The Northeast African Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus soemmeringii), a group of experts has recently appealed to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) to reconsider its status from ‘vulnerable’ to ‘endangered.’
About the African cheetah:
- The Southeast African cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus jubatus) is a large felid native to Africa and parts of the Middle East.
- It resides mainly in the lowland areas and deserts of the Kalahari, the savannahs of Okavango Delta, and the grasslands of the Transvaal region in South Africa.
Characteristics:
- Males are slightly taller than females and have slightly bigger heads with wider incisors and longer mandibles.
- It has a bright yellow or sometimes a golden coat, and its fur is slightly thicker than that of other subspecies.
- The white underside is very distinct, especially on the neck and breast, and it has less spotting on its belly.
- The spots on the face are more pronounced.
Illegal Trafficking and Genetic Diversity
- There is an increasing threat of illegal trafficking of the subspecies’ cubs across the Red Sea, impacting its genetic diversity and overall population.
- The Northeast African Cheetah, specifically the subspecies soemmeringii, is facing a grave threat due to the illegal trafficking of its cubs to Arab countries like Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen.
- The genetic diversity of soemmeringii, already existing in a slender population, is further compromised by this illicit trade.
Conservation status:
- CITES: Appendix I
- IUCN: Vulnerable
Ref: Source
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