In Memoriam – Pollyanna Cheetah
It is with the deepest sadness that we have to share the news of our beloved cheetah Pollyanna’s passing at the Ensessa Kotteh sanctuary in Ethiopia.
A much-loved cheetah by all who knew her, Pollyanna lived a happy and enriched life with the other members of Born Free’s rescued Cheetah Family, until she gently passed away in her sleep after a short illness.
In remembrance of what would have been Pollyanna’s 78th birthday, The Born Free Foundation honoured her by naming a rescued cheetah cub in her memory. Pollyanna acted as a Patron of The Born Free Foundation for many years, and was always delighted when her artwork could help to raise funds for a cause so close to her heart.
Pollyanna cheetah was one of two cheetah cubs rescued from the illegal wildlife trade and given a lifetime home at Ensessa Kotteh. They were seized by the Somali State authorities in Ethiopia, at about three months old, having most likely been taken from the wild to meet the demands of the pet trade in the Middle East. Both cubs were undernourished and walking with a slight limp, but after a few weeks of care made an excellent recovery. Sadly cheetahs are fragile cats, and the poor start in life, followed by a bout of Calicivirus in 2021 had left Pollyanna with a weakened immune system. However she had made a strong recovery, and the final update we received from the care team just a few weeks before she passed away described her as being “full of energy, inquisitive, and enjoying her life with the other members of the cheetah family”.
Dame Virginia McKenna contacted Anna-Louise saying “There is no easy way to bring you this news. I have just learned that Pollyanna the cheetah has just passed away in her sleep. I know I write for us all at Born Free as the loss of our rescued animals is always heart breaking. The only comfort is that she was lovingly cared for till the end. Pollyanna will be buried in the Memorial Garden at the sanctuary with our other rescued animals to rest in peace.”
“We would like to give our grateful thanks to everyone who befriended Pollyanna cheetah, and helped us to to give our beautiful cat the opportunity of a safe and happy life in the beautiful surroundings of Born Free’s sanctuary after such a sad and traumatic beginning. Although we wish with all our hearts that it could have been longer I am sure you will agree that giving her the few years she had was worth it – she did enjoy her life with her brother Coro and she was loved and cared for.” . Anna-Louise Pickering
In memory of Pollyanna cheetah the Pollyanna Pickering Foundation has donated £3000.00 towards improving and maintaining the enclosures for rescued cheetahs at Ensessa Kotteh and we will continue to support their work