Despite being the fastest land animal, the cheetah faces a dire future, with scientists warning that its unique adaptations may hinder its survival in a rapidly changing environment.
Current estimates indicate fewer than 10,000 cheetahs remain in the wild, a sharp decline from around 100,000 a century ago.
Their slender build and low body mass, which allow them to reach speeds of up to 75 mph, have left them struggling to adapt to the pressures of habitat loss caused by human activities.
As urbanization and agriculture encroach on their natural habitats, cheetahs compete for food with larger predators such as lions, leopards, and hyenas.
Researchers at Queen’s University Belfast discovered that these agile cats spend significant time stalking prey across the savannah—an energy-intensive task they are not evolutionarily designed for.
Dr. Michael Scantlebury, the study’s lead author, explained, “Cheetahs may be Ferraris, but most of the time they are driving slowly.”
His research, published in the journal Science, highlights that the primary energy expenditure for cheetahs arises from travel rather than hunting.
Dr. Scantlebury illustrated these animals’ challenges: “If you can imagine walking up and down dunes in high temperatures day in and day out, with no water to drink, you start to get a feel for how challenging these cats’ daily lives are.”
The study points out that human actions—such as erecting fences that limit movement and overhunting prey—force cheetahs to cover greater distances in search of food, further draining their energy reserves.
To investigate these issues, the research team monitored 19 free-ranging cheetahs over two weeks in southern Africa.
They injected the animals with a traceable substance and analyzed their droppings to measure daily energy loss.
Co-author Dr. Nikki Marks emphasized the importance of such research: “It helps improve our understanding of the challenges facing cheetahs as they strive to survive and informs future conservation strategies for them and other threatened species.”
Dr. John Wilson from North Carolina State University, who also contributed to the study, noted that the decline of cheetah populations is often attributed to larger predators.
However, he insists that human activity plays a significant role: “Imagine how hard it must be for a small cub to follow its mother further and further through the desert to look for food while she herself is fighting for survival.”
The study highlights the urgent need for conservation efforts to address the impacts of habitat loss and competition on these remarkable animals before it’s too late.
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