Nairobi: The world's fastest man has adopted the animal kingdom's fastest sprinter, as Usain Bolt welcomed a new baby cheetah named "Lightning Bolt" into his life.
The Jamaican sprinter's sponsorship of the three-month-old male cheetah is part of an effort to boost Kenyan conservation efforts of its famous wildlife, whose survival is threatened by trophy hunting, climate change and human encroachment.
The world record-holder in the 100 and 200 meters paid USD 13,700 to formally adopt the cub yesterday.
He will also pay USD 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.
Bolt was joined on the trip by Colin Jackson, a former 110-meter hurdles Olympic champion, and Jochen Zeitz, the chief executive of athletic gear manufacturer Puma.
Zietz made the visit to launch his charity's campaign to preserve ecosystems.
Jackson adopted a 2-year-old eland, the largest of the antelope species.
Bolt, who was on a four-day visit to Kenya, said Friday he was looking forward to seeing Kenya's diverse wildlife, but was scared of meeting lions.
He nearly ran away when asked yesterday to pet a fully grown cheetah named Sharon for a photo shoot with Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
Bureau Report