In fact, cheetahs are visual hunters. Unlike other big cats, cheetahs are diurnal, meaning they hunt in the early morning and late afternoon. Cheetahs climb ‘playtrees’ or termite mounds to get an optimal vantage point for spotting prey against the horizon. The hunt has several components, including prey detection, stalking, the chase, and then tripping (which is the ultimate goal of prey capture) when they catch and eat their prey. Living on the open Savannah helps cheetahs use their most valuable weapon... speed!
Most wild cheetahs exist in isolated populations in pockets of Africa, occupying a mere 9 percent of their historic range. In Iran, fewer than 50 Asiatic cheetahs (a sub-species) remain.
As with many other species fighting extinction, the problem facing cheetahs is complex and multifaceted. However, most of the reasons for the cheetah’s endangerment can be grouped into three overarching categories: human-wildlife conflict, loss of habitat and sources of prey, and illegal poaching and wildlife trafficking (with many cubs being taken from the Horn of Africa and smuggled into the exotic pet trade, primarily in the Gulf States).
Human-Wildlife Conflict:
When a predator threatens a farmer’s livestock, they also threaten the farmer’s livelihood. Farmers act quickly to protect their resources, often trapping or shooting the cheetah. Because cheetahs hunt more during the day, they are seen more often than the nocturnal predators -- which contributes to a higher rate of persecution of the cheetah.
Habitat Loss:
