Why the Cheetah Is Endangered

The cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) is renowned as the fastest land animal on Earth, capable of sprinting over 100 km/h in short bursts. Yet, despite this extraordinary speed, the species faces an alarming risk of extinction. Ironically, the same human civilization that admires the cheetah’s grace and power is largely responsible for its decline.

Scientific studies, including one led by a British research team in late 2016, have revealed that the cheetah’s natural range is shrinking at a dramatic rate. Without urgent and coordinated conservation actions, this iconic big cat could disappear from the wild within our lifetime.

This article explores the current global status of the cheetah, the main threats driving it toward extinction, and practical measures we can take to help save it.

Global Population Status

At the dawn of the 20th century, cheetahs roamed vast territories across Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia, with an estimated population of around 100,000 individuals. Over the past century, their numbers and range have plummeted.

• By 2017: Cheetahs survived in only about 9% of their historical range, with roughly 7,000 individuals left in the wild.

• By 2021: According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the global wild population had further declined to 6,647 individuals, classifying the species as “Vulnerable”.

This collapse is even more striking when examined region by region:

• Zimbabwe: The wild cheetah population dropped from about 1,200 individuals to just 170 in only 15 years.

• Iran: Home to the last surviving population of the Asiatic cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus venaticus), which now numbers fewer than 12 individuals. Once widespread across the Middle East and as far east as India, this subspecies is now restricted to a few protected reserves in Iran.

The data paint a grim picture—without immediate intervention, the cheetah may follow the tragic path of many other iconic species lost to human activities.

Major Threats to the Cheetah

The cheetah’s endangerment is driven by a complex mix of human pressures and ecological factors. These threats, acting together, have dramatically reduced both their habitat and their genetic diversity.

1. Poaching and Illegal Hunting

For centuries, cheetahs have been targeted for their distinctive spotted fur, which fetches high prices on the black market. Despite legal protections in many countries, poaching remains a persistent problem.

Cheetahs also face indirect human-related dangers such as:

• Vehicle collisions on roads that cut through their habitat.

• Exposure to diseases transmitted by livestock or domestic pets when human activities encroach on their range.

2. Wildlife Trafficking

In some wealthy regions—particularly parts of the Middle East such as Qatar and the UAE—cheetah cubs are smuggled out of the wild to be kept as “luxury pets.” Others are trained for traditional hunting practices.
This practice not only removes young cheetahs from the wild but also results in very low survival rates, as many cubs die during capture, transport, or due to inadequate care.

3. Habitat Loss

The destruction and fragmentation of natural habitats is one of the most significant long-term threats.
It is estimated that 90% of the cheetah’s original range has been lost due to:

• Agricultural expansion

• Urbanization

• Infrastructure projects such as roads and fences

For example, the savannahs of Namibia have shrunk by nearly 50% over the past century, reducing the space available for cheetahs to hunt and breed.

4. Predation and Competition

Although the cheetah is the fastest predator on land, it is not the strongest.
Its slender build and smaller size make it vulnerable to larger predators such as lions, leopards, and hyenas, especially when defending kills or protecting cubs.
Cubs, in particular, suffer high mortality rates due to predation.

5. Genetic Bottleneck and Inbreeding

Decades of population decline have left cheetahs with extremely low genetic diversity.
As remaining individuals breed with close relatives, problems such as reduced fertility, weakened immune systems, and congenital defects become more common, further jeopardizing the species’ recovery.

How to Prevent the Cheetah’s Extinction

Saving the cheetah requires coordinated global action, addressing both ecological and socio-economic challenges.

1. Protect and Restore Natural Habitats

Efforts must focus on:

• Preserving remaining grasslands and savannahs from deforestation and overdevelopment.

• Creating and maintaining wildlife corridors that connect fragmented populations, allowing gene flow and safer migration.

2. Limit Human Encroachment

Beyond protecting habitats, it is essential to minimize human interference:

• Restrict road construction, mining, and large-scale agriculture in key cheetah habitats.

• Implement community-based conservation programs to balance local needs with wildlife protection.

3. Combat Illegal Wildlife Trade

Stronger law enforcement, international cooperation, and stricter penalties are needed to disrupt poaching and trafficking networks.
Public awareness campaigns can reduce demand for exotic pets and luxury goods derived from wild animals.

4. Support Scientific Research and Population Management

Modern conservation uses tools such as:

• DNA testing and satellite tracking to monitor wild populations

• Managed breeding programs in reserves to preserve genetic diversity

• Rewilding initiatives to reintroduce captive-bred cheetahs into secure habitats

5. Raise Public Awareness

Cheetahs may be admired for their speed, but many people underestimate their ecological vulnerability.
Through education campaigns, documentaries, and eco-tourism, the public can better understand why conserving this species matters and be motivated to support conservation initiatives.

Conclusion

The cheetah’s story is a stark reminder that speed alone cannot outrun extinction.
Over the past century, the global population has crashed from 100,000 to fewer than 7,000, and the Asiatic cheetah teeters on the brink with just a handful left in Iran.

The combined pressures of poaching, wildlife trafficking, habitat destruction, predation, and genetic decline have brought the species to a critical tipping point.
Protecting the cheetah is not only about saving a single species but also about preserving the biodiversity and ecological balance of the African and Asian landscapes they inhabit.

By enforcing stronger protections, restoring habitats, combating illegal trade, and raising global awareness, we can give this magnificent predator a fighting chance to survive—and keep the wild places it symbolizes alive for future generations.

animal tags： cheetah