Maryland Zoo, Chapter 6: Cheetahs and African Elephants

 The pair of Cheetah, Acinonyx jubatus, males were just soaking up the sun on this chilly day.  Siblings, it is not unusual for male litter mates for form life long bonds of mutual protection.  Unlike other species, females will leave the sibling unit when they reach sexual maturity and lead solitary lives.

 The Maryland zoo is home to 4 African Elephants, Loxodonta africana.  The group consists of a mature bull, Tuffy, two females Anna and Felix and a juvenile (5-year-old) male, Samson.  The juvenile male is the only animal with tusks, and was sired by Tuffy and the younger of the two females, Felix.  It was lunch time when I arrived, stick and straw were on the menu.

 Felix holds an unusual distinction among Elephants in North American zoos, she was born in South Africa.

 The Bull resides in a space all his own.