MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. – A Zoo Miami cheetah is recovering after undergoing surgery for a leg fracture, zoo spokesman Ron Magill confirmed Wednesday in a news release.
According to Magill, the male juvenile cheetah named Winston is believed to have suffered the fracture to his rear left leg while running in his habitat.
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“Though no one saw the injury occur, because of the appearance and location of the fracture, it is assumed that Winston was running through his habitat when he suffered a trauma to his leg that led to the break,” Magill wrote in the news release. “Zoo staff observed the injury upon arrival at work on the morning of Saturday, July 27th and Winston was immediately transported to the zoo’s animal hospital for radiographs to determine its severity.”
According to Magill, a cast was placed on Winston’s leg before surgery was performed on July 31.
Two metal plates were used to repair and stabilize the fracture, he confirmed.
“The surgery was successful, and Winston has since been recovering in a secluded area with a full leg cast,” Magill wrote in the news release. “Yesterday, Winston was immobilized, and the cast removed so that the Animal Health team could closely evaluate the surgical site and ensure that healing was progressing normally.”
Magill said it appears the fracture is indeed healing well, but staff will continue to monitor it for the next several weeks.
Another cast has since been placed on Winston and he is currently in his recovery enclosure.
The entire healing process is expected to take another six to eight weeks.