Honolulu Zoo Welcomes South African Cheetahs

With a nod to Harry Potter, say hello to Fawkes, Nagini and Pickett.

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The Honolulu Zoo is now home to three new South African cheetahs from the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute.

The three sister cheetahs, named Fawkes, Nagini and Pickett, arrived at the zoo on Sunday.

“Their names are references to various animals featured in the Harry Potter franchise,” according to a city press release.

Fawkes, Nagini and Pickett resting in the cheetah exhibit. Courtesy

The three cheetahs were provided as part of a partnership with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and their Species Survival Plan.

“As part of the SSP, breeding facilities will send the offspring to holding facilities, like the Honolulu Zoo, until a genetically viable match is found,” says the city. “Once found, they will bring two animals together for breeding purposes.”

The International Union for Conservation of Nature lists the South African Cheetah as “vulnerable” on the IUCN Red List.

The last cheetah to live at the Honolulu Zoo was Oringo, which died in March at age 14.

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