The cheetah , known as the fastest land animal in the world, is in an alarming situation. Scientists estimate that only around 7.100 individuals remain , reinforcing the need to reclassify the species as 'endangered' on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
According to a study by the Zoological Society of London, the cheetah has lost 91% of its original territory , and the situation in Asia is even more bleak, with only 50 specimens left in Iran.
Main causes of the decline of the species
Among the main causes of the cheetah's decline are persecution both inside and outside protected areas. Despite living in reserves and national parks, the cheetah faces problems due to human-wildlife conflict, poaching, habitat loss, and the illegal trafficking of animal parts , including young cheetahs captured for the exotic pet trade.
The problem of habitat loss is especially worrying. 77% of their habitat lies outside protected areas. This makes cheetahs vulnerable to human pressure, which has led, for example, to an 85% decline in the Zimbabwean population over the last 16 years, from 1.200 to 170 individuals.
Impact of reintroduction and conservation
In an attempt to reverse this trend, efforts have been made to reintroduce cheetahs to areas where they became extinct . A notable example is India, where they were extinct for 70 years. Work has been carried out in collaboration with Namibia to reintroduce African cheetahs to protected parks such as Kuno National Park, although this process has been difficult and fraught with challenges.
In South Africa, according to Laurie Marker, founder of the Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF), relocation is complex and has a mortality rate of between 6% and 7%. Cheetah deaths are frequent due to health complications and problems arising from the complexity of the process of adapting to new environments.
Changes in cheetah genetics and fertility
Another significant challenge for cheetah conservation is the lack of genetic diversity within the species. Males have been documented to have low sperm counts , which severely impacts reproduction rates. Furthermore, this reduced genetic variability increases the likelihood of inherited health problems.
The role of the international community
To combat this complex situation, scientists are calling for the cheetah to be reclassified as 'endangered' on the IUCN Red List. This status would give higher priority to conservation programmes and allow for faster and more effective intervention.
However, this is not enough. Coordinated international management is crucial to ensure that remaining cheetah populations can thrive and expand. Initiatives such as reintroduction programs in India and satellite tracking of cheetahs in Africa are important steps that must be complemented by further expansion of protected areas and a stronger fight against illegal trafficking.
If urgent and coordinated action is not taken to preserve this magnificent feline, the extinction of the cheetah could become a sad reality, driven largely by human activity.