Cheetahs in zoos face unique welfare challenges from their high-speed locomotion requirements, stress sensitivity, and complex social systems that differ from other big cats.
Cheetah welfare in captivity presents a fundamental challenge around space. While no zoo can provide the large territories cheetahs use in the wild, enrichment that allows expression of their speed and pursuit drive is critical. Chronic stress in cheetahs manifests as health problems, reproductive failure and stereotypic behaviours. Social management requires understanding individual personality and social preferences - forced cohabitation of incompatible individuals causes severe chronic stress. Welfare assessment in cheetahs should include physiological stress indicators alongside behaviour because cheetahs can appear calm while experiencing significant physiological stress.