Usain Bolt’s adopted cheetah, ‘Lightening Bolt’, is growing fast


On 2 November 2009, Zeitz Foundation Ambassador for Culture (Sport), Usain Bolt adopted a cheetah named ‘Lightening Bolt’ at a ceremony at the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) Headquarters in Nairobi. Cheetahs can cover 100 meters in 6.13 seconds with a top speed of 90-112kph over 50 to 100m, meaning that Bolts’ adopted animal can give him serious competition, even if he can run 100 meters in 9.69 seconds.

Nine months later and at almost one year old ‘Lightning Bolt’ or ‘Bolt’ as he is more affectionately known is fast becoming a darling of the KWS Nairobi Animal Orphanage. His handler, Mark, looks after him on a daily basis whilst tourists and school groups from around the country regularly come to see him.

Lightening Bolt’s day begins at dawn when he and his two brothers are awoken by the raising sun. He is fed meat on the bone once a day and occasionally gets a rabbit. Lightning and his brothers keep fit by playing with a football or chasing their favourite toy, a teddy bear, around the pen. Despite the fact the Lightning won't be released into the wild, his predator instincts are still intact as he and is brothers often wrestle to get the teddy bear and see who can hold onto it for the longest.

A mark on his left ear and a fluffier mane make him stand out from his brothers.

At the same ceremony on 2 November 2009, Kenyan Prime Minister, Honorable Raila Odinga, adopted a lion cub, whilst Colin Jackson, world record holding hurdler and Zeitz Foundation Specialist for Culture (Sport), adopted an Eland.

Report compiled by Gathoni Mwai on September 2, 2010

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