Cheetahs in Zoos

With the fall of cheetah population numbers due to fellow predator competition and human persecution, cheetah numbers are only estimated between 12,000-15,000. With these animals now endangered, it is vital for there to be cheetahs in zoos. In zoos, scientists are able to advance their knowledge on cheetah reproduction rates and how to improve their health. This is necessary for zoo cheetahs are the way we can help wild individuals bounce back. However, there exists problems with cheetahs in captivity.

Cheetahs are one of the most popular and well loved zoo animals. Many serve as "animal ambassadors" that represent their species and why they should be protected. As famous as these cats are, problems exist with cheetahs in captivity. One problem is cheetah breeding and reproduction. Due to unique breeding tendencies that cheetahs possess, difficulties are common. Along with breeding behavior, social conduct among cheetahs makes intersexual contact hard. Male cheetahs typically live in small social groups whereas females are solitary and very particular in who they will select as a mate. Bringing the sexes together is a touchy situation that must be handled with caution. However, many zoos themselves are historically a major factor in why cheetahs aren't propagating well. The many undocumented behaviors around cheetah breeding and husbandry lacking greatly are parts of why cheetahs have problems producing more young, not necessarily because of genetics. Lastly, cheetahs are prone to health issues, both genetically and acquired, so trying to handle maintaining and adding numbers to the shaky cheetah population is a difficult task.

With problems abound, actions are being taken to alleviate these issues. Artificial insemination, or injecting the cryopreserved sperm of a Namibian male cheetah into a captive female, has improved the genetics of the population. Breeding and husbandry management in zoos is also being improved with a focus on how to increase cub production and survival rates as well as how to recognize the relationship between cheetah age coinciding with sexual maturity. Finally, improving the knowledge on how to treat kidney disease, a prominent issue with cheetah health, along with finding ways to eliminate stress in cheetahs in order to allow them to live happier and healthier lives are steps being taken to improve cheetah health.

With zoo cheetah population being monitored in an international studbook, which contains information on gender, parental origin, date of birth, and location on every zoo-registered cheetah in the world, it is clear that the task of maintaining and helping the cheetah population rebound is being taken much more seriously. Zoo cheetah study is important if the entire species is going to be able to make it. Important leaps in medical and social knowledge of these animals are being discovered frequently. If the zoological world continues down this path, great things are going to come out of it.



Works Cited:

Cheetah Conservation - National Zoo| FONZ. Cheetah Conservation - National Zoo| FONZ. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Oct. 2014.

Hinostroza, Janet R. Cheetah Conservation Fund Founder Laurie Marker Had the Privilege of Meeting Majani! Digital image. San Diego Zoo. N.p., 13 July 2012. Web. 30 Oct. 2014.

CITES: The Savior of the African Organisms

With crimes concerning the illegal trade of wildlife ranked fourth in global crime rates, many African animals face endangerment and even extinction for the selling and trading of organisms and their parts-the cheetah is no exception. Poaching threatens ecosystems sprawling over multiple continents and the environment itself. Cheetahs are victimized for their beautiful spotted pelts and the illegal pet trade, an extremely detrimental practice that takes wild animals out of their natural habitats and into homes of regular citizens, most of whom have no qualifications to care for the cheetah.

A case of cheetahs about to be sold in the pet trade comes from Tanzania, where three cheetahs were found cramped together in a single cage, ready to be transported. Luckily, these three were lucky enough to be found by local officials before they were sold, but not all are as lucky as them. Along with the cheetah, elephants fall victim to the trade for their tusks and animals like the dik-dik and gazelle are killed for their meat (also referred to as bushmeat). With animals being harmed in a such horrible ways and their ecosystems starting to suffer because of it, it was clear action needed to be taken to provide protection.

In 1973, a law known as CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) was put into effect. 21 countries came together to sign the agreement and swore to implement the rules in their individual countries against poaching that would be recognized internationally. After decades of being put into effect, CITES remains in integral part of conservation work and now has a membership rate of 175 countries. 34,000 species are protected from poaching and illegal trade. Every two to three years, representatives meet and update their list of protected species. The protected are sorted into three categories, each level providing more or less protection depending upon the state of the species as a whole.

Even though CITES has been put into effect, there are still poachers operating illegally. CITES decided to take some action against those criminals by meeting with law enforcement officals and rangers in order to work out ways to stop the wrongdoers and further protect the animals they target. It's been made clear that CITES is not only protecting the cheetah, but other endangered and important animals as well. Legal action is needed in order to fully help a species survive despite victimization. CITES is the answer and even more countries should consider signing in and taking the initiative to protect their ecosystems as well as the health of the environment itself.


Works Cited:

CITES Logo. Digital image. CITES. Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, n.d. Web. 14 Oct. 2014.

"CITES." WorldWildlife.org. World Wildlife Fund, n.d. Web. 14 Oct. 2014.

Largo, Verity. "Poaching - the Cheetahs of the Serengeti Face Extinction."Ecologist. N.p., 16 Nov. 2013. Web. 14 Oct. 2014.

An Unlikely Friendship

In my search of trying to learn more about cheetahs and the efforts to conserve them, I often come across zoo websites. Zoos are vital in conservation efforts because without them, there would be no way to learn about ways to keep the cheetah population in the wild thriving without learning from the captive animals.

Since there are inbreeding problems between cheetahs, there are few captive cheetahs. Keeping diversification strong in the wild is important to avoid birthing cheetahs with undesirable traits. Cheetahs, though solitary in adulthood, need to learn how to behave properly.Since there are aren't many captive cheetahs available, zoos needed to find a way for their cubs with no littermates to learn proper behavior.

Zookeepers in Busch Gardens in Tampa, Florida, a leading power in animal conservation and education, came up with a great way to socialize one of their cheetah cubs. Kasi the cheetah was born at the Jacksonville Zoo, but he was sent to live at Busch Gardens when his mother couldn't care for him. Motherless and without siblings, it was decided that a companion was needed for the young cub.

Enter Mtani, a dog adopted from a shelter in Florida. It was a perfect solution, Kasi would get to learn how to behave like a four-legged animal and Mtani would have a home and a new best friend. The keepers were thrilled to see that the pair got along great.The two, once fully introduced and living in the same enclosure, played, groomed, and cuddled together everyday. Kasi and Mtani, with their keeper's help, became ambassadors for Busch Gardens and traveled to different schools, teaching children about their unusual friendship.

Over time, Kasi began to show interest in the female cheetahs and less interest in Mtani. The decision was made to put Kasi in with a female and move Mtani out. However, Mtani is happily living with keepers and Kasi is now learning how to interact with other cheetahs. This special time for the first two years of Kasi's life and Mtani's fresh start have proven that friendship can defy the odds.

 

Works Cited:

 Chaney, Anna. "A Day in the Life of Kasi, Part 2." Busch Gardens Tampa. Busch Gardens, n.d. Web. 22 Sept. 2014.

Chaney, Anna. Kasi and Mtani. Digital image. Busch Gardens Tampa Blog. Busch Gardens, n.d. Web. 22 Sept. 2014.

Chaney, Anna. "Our Baby Cheetah, Kasi: A Day in the Life, Part 1." Busch Gardens Tampa. Busch Gardens, n.d. Web. 22 Sept. 2014.
 

Chaney, Anna. "What's Next for Kasi and Mtani?" Busch Gardens Tampa. Busch Gardens, n.d. Web. 22 Sept. 2014.

 

Conservation Efforts in Namibia: The Anatolian Guard Dog

As it unfortunately tends to be, many species that are beginning to become endangered are attributed to negative human influence. The cheetah, sadly, is not an exception to this rule. Farmers in South Africa, who make a living off their livestock, were having serious issues with cheetahs. Lack of prey sources and the promise of an easier meal were forcing the cheetahs closer and closer to human civilization, where the farmers keep and herd their livestock. Cheetahs would end up killing members of herds to eat and outraged farmers were forced to go out and execute the cheetah that harmed the herd. Clearly there was was a serious issue between these farmers and the big cats. Something had to be done to alleviate the problem.

In 2005, De Wildt's Wild Cheetah Management Project (WCMP) and Cheetah Outreach programs were launched in efforts to bring the Anatolian shepherd, a fiercely protective herding dog, to farmers in the Linpopo and North West South African provinces. Farmers were selected carefully and given the information on how to care for these dogs properly. The cost of caring for these dogs, since it was a trial run for the program itself, was covered for the first year to help convince the farmers to let these dogs become a part of their herd. The dogs themselves were to be trained by the farmers, so it was up to the herdsman themselves to ensure the program's success.

Fortune was on this project's side as the results were nothing short of amazing. The Anatolian shepherds reduced herd losses from 95-100%. This was the first recorded successful attempt at introducing guard dogs to South Africa to protect sheep and goats and the program is continuing to thrive today. Dogs are becoming a part of the lives of the farmers and are successfully forcing not only cheetahs to move away from civilization and back into the wild where they belong,but hyenas and leopards as well.

These guard dogs have impacted South African farmers in a great way. Their devotion to their masters and their herd have shown the farmers that dogs can be a vital part of their lives. The farmers are becoming more passionate about trying to conserve the wildlife that used to harm their herds as well. By obtaining and training one of these Anatolian shepherds, farmers are participating in ensuring that the cheetah population can continue to fight to stay stable. However, this project is not the only one where dogs and cheetahs were introduced for the benefit of both species.

http://www.cheetah.co.za/pdf/Complete%20famers%20manual.pdf

The link above will take you to the manual that all South African farmers, who will receive an Anatolian Shepherd, get before they get their dog.


Neeake on guard with his herd in Molopo River, South Africa. Cheetah Outreach, a conservation program, places dogs like Neeake to protect herds from cheetahs, so that farmers will then have less of a reason to hunt the cheetahs.. 2010.

Works Cited:

 "Cheetah Outreach - South Africa." Cheetah Outreach - South Africa. Cheetah Outreach, n.d. Web. 08 Sept. 2014.

 "Restoring the Balance: Non-Lethal Predator Control." Cheetah Outreach. Web. 8 Sept. 2014.

The Cheetah: Fighting for Survival

Cheetah, or Acinonyx jubatus, are slender, spotted big cats native to eastern and southwestern Africa. They are the fastest land mammal, who can go from 0 to 60 mph in a little over 3 seconds. While lions are built for strength and leopards for stealth, the cheetah is built for speed. They use this speed to hunt impala and gazelle, most of which consist of vulnerable newborns or weak members of a herd. Alas, many people know the basic information about these fantastic cats. Yet what most people don't know about the cheetah is something quite drastic: they are endangered.

Decades ago, cheetah once roamed almost the entire African continent and a bit into Asia all the way down to eastern India.  Presently, only 23% of the cheetah's former territory remains inhabited by the cats and only 100 cheetahs remain in Asia, specifically Iran. The topic of conserving cheetahs is of the utmost importance. These cats control the populations of the prey they hunt and are vital to the African ecosystem and food chain. There are many projects and methods that are being used to conserve cheetahs, yet it is still likely that if we don't take serious action to assist these beautiful cats, there is a chance cheetahs will go extinct in our lifetimes. This topic is important to me because I believe all animals deserve a place in the world, especially when they contribute so much to the environment.

Cheetahs are important for African ecosystems and currently suffer from dwindling population numbers.The posts following this overview will discuss why cheetahs are disappearing, what projects exist to save cheetahs, and how zoos are working to build population numbers. One project in particular is so unique because it goes above and beyond to not only help cheetahs, but man and other beasts as well.




                                       Citations:
"About the Cheetah." RSS 20. Cheetah Conservation Fund, n.d. Web. 26 Aug. 2014.

 "Cheetahs, Cheetah Pictures, Cheetah Facts - National Geographic." National Geographic. National Geographic, n.d. Web. 25 Aug. 2014.

Cheetah Conservation. Digital image. Ka'Ingo Private Reserve and Spa. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Aug. 2014. <http://www.kaingo.co.za/about-media/cheetah-conservation.jpg>.

 McCarthy, Eugene M., PHD. "What Do Cheetahs Eat? - Online Biology Dictionary." What Do Cheetahs Eat? - Online Biology Dictionary. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Aug. 2014.

"Race For Survival." RSS 20. Cheetah Conservation Fund, n.d. Web. 26 Aug. 2014.