SAN DIEGO – A six-week-old cheetah cub at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park was introduced to his lifelong companion – a seven-week-old puppy.
The young cheetah, Ruuxa, was chosen to be raised as an animal ambassador at the Safari Park after he was rejected by his mother and had to be hand raised by keepers.
The cheetah cub and puppy, a Rhodesian Ridgeback puppy named Raina, are being introduced by animal care staff at the Safari Park.
The zookeepers say dogs are therapeutic to cheetahs. Their body language will let the cheetah know there’s nothing to fear, which helps keep the cat calm.
The puppy will be raised with the cheetah and serve as his lifelong companion.
