The Cheetah is a globally threatened species, listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. Worldwide, cheetah populations are estimated between 9,000 and 12,000 individuals, with population strongholds existing in Southern and Eastern Africa.
The main threats affecting the cheetah’s survival are habitat loss and fragmentation, a declining prey base, inter-guild competition with sympatric large predators, and conflict with humans through livestock depredation.
Based on evidence obtained from accumulative data and reports, Tsavo has been concluded as a key ecosystem for sustainable cheetah populations and therefore recognized as a focal, priority region for cheetah studies in Kenya, as outlined in the National Conservation and Management Strategy for Cheetah and Wild dog (2010).
Our project reports continued conflicts with cheetah and other predators within adjacent communities, including pastoralists bordering the Tsavo parks who frequently graze their livestock within park boundaries. We are continuing to ID individual cheetahs through direct sightings and with the aid of camera traps for population status and monitoring purposes.
