The Living Desert Launches Year of the Cheetah Initiative

From The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens:

PALM DESERT/INDIAN WELLS, CA – (September 15, 2016) – The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens is launching a year-long conservation effort focused on saving the cheetah from extinction. To kick off its “Year of the Cheetah” campaign, on Saturday, October 1, 2016, The Living Desert is hosting a daytime event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and evening event, from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

The Year of the Cheetah launch party begins at 10 a.m. at the recently remodeled cheetah exhibit, new Cheetah Conservation Outpost and throughout the park. Guests can get up-close and personal with the cheetahs, and even snap a couple selfies with the fastest land animals on earth through the new observation window. The day’s events also include special cheetah zookeeper chats, behind-the-scenes tours (additional cost), a Cheetah Spot Challenge scavenger hunt, food trucks and beer garden, Cheetah Tales story times, animal encounters, face painting, and live entertainment by the festive Zulluu band. The Year of the Cheetah daytime event is free to members or with park paid admission.

When the sun goes down, the disco ball comes out and the Saturday Night Cheetah disco party begins. Kicking off with a cocktail reception at 6 p.m., guests will enjoy a photo booth, followed by a barbeque dinner and introduction to Year of the Cheetah. The evening continues with a disco dance party and dessert. And at 9 p.m. guests can gather to do the Hustle. Admission to Saturday Night Cheetah is $40 for members and $50 for non-members; tickets are available at livingdesert.org.

“The Living Desert has always been a conservation and preservation organization with a focus on saving endangered species,” said Allen Monroe, President/CEO of The Living Desert. “Year of the Cheetah is comprised of fun, yet educational festivities designed to help bring attention to the decreasing population of this amazing animal and to support programs that work tirelessly to protect them.”

The Living Desert is home to five cheetahs. Ntombi, aged 17, has lived at The Living Desert since 2010 and is the oldest female cheetah in the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ (AZA) population; Pula, aged 15, has lived at The Living Desert since 2011. And with much excitement, the zoo recently welcomed three 1-year-old sisters – Sudi, Kali, Bela. The sisters will celebrate their second birthday on October 1 during the Year of the Cheetah festivities.

The Living Desert has selected three cheetah conservation projects to support during the year including the Sahara Conservation Fund’s Termit & Tin Toumma Project in Niger; Cheetah Conservation Fund’s Livestock Guarding Dog Program; and Action for Cheetahs in Kenya’s Ongoing Research Programs.

“Every time someone visits The Living Desert, they help save endangered species,” added Monroe. “We strive to encourage everyone to get involved, and efforts like Year of the Cheetah make it easy for people of all ages to make a big difference.”

Cheetahs are now extinct in more than 20 countries and are Africa’s most endangered cats. According to the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), in less than 20 years, the cheetah could be extinct, as there are less than 7,500 remaining in the wild.

Cheetahs can run at speeds up to 70 mph and reach that speed in just three seconds. Distinguishing the cheetah from other cats is its “tear marks” that run from the inside corners of their eyes down to the outside edges of their mouth. These marks help reflect the glare of the sun when they are hunting during the day.

Additional Year of the Cheetah events include an essay contest for students and a celebration on International Cheetah Day to be held December 4. For more information on Year of the Cheetah visit www.yearofthecheetah.org.

The Living Desert is open daily through September 30 from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and October 1 to May 30 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information about upcoming events and activities, please call (760) 346-5694 or visit www.LivingDesert.org.

Image via The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens.