The cheetah, the world’s fastest land animal, has faced a perilous decline in recent decades. With fewer than 7,000 left in the wild, the species is on the brink of extinction. Yet, in the heart of South Africa, a remarkable conservation effort is driving the cheetah’s comeback, offering a renewed sense of hope for its future.
A History of Decline
Multiple factors have driven the cheetah’s decline, including habitat loss, poaching, the cheetah pet trade, and human-wildlife conflict. Over a century ago, farmers in the Free State of South Africa wiped out the species by expanding agriculture into their natural habitat.
Kishindo's Role
Kishindo, a wildlife reserve in the Free State, has played a key role in the cheetah’s resurgence. In 2014, the reserve reintroduced four captive cheetah cubs into the wild. This marked the start of a new chapter for the species in the region.
The Cheetah Metapopulation Program
Kishindo has partnered with The Metapopulation Initiative and Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) to help increase cheetah populations throughout Africa. By relocating wild cheetah to selected reserves, preventing inbreeding and strengthening the gene pool, the program has been instrumental in bolstering the species’ numbers.
Thanks to the efforts of these organizations, the cheetah population in South Africa has experienced a remarkable recovery. From a low of 217 individuals on 41 metapopulation managed reserves in 2011, the number has grown to around 537 on 75 reserves in 2024. This achievement is a testament to the power of human intervention when it’s focused on conservation. There are now approximately 1,700 wild cheetah left in South Africa.
The Future of Cheetahs
Progress in cheetah conservation is encouraging, but the species is still at risk. Habitat loss, poaching, and climate change remain major threats. Continued and expanded conservation is vital for the cheetah’s survival.
The story of the cheetah’s recovery in South Africa is a beacon of hope for wildlife conservation. Thanks to the work of Kishindo, The Metapopulation Initiative, and EWT, the species is slowly clawing its way back from extinction. As we face growing environmental challenges, the cheetah’s comeback reminds us of the power of human action to protect biodiversity.