Today is International Cheetah Day, a day dedicated to raising awareness for the conservation needs of the world’s fastest cat species. Despite being deeply admired and worshipped for centuries, Cheetahs have now become the most endangered big cat in Africa and their population has declined by 90% in 100 years, leaving just 7,100 left in the wild.
With Cheetahs now being classed as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), we have been working with the Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF) to raise awareness and funds for these incredible animals across the world.
Inspired by the birth of two Northern Cheetah cubs at Yorkshire WildLife Park, we’ve partnered with the park and CCF to fundraise £10,000 to help protect the species. The contributions made through the Cheetah Challenge will significantly help us in our aim to preserve the Cheetah population, ensuring that these adorable animals can thrive in their natural habitats for generations to come!
What to learn more about Cheetahs?
Take a read of these five fun facts below:
Speed Champions: Cheetahs are the fastest land animals, capable of reaching speeds up to 70 mph (113 km/h) in short bursts covering distances up to 500 meters. They can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 3 seconds!
Unique Adaptations for Speed: Their bodies are built for speed: lightweight frames, long legs, non-retractable claws for traction, and a long tail that acts as a rudder for balance and steering.
Distinctive Black “Tear Marks”: The black lines running from their eyes to their mouths help reduce glare from the sun and improve focus on prey, making them excellent daytime hunters.
Low Roar, High Purr: Unlike other big cats, cheetahs can’t roar. Instead, they communicate through a range of vocalisations, including chirps, growls, and purrs when content.
Wide Range but Fragmented Habitat: Cheetahs once roamed across Africa, the Middle East, and parts of Asia, but today they are primarily found in sub-Saharan Africa. Small populations still exist in Iran, highlighting their resilience despite challenges from habitat loss and fragmentation.
WildLife Foundation is committed to improving the welfare of Cheetahs. If you would like to donate to the Cheetah Challenge and help us raise £10,000 to support the CCF’s conservation efforts, please click here to donate. We could not do what we do without your generosity! To keep up to date with our latest news updates, be sure to sign up for our newsletter and follow us on Facebook, X/ Twitter, and Instagram.
