CHEETAH
Acinonyx jubatus
VULNERABLE
STATUS & CONSERVATION
Cheetahs used to range wide across Africa and even extended into Asia. Today, the species is in rapid decline and only occupies a small share of its former distribution. This decline can be traced back to habitat loss and human-wildlife conflict, especially in livestock areas. As almost all other large carnivores, cheetahs suffer from the loss of their prey base due to human exploitation of natural resources. The IUCN categorizes the species as vulnerable and estimates that about 6,500 free living individuals remain. Besides Namibia and Algeria, Botswana holds one of the largest remaining populations. Nevertheless, cheetahs exist at low densities everywhere they occur. This is partly due to their inferior competitive abilities among large carnivores. They often get displaced by lions or hyenas and need to settle in marginal lands between protected areas and human-dominated landscapes.
The world's fastest terrestrial mammal, reaching velocities of up to 110 km/h
vulnerable and estimates that about 6,500 free living individuals remain. Besides Namibia and Algeria, Botswana holds one of the largest remaining populations. Nevertheless, cheetahs exist at low densities everywhere they occur. This is partly due to their inferior competitive abilities among large carnivores. They often get displaced by lions or hyenas and need to settle in marginal lands between protected areas and human-dominated landscapes.
STATUS & CONSERVATION
Cheetahs used to range wide across Africa and even extended into Asia. Today, the species is in rapid decline and only occupies a small share of its former distribution. This decline can be traced back to habitat loss and human-wildlife conflict, especially in livestock areas. As almost all other large carnivores, cheetahs suffer from the loss of their prey base due to human exploitation of natural resources. The IUCN categorizes the species as
The Wild Entrust research program
Specialized GPS collars deployed on cheetah in a collaboration between BPC and the Royal Veterinary College of London found a top speed of 92km/hour, the first record in the wild. Collars also revealed important habitats for cheetah, highlighting areas to target conservation. Our research into cheetah marking trees has highlighted their importance in cheetah sociality, and population monitoring.
The Wild Entrust research program
Specialized GPS collars deployed on cheetah in a collaboration between BPC and the Royal Veterinary College of London found a top speed of 92km/hour, the first record in the wild. Collars also revealed important habitats for cheetah, highlighting areas to target conservation. Our research into cheetah marking trees has highlighted their importance in cheetah sociality, and population monitoring.