Cheetah

The most endangered big cat in Africa

Once considered sacred by the Egyptians, cheetahs are one of the world’s oldest big cat species. They also hold the title of being the fastest land animal on Earth, with them being capable of reaching speeds up to 60-70 mph (97-113 km/h).

Sadly though, the population of wild cheetahs has fallen significantly over the last 100 years, with only 7,100 remaining in the wild. Classified as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), they face numerous threats that jeopardise their survival. These threats include human-wildlife conflict, poaching, illegal capture, and habitat loss, all of which contribute to the drastic decline in their population.

We’re currently working with the Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF) to raise awareness and funds for these incredible animals across the world.

Working with Cheetahs

Established in 1990, CCF is dedicated to saving cheetahs in the wild and protecting their ecosystem. CCF is working to turn the tide on the decline of wild cheetahs and protect this iconic species from extinction. WildLife Foundation and Yorkshire Wildlife Park are both proud partners of the CCF. YWP has welcomed the birth of two Northern Cheetahs born to mum Darcy through its endangered species program who are ambassadors for the fundraising for WildLife Foundation. Together with CCF, WildLife Foundation and the rangers of YWP will work tirelessly to raise awareness and funds for CCF’s work, in Africa and beyond.

Threats

Poaching & illegal capture

In many parts of the world there are strong cultural associations to keeping cheetahs as companions. There is a long history of the practice and it is commonly seen in ancient art.
Loss of habitat

Cheetahs require vast expanses of land with suitable prey, water, and cover sources to survive. As wild lands are destroyed and fragmented by human expansion occurring all over the world, the cheetah’s available habitat is also destroyed.
Human-wildlife conflict

Unlike other large cats and pack predators, cheetahs do not do well in wildlife reserves. These areas normally contain high densities of other larger predators like the lion, leopard, and hyena. Predators such as these, compete with cheetahs for prey and will even kill cheetahs given the opportunity.

Facts

Cheetahs are the fastest land animals, capable of reaching speeds up to 60-70 mph (97-113 km/h) in short bursts covering distances up to 500 metres (1,640 feet).
Adult cheetahs are easily distinguished from other big cats by their solid black spots.
When running, cheetahs use their tails to steer and change direction, like a rudder on a boat.