Southern California Zoo Staff Travel to Somaliland to Aid Rescued Cheetah Cubs

A dedicated team from a Southern California zoo is preparing to head to Somaliland this week to support the care of cheetah cubs recently recovered from wildlife traffickers.

The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens, based in Palm Desert, shared on Tuesday that it will send several experienced animal caregivers to assist in the rehabilitation of cubs rescued through anti-trafficking efforts in the East African region.

The operation is in partnership with the Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF), which reached out for support after authorities confiscated very young cheetahs bound for the illegal pet trade. The cheetahs were likely destined for wealthy buyers in the Gulf, where exotic animals are often kept as status symbols.

CCF runs a dedicated facility in Somaliland that focuses on rescuing and rehabilitating trafficked cheetahs. The organization notes that between 300 and 500 cheetah cubs are smuggled out of the region annually. Many perish before reaching their destinations, and those that survive typically live in poor conditions as pets.

Cheetahs are classified as “vulnerable” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), with fewer than 7,500 individuals remaining in the wild.

This marks the second deployment of Living Desert Zoo staff to Somaliland—the previous mission occurred three years ago under similar circumstances. The current team will depart on July 18, reaffirming the zoo’s long-term dedication to wildlife protection and international conservation efforts.

“This is a story about illegal wildlife trade driven by greed—and about the determined animal experts risking their safety to safeguard endangered species,” the zoo said in a statement.

The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens is a nonprofit institution accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, committed to excellence in animal welfare, conservation, and education.