1. Habitat Loss and Fragmentation: Cheetahs rely on open grasslands and savannas for hunting and survival. As human populations expand and urbanisation encroaches on their natural habitats, cheetahs face habitat loss and fragmentation. This reduces their living space, limits their prey base, and increases the risk of conflict with humans and livestock.
2. Poaching and Illicit Trade Hunting and poaching pose a significant threat to cheetahs. Illegal trade driven by demand for their skin, meat, and cubs is a major factor contributing to cheetah population decline. The illegal trade of cheetah cubs for the exotic pet industry also poses a serious threat.
3. Human-Wildlife Conflict: As cheetahs' habitats are encroached upon, they come into closer proximity with humans and livestock. This leads to conflicts, such as cheetahs preying on livestock, which can result in retaliatory killings by farmers and local communities.
4. Limited Genetic Diversity: Cheetahs have low genetic diversity due to population bottlenecks in their evolutionary history. This lack of genetic variation makes them more susceptible to diseases and reduces their ability to adapt to changing environmental conditions.
5. Disease: Cheetahs are vulnerable to various diseases, including feline distemper, canine distemper, and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV). These diseases can spread rapidly within cheetah populations, leading to significant mortality and population declines.
6. Competition with Other Predators: Cheetahs face competition for prey from larger carnivorous species, such as lions, leopards, and hyenas. These predators often kill cheetah cubs and appropriate their kills. Competition with other predators can limit the availability of food sources for cheetahs.
7. Illegal Wildlife Trade for Traditional Medicine: In some cultures, cheetah parts are believed to have medicinal properties, leading to illegal trade and hunting for their various body parts. This demand contributes to the decline in cheetah populations.
8. Vehicle Collisions: As roads and highways bisect their habitats, cheetahs are vulnerable to collisions with vehicles. This risk increases in areas with high traffic density.
Cheetah conservation efforts focus on habitat preservation, anti-poaching measures, captive breeding programs, and community education to mitigate these threats and ensure the long-term survival of this iconic species.