Endangered Breeding Programme (EEP).

Listed as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Northern cheetah habitats across the savannahs and grasslands of North and East Africa continue to decline due to human-wildlife conflict and illegal wildlife trade.

It is estimated that approximately 600 Northern cheetahs remain in the wild.

A spokesperson for Fota Wildlife Park said births like these represent a significant contribution to the EEP, which the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA) coordinates.

Senior ranger, John Leahy said: “We are delighted to announce the birth of these endangered cubs. They are an important example of the international collaboration between zoological institutions, as well as the vital conservation work and high standards of animal care at Fota Wildlife Park in helping to protect endangered species."

Florence with her new cubs in Fota Wildlife Park. Pictures: Darragh Kane.

A first-time mother, Florence appears to be "adapting extremely well to her new role".

"While we continue to monitor the animals very closely, we do so remotely, to avoid causing any stress to the mother or her newborns. Their den is fitted with cameras, so we can discreetly observe and assess mum and cubs continuously," added Mr Leahy.

The cubs are developing well and have begun eating small amounts of meat shared by Florence, while continuing to nurse from her.

Visitors to Fota Wildlife Park can already see the cubs running around their habitat each day, growing bigger by the day.

The announcement comes as Fota Wildlife Park has recorded a 50% increase in visitor numbers compared with the same period last year, following its reopening after a bird flu-enforced 10-week closure.

The park reopened on December 20, 2025, after what was described as “a very challenging time”, during which staff had to humanely euthanise more than 73 birds.