Cheetah takes a stroll in Al Ain neighbourhood

AL AIN - A young cheetah, who escaped from a private captivity, was captured in a neighbourhood of Al Ain on Wednesday and taken to Al Ain Wildlife Park (Zoo) and Resort.

According to residents of Al Yahar South, a small township about 31km west of Al Ain city centre, the cheetah was spotted roaming in the neighbourhood on Wednesday.

The zoo officials, police officers and residents started a hunt for the big cat.

“The cheetah was found in the compound of an Emirati family. They called the police, and soon a strong police rescue team surrounded the house.

“They were later joined by Al Ain Zoo experts. The animal was finally captured,” Noor Mohammed, a local resident told Khaleej Times.

He said that the news of cheetah’s presence triggered panic among the residents forcing them to remain indoors. He added that many shops and restaurants in the area also remained closed.

A spokesperson from Al Ain Wildlife Park and Resort told Khaleej Times that the residents of the house where the cheetah was hiding, called the police for help. “Police team was already there when our experts, including vets arrived there and successfully captured the young cheetah that was tired and exhausted. We rushed the animal to the resort clinic for observation and treatment. The cheetah is recovering and will remain in the zoo and will be looked-after,” the official asking for anonymity said.

Another resident, Omar Hassan, said the news of the cheetah a first broke out through the exchange of Blackberry messages. He also said the young animal was also sighted roaming around different villa compounds in the area, spreading fear among the residents.

“I received a message on my Blackberry at around 5:20pm yesterday (Wednesday) saying a young cheetah has escaped from a private captivity in the area. It also read: ‘Please be cautious, keep your house compounds protected and do not let your children go out because a cheetah is on the street in the area,” he explained.

Hassan added that after the spread of the message, Al Ain Police came in action informing the residents about the presence of the big cat and advising them to be more cautious.

nissar@khaleejtimes.com