Royal Cheetah Cub

This little guy is known as a "Royal" Cheetah...
Unfortunately - he's a genetic error - that wouldn't survive in the wild. His "spots" are all running into "stripes", which, apparently, doesn't give them the same camoflage protection they would normally get.
I couldn't believe how soft he was. Just like a regular domestic cat!

HOSTED PHOTO
please log in to view hosted photos in full size.

HOSTED PHOTO
please log in to view hosted photos in full size.

Great captures, where were they taken??

I want one. Did you see my cheetah post? I wouldn't dare touch this guy. He was trying to get at a nearby dog as it was. https://photography-on-the.net …php?p=1648269#p​ost1648269

Did they remove him from the wild because of his coloring, or why was he in captivity, orphaned maybe?

Great shots...

Hi Guys;
The shots were taken at The Spier Estate between Stellenbosch & Cape Town, South Africa. They're part of a study group & breeding program. Most of the cats are re-released back into the wild; but this little guy was destined for a zoo somewhere...
He was one of a litter of six they had in the compound at the time...
Lee

scraggles wrote:
I want one. Did you see my cheetah post? I wouldn't dare touch this guy. He was trying to get at a nearby dog as it was. https://photography-on-the.net …php?p=1648269#p​ost1648269

Hi Scraggles;
YEP - the little fella certainly looked "cute & cuddly", but he WILL turn into the snarling beast that you captured !!!
As for your request for comments on your shot; my two cents worth...
It all depends on what you wanted to portray! If you set out to capture a caged animal, then the cables certainly put that into perspective. I think that I would have preferred to try "blurring out" the cables, by getting in closer and waiting for the Cheetah to back-off a little - but then I guess you will have missed the snarl!
Sometimes we have to take what we can get!
Lee

Normally called a King Cheetah.

I'd be surprised if he was ever released to the wild. Cheetahs that are born in captivity never learn how to apply the choke kill from their mother. It's more likely he and all of his siblings will stay in captivity for breeding.

I've seen photos of wild king cheetahs. I think they were in NG. Weak genetics may be a bigger inhibiter to their survival than an odd camo pattern.

Hello Joe & Rubberhead;
Many thanks for the heads-up on the correct name...
A Google search certainly indicates this should be a "King" not a "Royal" Cheetah.
I'm usually a fairly cyncical ***, but, on this occassion, I appear to have been taken by the "expert"...
C'est la vie. He was still a really good- looking chap, and I was very happy to have been up-close with him.
Lee