Curiosity meets chaos in a heartwarming and hilarious moment at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, where three energetic cheetah cubs—Zola, Kiara, and Lulu—faced off against a most unusual intruder: a giant motorized centipede toy.
As part of the zoo’s Cat Ambassador Team, the cubs are often allowed to explore different areas while their caretakers prepare meals. During one of these behind-the-scenes exploration sessions, the unexpected appearance of a buzzing, crawling toy centipede threw the trio into an entertaining frenzy.
At first, the cubs appeared taken aback—the centipede’s erratic movements across the kitchen floor sparked instinctive reactions. Some cubs backed away in startled surprise, while others tentatively approached, their natural predatory instincts clashing with uncertainty. Unlike prey in the wild, this centipede zigzagged unpredictably, leaving the young cheetahs unsure whether to chase or avoid it.
One cub slowly tiptoed toward the toy, cautiously lifting a paw to give it a light tap. The moment the battery-powered bug jerked forward, the startled cub scrambled backward. Another cub crouched low to the ground, tail twitching in anticipation, planning its next move. The third stood at a safer distance, wide-eyed and skeptical, unsure of this peculiar new adversary.
The scene reached comical heights when a zookeeper picked up the toy and swung it in front of the cubs. With renewed courage, they batted at it, mewing and pouncing with curiosity and excitement. Once the centipede was placed back on the ground, the confusion—and fun—resumed.
This charming episode wasn’t just for laughs. It served as a valuable enrichment experience, part of the zoo’s larger mission to develop both mental and physical skills in its Animal Ambassador residents. Enrichment activities like these simulate challenges animals might face in the wild, encouraging problem-solving and agility.
The Cincinnati Zoo has long been a leader in cheetah conservation, using interactive programs to both educate and inspire. Zola, Kiara, and Lulu are being trained to participate in these outreach efforts. While the video of their centipede encounter garners smiles from viewers, it also highlights the engaging way zoos can teach the public about wildlife preservation.
Cheetahs are more than just fast. Known for their incredible agility and raw speed—reaching up to 70 miles per hour—cheetahs have become icons of the animal kingdom. But behind their speed lies a species in crisis. Habitat loss, human-wildlife conflict, and illegal poaching have brought wild cheetah populations to dangerously low numbers. Programs like the one at Cincinnati Zoo aim to raise awareness and give people a personal connection to these majestic animals.
- Zola, Kiara, and Lulu are part of the Cat Ambassador Team, where they help foster public awareness.
- Enrichment sessions like the one with the motorized centipede aid in behavioral development.
- The zoo incorporates educational outreach in its conservation mission, featuring live demonstrations showing the cheetahs in action.
This unexpected game of cat versus prosthetic bug was captured in a behind-the-scenes video shared by the zoo. The cubs navigated the unfamiliar hallways of the food prep kitchen, exploring boldly—and at times hilariously—while continuing their training.
@cincinnatizoo Behind the scenes centipede enrichment for the cheetah cubs! It’s cold in Cincinnati this week so the cubs are exploring more behind the scenes areas with their care team! Here they visited the kitchen where the Cat Ambassador Team prepares diets for the animals they care for! The cubs are doing well and are becoming amazing little ambassadors for their endangered species. ♬ Love You So – The King Khan & BBQ Show
With each playful leap and cautious approach, Zola, Kiara, and Lulu not only entertain, but also educate. Their comical encounter with a robotic centipede reflects the instincts, curiosity, and adaptability that characterize cheetahs in the wild—and those whose survival now depends more than ever on human compassion and action.
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