© Barry Bland / Barcroft Media
The world’s fastest man Usain Bolt may have finally met his match in Sarah, an eight-year-old cheetah from Cincinnati.
For full story and pictures:
Covering 100 metres in 6.13 seconds, Sarah set a new speed record for all land mammals this morning (09/09/09) in America, putting the giant Jamaican Olympic champion’s efforts to shame.
Running on a specially designed 100-metre course at Cincinnati Zoo’s Regional Cheetah Breeding Facility at Mast Farm, Sarah ran the blue riband distance over three seconds faster than the quickest human in history.
© Barry Bland / Barcroft Media
Chasing a lure similar to those used in greyhound racing, superfast Sarah hit speeds of up to 60 mph in her explosive run.
“We are so thrilled that Sarah has smashed this record,” says Cathryn Hilker, 78, the organiser of the record attempt.
“She undertook three attempts to break the record and smashed it on the second time of asking.
“Each time she ran she rested for 15 minutes to make sure the heat did not get to her.”
© Barry Bland / Barcroft Media
The record breaking run was put together by the Cat Ambassador Programme that is run out of Cincinnati Zoo.
“These events are designed to highlight conservation of these wonderful creatures and to make people realise what they could lose if they are not protected.”
Linking up with conservation schemes in Africa, the zoo has found itself in a competitive one-upmanship with a fellow group based in Africa.
“We here at Cincinnati have been in friendly competition with the Cheetah Outreach programme that is run out of South Africa and we have trumped their cheetah’s effort
“Their cat Nyana set the record of 6.19 in 2001 and we are so happy to have broken that record.”
© Barry Bland / Barcroft Media
Sarah, who is now officially the world’s fastest land animal, was so quick that she actually caught up with the lure that was encouraging her to hit such high speeds.
“Sarah has made us here at Cincinnati Zoo so proud,” says Cathryn.
“She is actually a middle aged cheetah and for her to run that quick is phenomenal.”
“But she is so healthy and happy that the run was no problem for her.”
© Barry Bland / Barcroft Media
As part of Cincinnati Zoo’s conservation drive, the Cat Ambassador Programme has raised almost £750,000 for big cat charities over the past 15 years.
“We support four cheetah charities in the South West of Africa and the kind of events that we have run today all help to keep raising money.”
Words by James Nye
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