Usain Bolt adopts a cheetah

The world's fastest man has adopted the world's fastest animal.

Olympic sprinter Usain Bolt adopted a cheetah cub today in Kenya's Nairobi National Park.

According to Reuters, Bolt used to be scared of cheetahs because they could outrun him, but he changed his mind after bottle feeding the cute, little critter.

The Jamaican sprinter welcomed the cub as part of his family. The animal's new name? Lightning Bolt.

We're hoping Bolt doesn't fall victim to "101 Dalmatians" syndrome and try to get rid of the cheetah once it gets older, less cuddly and more feral. We're keeping an eye on you, Usain.

-- Mark Milian

Photo: Roberto Schmidt / AFP/Getty Images

Comments

[steve]

it should read the worlds fastest sprinter, not animal

the cheetah is not the fastest animal, birds can fly faster.....

[Anonymous]

Please check your sources. Mr. Bolt will not raise the animal himself. He paid to sponsor its care.

Quoted from a more thorough source:
The world record-holder in the 100 and 200 meters paid $13,700 to formally adopt the cub. He will also pay $3,000 a year to care for Lighting Bolt, who will be raised at an animal orphanage in Nairobi.

The money will go to the Kenya Wildlife Service, and some will be used to protect Kenya's endangered species, KWS director Julius Kipngetich said.

[Ata]

Best headline and photo ever.

[pam]

http://www.awf.org/content/wildlife/detail/cheetah
See link. The cheetah is the world's fastest land animal. Thanks to Mr Bolt for his generosity in helping to keep these wonderful animals alive in Africa!