originally, the story for tlk was about a baboon vs lion war. so rafiki couldn't be a baboon (mandrill thingey...). Anywho, they made him a cheetah instead. And i decided that since there are only 3 females in the first movie who have lines (one of which only has 1), and since rafiki is a female in the broadway version, he is now a she in cheetah as well.
so, rafiki is now a female cheetah. the only spots that are permanent are the face and tail spots and the paw print on her left shoulder. before anyone says anything, its meant to look distorted.
)