Still wild about each other: The cheetah and labrador raised together since cub and puppy remain best friends a year on

By Julian Gavaghan
PUBLISHED: 12:19, 23 April 2012 | UPDATED: 13:17, 23 April 2012
A cheetah cub and labrador puppy raised together at an animal park are the best of friends a year later.
Kasi the cheetah was just eight-weeks-old when he was introduced to Mtani, a 16-week-old female labrador.
At the time Mtani towered over her younger friend and let the tiny cub clamber all over her.
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Animal magnetism: Kasi, the cheetah and best friend Mtani, the labrador brush faces together at Busch Gardens in Tampa, Florida

Now, a year later, the pair are the same height, and live together full time in the Cheetah habitat at Busch Gardens, Tampa, Florida.
These amazing pictures show them standing proudly shoulder to shoulder, and brushing their heads together, just like adolescent cheetah siblings.


Zoo manager Tim Smith explained: ‘Male cheetahs are social and often live together in coalitions.
‘This social bond between Kasi and Mtani will be a very similar relationship, and they will be together for life.’

Bond: Kasi and Mtani, who have been raised together, stand shoulder to shoulder as they both watch the world go by

Standing tall: While once smaller than his labrador friend, Kasi now towers above Mtani

Happy as a cat: Kasi puts the Cheetah Run in his habitat to the test - and, not surprisingly, can easily outpace his friend

Talent: Mtani is much better at traditional dog tricks, such as sticking out his paw on the command of the zoo keepers

Visitors to the park can see Kasi and Mtani being trained by keepers and making use of the specially-designed habitat to run, and chase after each other.
Kasi and Mtani also travel together to schools and community events to raise awareness of the importance of protecting wild cheetahs and to publicise Busch Gardens' conservation work.
Cheetahs are included on both the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) list of vulnerable species as well as on the US Endangered Species Act list of threatened species.

Flashback: Kali and Mtani pictured in July 2011 soon after they were introduced to each other at Busch Garden

Early days: Kasi, with her hair standing on end, grooms his canine companion a year ago after quickly striking a bond with her

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Doting: Mtani looks upon Kasi with affection after being introduced

Only approximately 12,400 cheetahs remain in the wild.
The SeaWorld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund has donated nearly $100,000 to cheetah efforts in Africa since 2005.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2133886/Still-wild-The-cheetah-labrador-raised-cub-puppy-remain-best-friends-year-on.html#ixzz1su1Jq9Vc