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Zoo Miami Celebrates Arrival Of 2 New Cheetahs From S. Africa

MIAMI (CBSMiami) – Zoo Miami is about to get two new four legged ambassadors.  Two male cheetahs from South Africa are expected to arrive in Miami from South Africa on Thursday afternoon.

The brothers were born in captivity on March 6th of this year at the Ann van Dyk Cheetah Centre just outside of Pretoria South Africa.  The facility is world renowned for its work with cheetahs and it is also the birthplace of Zoo Miami's first cheetahs, Savannah and King George, well over a decade ago.

GALLERY:  SEE ZOO MIAMI'S NEW CHEETAHS

Savannah, the zoo's first ambassador cheetah died in October 2011. She was more than 14 years old and had to be euthanized due to declining health caused by her advanced age.

The new cheetahs will be featured in the zoo's Wildlife Show at the newly constructed amphitheater, and participate in conservation education programs in schools and other venues as part of the Zoo Miami's Cheetah Ambassador Program.

Zoo Miami's Ron Magill traveled to South Africa to personally escort the animals back to South Florida on a South African Airways flight. South African Airways is a founding sponsor of the Cheetah Ambassador Program at Zoo Miami.

Once the cheetahs arrive at Zoo Miami, they'll remain in a quarantine facility to be closely monitored and examined for a minimum of 30 days to insure they are healthy and stable prior to being introduced to their permanent home at the zoo's new amphitheater.

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