The Saint Louis Zoo has announced the public debut of a new litter of cheetah cubs, introducing them to their habitat at River's Edge for visitors to see. The quintuplets—Asha, Bozzie, Chirpa, Milani, and Wickett—are four months old and can be viewed in the mornings between 9 and 10 a.m., although their visibility to the public is not guaranteed as they acclimate to their new environment.
Following a Star Wars theme matching their parents' names, Cora and Vader, the cubs were affectionately named after Ewoks from the beloved series. Cora, the mother cheetah, is four years old, and Vader, the father, is eight, as reported by First Alert 4. The cubs were born on May 5, a day after the annual fan-celebrated "Star Wars" day, May the Fourth.
Zoo officials have been preparing the cubs for their public introduction with various enrichments and experiences. "The cubs have approached each new enrichment with brave curiosity," Julie Hartell-DeNardo, the Saint Louis Zoo Kevin Beckmann Curator of Carnivores, told Fox2Now. These measures ensure that "Cora’s Quints" are well-adjusted and capable of handling the presence of visitors without undue stress.
According to a press release sourced by Spectrum Local News, Hartell-DeNardo says the cubs are "lively as ever," showcasing distinct personalities and sibling-like interactions through their playful antics.
