Cheetah Leaves 5 Babies Abandoned After Fatal Predator Encounter

Ashia was a female cheetah with a pretty extraordinary backstory that made her stand out in the world of wildlife conservation. She and her brother were orphaned at a young age, meaning they lost their mother. This is something that usually spells disaster for cheetah cubs.

In the wild, cheetah cub survival rates are already low, and without a mother, their chances plummet. But Ashia and her brother were lucky; they were rescued by a group called Ashia Cheetah Conservation, an organisation based in South Africa that focuses on rescuing orphaned cheetah cubs, rehabilitating them, and, when possible, giving them a second chance to live in the wild.

Ashia was part of that program and eventually grew strong and healthy enough to be released back into her natural habitat. That release happened in 2021, in Madikwe Game Reserve, a well-known protected area in South Africa that supports cheetah conservation efforts.

Her real claim to fame came later, though. In 2023, Ashia had her first litter of four cubs, which is a big milestone for any cheetah, but especially one raised by humans and reintroduced to the wild. Raising cubs in the wild is tough.

Ashia’s first litter of cubs
By Ashia Cheetah Conservation

Ashia’s first litter of cubs
By Ashia Cheetah Conservation

Cheetahs face constant threats from bigger predators like lions, leopards, and hyenas, who often target cheetah cubs. Despite those challenges, three of Ashia's first four cubs survived to adulthood, which is considered a huge success in the cheetah world.

What adds to Ashia’s remarkable story is that not only did she face the same dangers any wild cheetah mother faces, like lions, leopards, and hyenas, but she also carried the weight of her upbringing. She was an orphan, raised by humans, which is never an easy path for a cheetah.

Most cheetahs that grow up in human care struggle to make it in the wild. Rewilding isn’t guaranteed. It takes time, effort, and often heartbreak, because many of them never fully adapt to the harsh realities of life in reserves like Madikwe.

But Ashia didn’t stop there. She had a second litter, and not just another two or three cubs, but five cubs. And remarkably, all five of those cubs survived and reached around 11 months of age, which again is exceptional given how fragile young cheetahs are in their early months.

Sadly, life in the wild eventually caught up with Ashia. Despite her incredible success as both a rewilded cheetah and a devoted mother, she recently lost her life, most likely during a hyena attack. The exact details are hard to confirm. By the time rangers found her, there wasn’t much left to determine precisely what happened.

All signs point to her being targeted while defending her cubs. In a place like Madikwe Game Reserve, that’s always a real risk. Predators like lions, leopards, and hyenas don’t just compete with cheetahs; they actively target them, especially solitary females with cubs.

Ashia’s loss hits hard for conservationists because skilled, proven mothers like her are essential for keeping cheetah populations alive and genetically healthy.

What Happened to The 5 Cubs

Ironically, the same fate that shaped Ashia’s life has repeated itself. Her own cubs have been orphaned, in eerily similar circumstances. Ashia likely died defending them, just as their grandmother once vanished, leaving Ashia and her brother vulnerable. It’s a painful cycle, but the hopeful part is that history is also repeating itself in a good way:

Her cubs are now in the care of the same dedicated team that rescued and raised her. The very people who gave Ashia her second chance (and the project that she was named after) are now stepping in for her cubs, monitoring them, protecting them, and, if needed, raising them with the same goal of goal of seeing them live wild and free, just like their mother did.

By Karin Tièche