Cheetahs : Acinonyx jubatus (Schreber 1775)

Review and perspective

According to the Red Data book, the cheetah is currently listed as “vulnerable”. This is an improved situation, compared to the global listing of the species as “rare” in 1986.

The total population of cheetahs is currently estimated at about 2500 with the wild population in South Africa calculated at approximately 270 animals. The total number of cheetahs in captive environments in South Africa as reflected in the Red Data book 2004 is at 263.

Rationale for the breeding of cheetahs

Cheetah populations are genetically very uniform or monomorphic. Wild cheetahs often occur in small isolated or patch populations that lead to further narrowing of the gene pool in these populations. Breeding programmes should therefore direct their breeding to reproduce animals with distinctly different genetic lineages to maintain a healthy ex situ reserve of animals. Where possible these animals should be used to support gene diversity in wild populations. Cheetahs that have been bred in captivity can readily be released in protected areas in the wild after the animals have gone through a process of adjustment or “rewilding”. During this period the animals are transferred to large camps with suitable prey bases after which the rations fed to the animals are reduced so as to entice them to take natural prey. The animals need to be closely monitored during this time to evaluate their suitability for possible reintroduction. Te area where these cheetahs are to be released should be free from any predators that may compete with the released animals. Captive bred animals are not adjusted to these species and will likely fall prey to them. The area should also have a large suitable prey base in a habitat with mixed open savanna to grassland as cheetahs prefer open areas to hunt. 30 Cheetahs born at the centre have been released into the wild.