| Location: |
South Africa |
| Project Managers: |
Steve Bircher |
| Species: |
Cheetah |
| Priority: |
High |
Background
The world's fastest land animal, the sleek and long-legged Cheetah is losing its race for survival. Historically, cheetah ranged widely throughout Africa and Asia dating back to the Great Ice Age. Today, cheetahs have become extinct in at least 13 countries. Although the species faces different problems throughout its various geographic range, loss of habitat, poaching, competition with large predators and ranchers is killing off the remaining cheetahs. Furthermore, cheetahs are very difficult big cats to breed in captivity. The lack of genetic diversity with the global cheetah population makes it more susceptible to ecological and environmental changes and disease threats.
St. Louis Interest
Since 1974, the Saint Louis Zoo has been a leader in cheetah research and captive breeding. Unlike other big cats, the cheetah has very different breeding
and behavioral practices. What began as an interest in discovering what makes these animals so selective in mating has now become an international cooperative effort to link captive breeding programs with research and protection in cheetah range countries. The Cheetah Conservation Center has already successfully produced 32 captive-bred offspring, but much more research and a stronger link between in situ and ex situ efforts is needed to create similar successes for threatened cheetahs in the wild.
Goal
To educate the public and other stakeholders on matters relating to the cheetah, to support sound scientific research and to develop programs in southern Africa so that the cheetah's race will be one of survival, not extinction.
Conservation Science
The Center will focus on the development of an effective cheetah census technique, efforts to reduce livestock conflict, conservation of cheetahs outside protected areas, veterinary and health issues, and education programs relating to cheetah conservation in southern Africa.
The Center will continue to support the Global Cheetah Action Plan (GCAP) & Global Cheetah Forum through its participation in future workshops including educating people living near cheetah about its basic ecology, its importance as a species in the ecosystem, and livestock and game management.
In addition, the Center will continue to participate in the Cheetah SSP and plans to expand its breeding program at the Zoo's Breeding Farm by constructing new facilities to hold a group of 25-30 cheetahs. This genetic reserve of cheetahs may provide insurance for wild populations in the future.
Partners
IUCN/CBSG Global Cheetah Forum
Cheetah Conservation Fund, Namibia
Zoological Society of London
Tanzania Wildlife Research Institute
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