International Cheetah Day
Today is International Cheetah Day. Although these iconic cats are much loved and well known as the fastest land mammal in the world, according to the ICUN Red List their status is ‘Vulnerable’ and their population is in decline. It is thought there around 7,000 adult cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) left in the wild in Africa. The only cheetah left in Asia are a small population found in Iran. They are now extinct in countries such as India, Malawi and Rwanda.
Why are Cheetahs Vulnerable?
- Cheetahs have faced extinction at least two times in the past. Their reduced populations has led to inbreeding and so their own genes now pose a challenge to their continued survival. They also have a low rate of reproductive success, and with fewer offspring, their populations are slow to grow and adapt to changes in the environment.
- Cheetahs are killed by farmers because they can prey on livestock.
- They are affected by loss of prey from human hunting and from the habit destruction by humans.
- In some countries they are killed for their skins, both by hunters and by poachers. There is also an illegal trade in live cubs and adults, many of which die during transportation.
Learn more about Cheetahs
To celebrate these amazing animals, the International Cheetah Day, has produced Cheetah Conservation Passports for you to download to find out more about these vulnerable cats. They have also have a fact filled video for you to watch along with lots of ideas on how you can help save these vulnerable cats – www.internationalcheetahday.com
Where to find Cheetah in Zambia
Cheetah range over thousands of kilometres, making them, along with wild dogs, the largest ranging species in the Zambia. You can find them in Kafue and Liuwa Plains National Parks.
You can find more information about cheetah in Zambia on ARC Zambia’s website – www.arczambia.com and all about their conservation at the Zambian Carnivore Programme website – www.zambiancarnivores.org.