Behavioral differences as predictors of breeding status in captive cheetahs

Wielebnowski examined whether individual temperament predicts which captive cheetahs breed, scoring cats on behavioural traits and relating them to reproductive history. Cheetahs rated as more tense, fearful or aggressive were less likely to breed, while calmer animals reproduced more readily. The work introduced systematic personality assessment to felid management, suggesting that individual behavioural profiles, shaped by genetics, rearing and environment, are practical predictors of welfare and breeding outcomes. It encouraged matching husbandry and breeding decisions to temperament and monitoring behaviour as a management tool. The study is frequently cited in discussions of animal personality, temperament testing and the welfare of this stress-prone species.