The Northeast African Cheetah, scientifically known as Acinonyx jubatus soemmeringii, is witnessing a serious threat to its existence due to a decline in its genetic diversity. This unfortunate scenario is mainly attributed to the rampant illegal trade of cubs to Arab countries.
An Introduction to the Northeast African Cheetah
First described under the scientific name Cynailurus soemmeringii by Leopold Fitzinger, an Austrian zoologist, in 1855, this particular subspecies of cheetah is also referred to as the Sudan cheetah. The basis of its early description was a specimen brought from Sudan’s Bayuda Desert to the Tiergarten Schönbrunn in Vienna. Interestingly, this subspecies shares closer relatives with the Southern African cheetah than the Saharan cheetah populations.
Habitat and Distribution of the Northeast African Cheetah
The Northeast African cheetah is typically located in Northeast Africa, including Ethiopia and South Sudan. Their preferred habitats are wide-open lands, grasslands, and semi-arid areas where prey is abundant. These habitats often feature sparse vegetation, supporting the cheetah’s hunting strategy that hinges on high-speed pursuits. Prominent among these habitats is the East Sudanian Savanna.
Threats Facing the Northeast African Cheetah
The survival of the Northeast African cheetahs is under severe threat. One of the major threats they face is the illegal trafficking of cheetah cubs across the Red Sea to Arab countries, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen.
Another major challenge to their survival is habitat loss. Human encroachment on their lands, coupled with extensive hunting, has led to a significant decrease in their numbers. Currently, only a few scattered populations of these cheetahs remain, and these are mostly found in protected areas.
Conservation Status of the Northeast African Cheetah
Recognizing the critical situation of the Northeast African cheetah, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has listed the subspecies as endangered on its Red List. This classification indicates a very high risk of extinction, emphasizing the need for urgent conservation measures to protect and revive these cheetah populations.