A CHEETAH cub who needed surgery to mend a broken ankle is on his way to recovery at Chester Zoo.
It is believed the cub, Juba, who was born last summer, suffered the injury due to a weakness in his leg.
The decision to operate followed an x-ray and examination days before.
Chester Zoo vet Steve Unwin said: “We believe the fracture has been caused by a weakness in Juba’s leg, which has been aggravated by the rough and tumble antics of young cubs.
“Cats are adept at hiding any discomfort but we are fortunate that we are able to keep a very close eye on our animals and so quickly picked up something wasn’t right.
“Juba has been a model patient and we are pleased that, at this point in time, the operation seems to have gone well.
“Although Juba will need some rest off-show for the next few weeks, we are hopeful he will be back up on his paws again in no time.”
Surgeons carried out an hour-long operation led by consultant orthopaedic surgeon Rob Pettitt from the University of Liverpool, as well as the zoo’s own vets and nurses.
Part of the animal's ankle was covered in a plate to stabilise the fracture and allow it to heal.
Juba’s post-operative wounds are small and he has been returned to the cheetah den along with the rest of his family.