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| File image of a cheetah |
A woman from Kursi Village in Garissa County has astonished wildlife authorities after it was discovered that she had been living with a cheetah in her home for almost two years, treating it like a domestic cat.
In a statement on X on Thursday, October 23, 2025, the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) said the woman had rescued the cheetah cub after finding it stranded and decided to raise it herself.
KWS said the woman fed, bathed, and even leashed the wild animal as though it were a household pet.
“Through our Community and Wildlife Service Division, we learned of this extraordinary act of kindness,” KWS said. “However, while her intentions were noble, keeping wildlife—even out of love—is against the Wildlife Conservation and Management Act (WCMA), which protects wild animals and ensures their wellbeing in their natural habitats.”
The agency said its officers safely retrieved the cheetah and handed it over to veterinary experts for a full medical check-up.
The animal was found to be in good health and samples were collected for further testing. It was also treated for parasites.
𝐀 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐘𝐞𝐭 𝐇𝐮𝐦𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐆𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐚
— Kenya Wildlife Service (@KWSKenya) October 23, 2025
In Kursi Village, Garissa County, a compassionate woman once rescued a stranded cheetah cub and lovingly raised it as her own for nearly two years - feeding, bathing, and even leashing it like… pic.twitter.com/7nc1Zd2p2a
KWS confirmed that the cheetah is now under professional care at the Nairobi Safari Walk, where it is thriving as part of conservation and education programmes.
“We deeply appreciate the Good Samaritan’s compassion and remind all Kenyans that true coexistence means protecting wildlife where they belong—in the wild,” the agency added.
Tourism Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano praised the woman’s compassion but reminded Kenyans that keeping wild animals as pets is both unlawful and unsafe.
“We celebrate the compassion of the Garissa kind-hearted heroine who rescued a lost cheetah cub and kept it safe for nearly two years. That level of compassion is what makes Kenya special. You saved a life!” Miano said.
The CS also commended KWS officers for their prompt response, saying the case highlights the importance of managing the human-wildlife interface responsibly.
“Let’s ensure both people and wildlife stay safe and be responsible stewards of our natural heritage together,” she said.
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