Project Profile

Cheetah Status

 

According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, cheetahs are classified as vulnerable, with an approximate 7500 known adult cheetahs remaining.  The total population is not expected to surpass 10 000 adult animals [2].  The global population has therefore suffered a decrease of around 90% over the last 100 years, with Africa and Asia combined comprising an estimated 100,000 cheetahs in 1900 [3].

 

The majority of the remaining population is classified as “free-roaming”, falling outside the boundaries of reserves and other protected areas [4].  For this reason, the existing populations that are currently protected within nature reserves, as well as data relating to their status within those areas is crucial to the survival of the species in the long term.

Importance of the study

 

Abundance study

Conducting a census of the population will help greatly in assisting in gaining an understanding of the distribution and status of the species, which is essential for conservation planning and the formulation of effective management strategies [4]. 

 

Spatial study

Monitoring and therefore information regarding a species’ ranging patterns is key to gaining an understanding of its behavioural ecology, which in turn is essential in effectively planning the species’ management [7].  Through studying the spatial ecology of cheetahs within the reserve, home ranges will be determined, as well as habitat preferences.  Moreover, it is currently unknown whether the animals in the Reserve are a distinct subpopulation or part of a larger regional population.  A clearer understanding of this status will help to inform their future management.

 

Genetic study

It is believed that cheetahs as a species, have in the past undergone a series of population bottlenecks, and research has proven that the species displays an extremely low level of genetic variability [2&3].  Due to this lack of genetic diversity, an assessment of the TPNR cheetah population’s genetic variability and monitoring of the general health is an essential factor in understanding and ensuring the viability of the species in the long-term [8]. 

 

Ethical responsibility

The cheetah faces a very uncertain future, and for this reason alone, it is vitally important that we fully understand it as a species and therefore provide sound scientific knowledge from research conducted, on which effective conservation strategies can be based.  From an emotional standpoint it is important to conserve the species based on the promotion of biodiversity and the ethical responsibility that we as humans possess, in terms of protecting our environment and the world in which we live.  We are ultimately responsible for the species’ diminishing status.

Project Methods

 

Abundance study

A photographic cheetah census is going to be conducted throughout the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve, from November 2009 to early 2011. The study will be based on the individual recognition of cheetahs through their unique pattern of spots.  We therefore invite all visitors to the TPNR to please kindly assist us, by sending in photos of any cheetahs encountered during visits to the reserve.  Please see the ‘Cheetah Census’ link for further details in this regard.

 

All photos will then be inserted into a spot recognition program for automated photo-id of cheetahs, permitting for the continual identification of animals as the database grows.  The data collected from the various photographic records will be analysed using the software package known as CAPTURE, whereby an estimate of the abundance of cheetahs within the reserve can be established based on the recapture frequency of the individuals identified [4]. 

 

Spatial study

Home range size as well as habitat use will be analysed using cellular (GPS/GSM) collars, whereby two adult cheetahs will be darted, anaesthetised and fitted with the collars.  A cellular (GPS/GSM) collar allows for the daily collection of data, whereby the collar is pre programmed to take latitude and longitude readings at various intervals [1&9]. 

 

Genetic Variability

Cheetah scats are going to be collected throughout the reserve, with the cooperation of and contributions from staff, owners and field ranger patrol units.  DNA obtained from cells within the scat samples will be analysed, and the data gathered will allow for an evaluation of the genetic diversity of the cheetah population within the reserve [7].  All analyses will take place in Namibia at the Cheetah Conservation Fund’s (CCF’s) laboratory.

References

 

1. Anon. 2009. Timbavati Private Nature Reserve. Available from: http://www.timbavati.co.za, [Accessed 18 September, 2009].

2. Broomhall, L. S., Mills, M. G. L. and du Toit, J. T. 2003. Home range and habitat use by cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus) in the Kruger National Park. Journal of Zoology, London 261: 119-128.

3. De Wildt Cheetah and Wildlife Trust. 2005. De Wildt Wild Cheetah Project. Available from: http://www.dewildt.org.za/cheetahchallenges.htm, [Accessed 3 March, 2009].

4. Gros, P. M., Kelly, M. J. and Caro, T. M. 1996. Estimating carnivore densities for conservation purposes: indirect methods compared to baseline demographic data. Oikos 77: 197-206.

5. IUCN Cat Specialist Group. 2009. Species information – Cheetah. Available from: http://www.catsg.org/cheetah/20_cc-compendium/home/index_en.htm, [Accessed 25 March, 2009].

6. IUCN Red List. 2009. Acinonyx jubatus. Available from: http://www.iucnredlist.org, [Accessed 26 October, 2009].

7. Marker, L. L. 2002. Aspects of Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) Biology, Ecology and Conservation Strategies on Namibian Farmlands.  PhD Thesis, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.

8. Marker, L.L., Pearks Wilkerson, A.J., Sarno, R.J., Martenson, J., Breitenmoser-Würsten, O’Brien, SJ. and Johnson, W.E. 2008.  Molecular genetic insights on cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) ecology and conservation in Namibia.  Journal of Heredity.  99(1): 2-13.

9. Marnewick, K. De Wildt Wild Cheetah Program. 2005. Report on the cheetah census for the year 2005. De Wildt Cheetah and Wildlife Trust.

10. Marnewick, K., Funston, P. J. and Karanth, K. U. 2007. Evaluating camera trapping as a method for estimating cheetah abundance in ranching areas. South African Journal of Wildlife Research 38(1): 59-65.

© TPNR

© TPNR

About the project

 

We are aiming to conduct a series of studies on the cheetahs within the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve (TPNR), designed to evaluate the:

 

1. Abundance of cheetahs within the TPNR via a photographic survey, as well as to establish whether they form part of a regional population. A database of individual cheetahs identified will be generated using spot recognition;

2. Genetic variability of the population, through collection of faecal samples for subsequent DNA extraction and sequencing; and

3. Home range requirements and spatial utilisation of cheetahs within the Reserve.

 

The project will operate for approximately a 12 month period, over the year 2010, following on into early 2011.  The project will then hopefully be repeated every four/five years so as to coincide with the Kruger National Park (KNP) cheetah census, thereby providing further information and a broader understanding with regards to the population within the Greater Kruger area.

 

Study Area

 

The Timbavati Private Nature Reserve is situated near the town of Hoedspruit in the Limpopo Province.  The reserve covers an area of ±55 000 hectares, comprising various privately owned farms and guest lodges.  The reserve shares an unfenced border with and essentially forms part of the Greater Kruger Park [5].