African Cheetah

In News

• The introduction of African Cheetah from Namibia into India has been postponed due to Omicron variant restrictions.

About African Cheetah

• Scientific Name: Acinonyx jubatus jubatus
• Description: 
  • Timid and introverted predators, 
  • They have a long, slender body measuring 1.2 meters (4 feet), with a long tail (65–85 cm ) to balance, that generally ends in a white tuft. 
  • They are about 75 cm tall at the shoulder. 
  • Their weight ranges from 34 to 54 kg (75 to 119 pounds), males being slightly larger than females 
  • They have small black round spots all over their body, black markings running from the inside of the eye to the corner of the mouth.
• Habitat: African Savannahs
• Prey: Small antelopes, mammals, birds
• Speed: Fastest of all land animals
• Conservation: IUCN status: Vulnerable; CITES: Appendix I
• Threats: Human-wildlife conflict, Habitat loss, Illegal trade, Snatch of prey by bigger omnivores like Lions, and pack of Hyenas.

Solutions

• Minimize human-wildlife conflict
• Work with communities
• Curb on illegal trade
• Conservation efforts like ex-situ breeding

Source: DTE