For the cheetah to survive, something must be done! The cheetah is Africa's most endangered cat.
The cheetah is an endangered species with only ~15,000 animals left in the wild. Rapidly declining cheetah populations results in a smaller and less diverse gene pool. Healthy populations may be found in fewer than half of the countries where cheetah still live. Namibia has the largest remaining population of free-ranging cheetah in the world, estimated to be between 2000-3000. Ninety percent of Namibia's cheetah live outside of protected reserves, primarily on commercial livestock farmlands. Predominant cheetah country in Namibia lies between Etosha and Windhoek. Most farmers perceive the cheetah as a threat to their livestock and game and often indiscriminately kill or remove cheetah from their land.
Wild cheetah populations are jeopardized by:
The Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF) is a non-profit organization founded in 1990 and is based in Namibia, near Otjiwarongo. CCF's efforts encompass education, research and conservation programs for the cheetah and its ecosystem. One of the main focuses of CCF is aiding the farm community in predator management. CCF serves as a resource for farmers and actively promotes awareness of conservation issues. Research is shared with scientists from around the world to learn more about the cheetahs, its habitat and how to ensure the species' survival.
One of the CCF's projects is breeding Anatolian Sheperds and providing these to farmers to protect their livestock and game. Anatolian Shepherd dogs (Goban Kopegi or Anatolian Karabash Dogs) originated on the Anatolian Plateau in Turkey. They were bred as a guardian breed more than 6,000 years ago. From ancient times Anatolian Shepherd dogs served as shepherds' frontline defense from predators. Breeders created the dog of the same size and colors with the livestock they guarded in order to fit in among the flock undetected by predators. Anatolians had to guard their livestock at all times, in remote areas, so they were sure to make independent decisions. The Anatolian Sheperds have proven quite effective on Namibian farmlands.
Under president Sam Nujoma, Namibia was the first country to include conservation in its constitution.
Cheetahs share common ancestry with 36 other wild cat species, but have developed unique characteristics to become the fastest land animal in the world. The scientific name for cheetahs is: Acinonyx jubatus. The genus, Acinonyx is interpreted as "non-moving claws", which refers to the cheetah's semi retractable claws. The species name jubatus means "maned" and refers to the mantle on the young cheetah's back. This mantle makes the young cheetahs look like a Honey Badger which is a quite dangerous animal. Cheetahs are the only species in their genus. Until the 1900's, it was thought that the cheetah was related to dogs rather than cats. The paw structure of a cheetah is more like a dogs' than a cats'. Cheetahs are the only large cat that cannot roar, but they purr! The English word "cheetah" comes from the Hindu word "chita", meaning spotted one.
Cheetahs have incredible acceleration, faster than almost all sports cars. They can go from 0 - 84km/h in just three seconds! Their top speed is 110km/h. The cheetah however cannot run for long distances at this speed. After 400-800 meters, exhaustion sets in and the cheetah risks overheating. A single stride of a cheetah can be as far as seven meters and they can make four strides per second.
Cheetahs have excellent vision. They can see detail to a distance of 5km! Humans would have a hard time seeing this far with powerful binoculars. Cheetahs also have a 210 degree view compared to 140 degrees of a human. The distinctive black tear stripes that run from the corner of their eyes to their mouth give them protection from the sun's glare and have the function of a rifle scope, helping to focus on its prey.
Cheetahs have played an important roll in many civilizations around the world throughout history. The Sumerians (Iraqi ancestors) were the first known to depict cheetahs in their art. In the 1700's Egyptians were the first to tame cheetahs. Cheetahs were admired for their speed, hunting ability and beauty; they were honoured as symbols of royalty and prestige. The cheetah became a hunting companion of pharaohs and royalty throughout Europe, Asia and India. Traditional African healers and witch doctors used cheetah bones in spiritualistic rituals to symbolize fleet footedness and speed.
The cheetah is my favourite land animal and I therefore take a special interest in the conservation programs that have been established in an attempt to ensure the survival of this amazing cat. If we do not actively engage in the conservation of the cheetah and the ecosystem it lives in, the cheetah will face sure extinction.