One of the most distinguished big cats of Africa is the cheetah, Acinonyx jubatu. This predator is well known for its speed; it can reach speeds of up to 112 /120 kilometres per hour.
History.
It is also the most endangered cat in Africa. In the early 1900s it was believed that there were about 100,000 wild cheetahs. More recent estimates in1990 put the total population down to 12,000 cheetahs left in the wild, mostly in sub-Saharan Africa.
Up to 2,500 of those live in Namibia with other, somewhat smaller, groups in Botswana, South Africa and Zimbabwe and even smaller numbers in the surrounding areas. Historically cheetahs have been known to thrive in almost any arid environment with the exception of thickly forested areas and wide expanses of sand. Local studies have indicated that in at least some areas of Africa the population is stable, meaning that the numbers are not going down and the occupied range is not getting smaller. However on a global scale, the total cheetah population is decreasing.
It is also the most endangered cat in Africa. In the early 1900s it was believed that there were about 100,000 wild cheetahs. More recent estimates in1990 put the total population down to 12,000 cheetahs left in the wild, mostly in sub-Saharan Africa.
Up to 2,500 of those live in Namibia with other, somewhat smaller, groups in Botswana, South Africa and Zimbabwe and even smaller numbers in the surrounding areas. Historically cheetahs have been known to thrive in almost any arid environment with the exception of thickly forested areas and wide expanses of sand. Local studies have indicated that in at least some areas of Africa the population is stable, meaning that the numbers are not going down and the occupied range is not getting smaller. However on a global scale, the total cheetah population is decreasing.
Faster then a Ferrari.
The cheetah is a large-sized feline (family Felidea). The cheetah is the only extant member
of the genus Acinonyx, most notable for modifications in the species’ paws. As such, it is the only felid with non-retractable claws and pads that, by their scope, disallow gripping. Therefore the cheetah cannot climb vertical trees, although they are generally capable of reaching easily accessible branches.
These modifications however, allow the cheetah to achieve its high speeds of between 112 and 120 kilometres per hour. This is by far the fastest of any land animal. They run in short bursts of up to 500 metres and can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in three seconds, which makes this animal faster than a Ferrari! Look at this youtube video for yourself.
The cheetah is a large-sized feline (family Felidea). The cheetah is the only extant member
of the genus Acinonyx, most notable for modifications in the species’ paws. As such, it is the only felid with non-retractable claws and pads that, by their scope, disallow gripping. Therefore the cheetah cannot climb vertical trees, although they are generally capable of reaching easily accessible branches.
These modifications however, allow the cheetah to achieve its high speeds of between 112 and 120 kilometres per hour. This is by far the fastest of any land animal. They run in short bursts of up to 500 metres and can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in three seconds, which makes this animal faster than a Ferrari! Look at this youtube video for yourself.
Hoedspruit, cheetah country
In the vicinity of Hoedspruit you can find Big-5 reserves where the cheetah populations flourish. There is off course the Krugerpark, where and estimated 200 to 220 cheetahs live and some private reserves. Further there are the rehabilitation centres like Moholoholo and the Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre (HESC), where you can also see the rare King cheetah, characterised by a distinct fur pattern.
This makes Hoedspruit prime cheetah country, worth a visit. Or even move down here permanently, look here for Wildlife Properties, and make your way home.
In the vicinity of Hoedspruit you can find Big-5 reserves where the cheetah populations flourish. There is off course the Krugerpark, where and estimated 200 to 220 cheetahs live and some private reserves. Further there are the rehabilitation centres like Moholoholo and the Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre (HESC), where you can also see the rare King cheetah, characterised by a distinct fur pattern.
This makes Hoedspruit prime cheetah country, worth a visit. Or even move down here permanently, look here for Wildlife Properties, and make your way home.
Cheetahs in Balule Game Reserve.
In June two young cheetahs of approximately nine months old were found, abandoned by their mother, who repeatedly left the reserve. Craig Spencer, the warden of the Olifants West section, reports that the youngsters refused to follow her as they had done several times before. The warden and his team brought her back into the reserve several times but she kept escaping. They monitored the young cheetahs and consulted experts, vets and HESC. After a few days it was decided to dart them since they were starving to death and would not make it without intervention. They were kept for observation by Dr Rogers (Pro Vet) as they were very thin and cold. After tube feeding and re-hydration they were brought to HESC where they will stay until they are old enough to be released again.
In June two young cheetahs of approximately nine months old were found, abandoned by their mother, who repeatedly left the reserve. Craig Spencer, the warden of the Olifants West section, reports that the youngsters refused to follow her as they had done several times before. The warden and his team brought her back into the reserve several times but she kept escaping. They monitored the young cheetahs and consulted experts, vets and HESC. After a few days it was decided to dart them since they were starving to death and would not make it without intervention. They were kept for observation by Dr Rogers (Pro Vet) as they were very thin and cold. After tube feeding and re-hydration they were brought to HESC where they will stay until they are old enough to be released again.
Did you know?
· The name cheetah comes from the Hindu word “chita” meaning “the spotted one”.
· Cheetahs were so popular that Akbar the Great of India was said to have kept a stable of about 1000.
· The young cub has a long grey-blue coat and a black underbelly that rapidly lightens end becomes spotted.
· Early people trained cheetahs for hunting and many civilisations depicted them in their art and written records.
· Ancient Egyptians often kept cheetahs as pets and also tamed them and trained them for hunting.
· Male cheetahs live in small groups, the female is solitary except when mating or when she has cubs.
Save the cheetah.
Cheetahs are an endangered species. Like all spotted and striped cats, cheetahs have long been under pressure by the fur trade but over-hunting is not the main problem that cheetahs face. Loss of habitat, competition with large predators and farmers, as well as its own loss of genetic variation, is killing the remaining cheetahs. The real threat to cheetahs is that there is not room enough for them and their needs on a crowded continent. Once open, free range land is now fenced and in addition cheetahs are believed to be in direct competition with the local farmers, which makes them constant targets for trapping and hunting.
Cheetahs are an endangered species. Like all spotted and striped cats, cheetahs have long been under pressure by the fur trade but over-hunting is not the main problem that cheetahs face. Loss of habitat, competition with large predators and farmers, as well as its own loss of genetic variation, is killing the remaining cheetahs. The real threat to cheetahs is that there is not room enough for them and their needs on a crowded continent. Once open, free range land is now fenced and in addition cheetahs are believed to be in direct competition with the local farmers, which makes them constant targets for trapping and hunting.
Today it is hard to imagine that just 100 years ago Africa was a wild and open place, with small pockets of human agriculture and development. Now when you fly over much of the continent you observe a vast area of farms, ranches and human settlements, with only pockets of wild areas protected in national parks and private reserves. Much wildlife, especially the big animals, is relegated to live within the boundaries of those parks for their own protection. But cheetahs can live successfully in agricultural areas if farmers would learn to value the cheetah and learn their natural behaviour.
Cheetahs are best known for living in the grasslands of East Africa, in vast national parks like the Serengeti and Masai Mara. However, cheetahs can range throughout any open country, from savannah to scrubland and semi-desert, where there is adequate prey for them to survive.
How can we save the cheetah? You can support the cheetah by visiting one of the rehabilitation centres in South Africa, in some you can adopt a cheetah or you can donate to the cheetah conservation fund. To see those magnificent animals in the wild you can try your luck in the Krugerpark. Even if you don’t see a cheetah, I’m sure you will see many other animals.
Regards form the bush
Corné
Corné
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