Cheetahs are the world's fastest land animals whose welfare in captivity requires attention to space, social management and opportunities for natural locomotion.
Cheetah welfare in zoos requires large spaces that allow running behaviour, appropriate social grouping and minimal stress from visitor pressure. Stereotypic pacing indicates inadequate space and complexity. Their sensitivity to stress makes careful management essential, with retreat areas away from visitor viewing essential for welfare. Modern best-practice cheetah exhibits provide large, varied spaces with lure coursing opportunities. The conservation value of zoo cheetahs is significant given wild population decline.