Kulinda the Clever Cheetah at the Werribee Open Range Zoo near Melbourne has unlocked the secret to living by following a incredible healthcare routine.
Most cheetahs live to around 8 years in the wild, but at 12-years-old and one of the oldest cheetah’s in Australasia, Werribee Open Range Zoo’s Kulinda has learned to participate in a series of healthcare checks.
She can open her mouth on cue for a dental check, she can flick her tail to vets for a blood pressure cuff, or even present for blood draw – all voluntarily.
Over time, Kulinda has been trained through positive reinforcement to walk longer distances in her viewing area so that the vets are able to have a better examination of her movement and condition.
She has also been trained to voluntarily come to her station for checkups by touching her nose to a yellow square.
An extra level of monitoring is important for a cheetah of her age to make sure she remains healthy.
This approach of allowing animals to have control over their training and environment helps with their overall health and welfare.