This is a South African cheetah, and it’s in trouble
When researchers mapped almost 100,000 square kilometers of South Africa, or nearly 40,000 square miles, they only found 83 mature adults. They called their project the Free-Roaming Cheetah Census, and it’s the most comprehensive survey of cheetahs ever conducted in the region. The cheetahs that inhabit the unprotected areas here move naturally across borders, going […]
A recent survey of South Africa's cheetah population has revealed that the big cats are struggling to survive. Researchers mapped an area of nearly 100,000 square kilometers and found only 83 mature adults, prompting them to term their project the Free-Roaming Cheetah Census. This was the most extensive study of cheetahs in the region.
Cheetahs in unprotected areas in South Africa roam freely across borders, traveling between South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, and Zimbabwe. However, the growth of farms, construction projects, urban development, and fences is making it increasingly difficult for them to move around. Cheetahs require vast, connected landscapes to thrive, and if they cannot mingle with other cheetah groups, their genetic diversity could be compromised.
An additional threat to these animals comes from farmers. Some have been known to kill cheetahs, believing that the predators are responsible for losses in their livestock. Yet, the researchers discovered that cheetahs primarily hunt wild prey. Based on their findings, the species is currently classified as vulnerable in South Africa, but the census strongly suggests that they should be uplisted to endangered status.
Written by urgent.news from Mongabay's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
