Cheetah Poaching in Africa

​There are less than 6,000 cheetahs left in the world…

Have you wondered how many cheetahs live in Namibia, South Africa, East Africa, Sudan, and Northeast Africa?

Southern and eastern Africa remain strongholds for cheetah populations, but these numbers vary widely by region:

• Namibia boasts the largest known population, with around 2,500 cheetahs living in the wild.

• South Africa is home to an estimated 7,000 to 10,000 cheetahs, making it a critical refuge for the species.

• East Africa sadly has fewer than 100 individuals left, illustrating just how threatened these areas have become.

• In Sudan, numbers are higher than in East Africa but still grim, with fewer than 2,000 cheetahs remaining.

• Northeast Africa supports even smaller populations, with fewer than 500 individuals still roaming free.

These figures highlight both where conservation efforts have made an impact, and where urgent action is still needed to protect the cheetah’s future.

How many Asiatic cheetahs remain in Iran, and in which provinces are they found?

Today, the Asiatic cheetah’s story is especially heartbreaking. Fewer than 200 individuals cling to survival, and their last strongholds are scattered across Iran. Most of these elusive cats are found roaming the provinces of Khorassanand Semnan, with a handful struggling on in areas like Isfahan, Yazd, and Kerman. Their shrinking range and minuscule numbers leave their future perilously uncertain.

Cheetah Habitat and Temperature Tolerance

Cheetahs thrive in a range of environments, but they’re particularly drawn to the bush and savanna woodlands—places with open spaces dotted with shrubs or scattered trees. These habitats offer them the perfect combination of cover for stalking prey and open ground to unleash their legendary speed. They’re not picky about temperatures, either; cheetahs are remarkably adaptable and can withstand anything from chilly 0ºC mornings to sweltering afternoons reaching 45ºC.

This incredible resilience helps explain how they’ve managed to survive in diverse parts of Africa—and why preserving these varied landscapes is so critical to their future.

Which five countries have the largest cheetah populations?

While cheetahs are now scattered thinly across their once vast range, there are a handful of countries where these sprinters still hang on with relatively sizable numbers:

• Tanzania is home to the largest population, benefiting from iconic conservation locales such as the Serengetiand Ruaha.

• South Africa follows, thanks in part to collaborative private reserves and intensive rewilding projects.

• Mozambique is gaining ground as ongoing translocation efforts help bolster their numbers within major parklands.

• Namibia has long prided itself as a cheetah stronghold, supported by grassroots conservation organizations and progressive landowner agreements.

• Botswana remains a key country for cheetah survival, with the Okavango Delta and its surrounding wildlands providing layered protection.

These nations hold the greatest remaining hope for cheetah populations on the continent—though even here, fragile gains can turn to losses without ongoing vigilance and support.

Cheetah Populations in Egypt and Central Asia

If you’re wondering about cheetahs in Egypt or Central Asia, prepare for some sobering news. While cheetahs were once a familiar sight along the banks of the Nile—think Cleopatra, not cat-free deserts—the species has now vanished from Egypt entirely. Not a single wild cheetah remains, with recent assessments confirming their extinction in the region.

Central Asia tells a similarly tragic tale. The Turkestan (or Central Asian) cheetah, once roaming the open landscapes from Iran to Kazakhstan, has disappeared from the wild. Only a small handful—primarily the critically endangered Asiatic cheetah—cling to survival in the remote deserts of Iran, specifically in the provinces of Khorassan and Semnan, with scattered reports from areas like Yazd and Kerman. Outside of these strongholds, cheetahs in Central Asia are considered extinct, their former habitats now only echoing with stories of their once-sleek presence.

What is the typical lifespan of male and female cheetahs in the wild?

Cheetah lifespans can differ slightly based on sex and their roles in the wild. Female cheetahs, often leading solitary lives as they hunt and raise cubs on their own, generally live around seven years in their natural habitat. Males, on the other hand, tend to live a bit longer—up to eight years on average—often found in small coalitions with their brothers or other males.

Of course, these numbers can fluctuate depending on environmental pressures, predation, and human intervention. Conservation efforts from organizations across Africa (such as those at Manyoni and Phinda) are critical in helping these elegant cats not just survive, but thrive.

How Male and Female Cheetahs Live Differently

Unlike many big cats, cheetahs have an unusual approach to social life. Male cheetahs typically band together in tight-knit groups called coalitions—often brothers from the same litter who stick together for life, working as a team to claim and defend territories. Females, on the other hand, are the lone rangers of the savanna. Aside from raising cubs or during fleeting encounters with males to breed, female cheetahs travel solo, covering vast territories in search of prey and safe spots for their young.

This split in social living helps the species adapt, but also means reintroduction and breeding programs face extra hurdles. A female’s solitary nature makes tracking population numbers tricky, and the male coalitions, while formidable, can only defend limited ground. The fragile balance between these lifestyles is just another challenge faced by the world’s speediest cat.

Where Are Cheetahs Now Considered Extinct or Possibly Extinct?

It’s a sobering fact: in many parts of their former range, cheetahs are now listed as extinct or possibly extinct by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. Countries once bustling with these swift predators have seen their populations vanish, leaving behind only historic tracks in the dust.

Some of the places that now classify cheetahs as extinct include:

• India

• Pakistan

• Nigeria

• Iraq

• Afghanistan

• Uzbekistan

• Ghana

• Saudi Arabia

• Ivory Coast

• Cameroon

• Syria

• Kazakhstan

• Senegal

• Guinea

• Rwanda

• Burundi

• Tunisia

• Jordan

• Tajikistan

• Israel

• Sierra Leone

• Turkmenistan

• Republic of the Congo

• Mauritania

• Kuwait

• Guinea-Bissau

• Eswatini (formerly Swaziland)

Several others—like South Sudan, Western Sahara, Somalia, Morocco, Egypt, Sudan, Togo, Eritrea, and Djibouti—are listed as “possibly extinct” or hold only a very slim hope of resident cheetahs.

Why Do Some “Extinct” Countries Still List Numbers?

You may be wondering why we sometimes see old population numbers, even for nations where cheetahs are now considered extinct. The answer is twofold:

• Data Lags and Incomplete Records: In some regions, wildlife monitoring is spotty at best. Historical estimates may linger in reports even after local cheetah populations are gone.

• Shared Habitats: Cheetahs don’t respect political borders. When their habitat stretches across several countries, population tallies are often split on paper—even if, in reality, no cheetahs remain in some of those nations.

All this to say: the real situation on the ground may be even more precarious for cheetahs than the numbers suggest. Habitat loss, conflict with humans, and illegal trafficking have pushed them to the brink in area after area.

Physical Characteristics and Unique Features

Cheetahs stand out in the animal kingdom for their distinctive look and record-breaking speed. Built for acceleration, their slender, lightweight frames are powered by long, muscular limbs and a deep chest—think of them as the Ferraris of the savanna. An adult cheetah typically sports a golden to tan coat adorned with solid black spots (never rosettes, sorry leopards), perfectly camouflaging them amid the tall grasses.

But it’s not just about good looks. Cheetahs have a small, aerodynamic head, black “tear marks” running from their eyes to their mouth (like the world’s most fashionable streaked eyeliner), and an extra-long tail that acts like a rudder to help with lightning-fast turns. Underneath, a pale belly provides subtle contrast.

The real headline here? Speed. While the average cheetah cruises at around 64 miles per hour, at full tilt during a hunt, some can top out at about 70 miles per hour—faster than a city bus on the Autobahn. Their spine works like a spring, stretching and contracting with every stride, enabling these cats to cover up to 25 feet in a single leap.

From their specialized non-retractable claws (like built-in track spikes) to enlarged nostrils for maximum oxygen intake, every aspect of a cheetah’s anatomy is tuned for pursuit. Now, that’s what we call an evolutionary edge.

Why Are Cheetah Population Counts So Uncertain?

Counting cheetahs isn’t anywhere near as easy as counting spots. There are a few big reasons why population estimates vary so much from country to country:

• Spotty Record-Keeping: Reliable data collection is a challenge, especially in regions with limited resources or conflict. Some countries simply don’t have the capacity for thorough tracking.

• Roaming Beyond Borders: Cheetahs are true wanderers. Their territories often stretch across national borders, so estimates have to be shared out—sometimes in tidy fractions—between neighboring countries. But, of course, the cats themselves don’t follow political lines.

• Estimates vs. Reality: Dividing a population between countries on paper is one thing; cheetahs’ real movements rarely fit government charts. This means actual numbers in each country could be very different from official figures.

All of this adds up to an even murkier picture for an already endangered species. The need for better research and cross-border cooperation has never been more urgent.

Where Cheetahs Still Roam: A Country-by-Country Look

If you’re wondering where cheetahs are clinging to survival in 2025, the sad truth is that their numbers are fragmented—a patchwork, not a stampede. While once they sprinted across continents from India to the Atlantic, today only a handful of African countries can still call them residents.

Here’s a snapshot of the estimated populations by country:

• Tanzania: About 938 cheetahs, zipping across the Serengeti and neighboring reserves.

• South Africa: Home to roughly 849 cheetahs, many in tightly managed reserves.

• Mozambique, Namibia, and Botswana: Each with an estimated 849, though keep in mind, cheetahs don’t stop to show passports at every border.

• Kenya: Around 716 cheetahs, most found in iconic parks like the Maasai Mara.

• South Sudan and DR Congo: Numbers dwindle here—343 in South Sudan, but uncertainty clouds their fate, while DR Congo’s population has sadly vanished.

• Western Sahara and Somalia: Possibly as low as 200 to 250, and hanging by a thread.

• Ethiopia, Chad, and the Central African Republic: Each holds just over a hundred.

A sobering detail: in countries like Iran and Angola, the number drops below 50, and across much of Asia and northern Africa—think India, Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, and beyond—the cheetah is now only a memory.

A few caveats:

• Record-keeping isn’t always as fastidious as the cats themselves, so these are rough estimates rather than hard science.

• Many cheetahs call cross-border landscapes home, so populations are often split between countries on paper (even if not in reality).

• Some countries still display historical numbers, even where the cheetah is now likely extinct or nearly so.

What does this all mean? Fewer wild cheetahs, more fragmented habitats, and a dire need for conservation that stretches far beyond a single country’s borders. If we want to keep this spotted blur in the wild, we’re running out of time.

How is Cheetah Population Data Shared Across Borders?

Tracking exact cheetah numbers in each country isn't always straightforward. In parts of Africa, reliable wildlife records can be scarce, and cheetahs themselves don’t pay much attention to the lines humans draw on maps. These cats often roam across expansive habitats that span several countries.

When researchers estimate how many cheetahs live in a habitat shared by multiple nations, they typically split the total population estimate evenly among the countries involved. For example, take the Bahr/Salama landscape, which stretches across Chad and the Central African Republic. If roughly 218 cheetahs are believed to roam this entire region, each country is reported as having about 109 individuals. This method isn’t perfect, but it offers a practical way to represent their numbers when cheetah ranges ignore political

How Accurate Are Cheetah Population Estimates by Country?

Getting a handle on just how many cheetahs call a particular country home isn’t as simple as glancing at one neat number. For starters, the records kept by different regions aren’t always up to scratch—and wild cheetahs, as you might guess, don’t care much about crossing human-made borders. They roam freely wherever the habitat allows, often making their territories stretch across two, three, or even more countries at once.

When researchers tally up the cheetahs in a region like the Bahr/Salama landscape—spilling between Chad and the Central African Republic—they usually split the total estimate between those countries to keep things relatively fair on paper. For instance, if there are roughly 218 cheetahs in that shared region, both Chad and CAR might be marked down as having 109 cheetahs apiece. In reality, though, the cats themselves don’t line up so neatly along invisible lines in the sand.

So, while these per-country numbers give us a helpful snapshot, they’re more like rough sketches than photo-real portraits. The reality on the ground can differ quite a bit from what’s written in reports, and cheetah numbers may shift from year to year as the animals move or as survey techniques improve. Conservationists continually update these figures, but it’s safe to say that any given country’s total is a blend of best guesses and educated estimates, rather than a pinpoint headcount.

What are the main causes of cheetah population decline, such as habitat encroachment and trophy hunting?

Not even the world’s fastest land animal can escape the perils of poaching. In 1970, the cheetah population hovered at 25,000; now we’re down to less than 6,000 or 10% from the s. Poachers aren’t their only enemy. Farmers kill to protect their livestock, and we continue encroaching on their habitat.

A Species on the Brink

Categorized as a vulnerable population—some subspecies even critically endangered—cheetahs are disappearing at an alarming rate. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), only between 4,000 and 12,000 wild cheetahs remain. The main culprits? Habitat loss as we carve up the land for ourselves, and trophy hunting, which has left its mark on these magnificent cats for generations.

Cheetahs are notoriously hard to repopulate. They often fight to the death with each other out in the wild when they are reintroduced to an area, or are taken out by larger carnivores. About 80% of cheetah populations contain fewer than 100 individuals. There are several successful initiatives and we have partnered with them on projects that are vital to the survival of the species. It’s important to bring new genealogy into a variety of regions so that the lines remain strong and not weakened by familial blood ties.

Cheetahs are often killed by farmers in retaliation for predation of their own animals. Goats and chickens are easy prey for cheetahs but farmers around many parts of Africa have resorted to using poison to kill them. Once the cheetahs die, any animal that feasts on its remains will also be poisoned and die. Vultures and other birds of prey have fallen victim to these poisonings and some are now also endangered.

Cheetahs are also dwindling because of the desire poachers have for their skins, bones, claws and teeth. While it’s still an illegal trade, many cheetahs are still killed and then trafficked.

What factors contribute to the cheetah’s vulnerable or critically endangered status according to the IUCN?

Not even the world’s fastest land animal can escape the perils of poaching. In 1970, the cheetah population hovered at 25,000; now we’re down to less than 6,000 or 10% from the s. Poachers aren’t their only enemy. Farmers kill to protect their livestock, and we continue encroaching on their habitat.

Categorized as a vulnerable population—and with some subspecies now critically endangered—the cheetah’s situation is dire. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) estimates there are only between 4,000 and 12,000 wild cheetahs left. Habitat encroachment and trophy hunting are primary culprits behind the disappearance of this magnificent cat.

Cheetahs are notoriously hard to repopulate. They often fight to the death with each other out in the wild when they are reintroduced to an area, or are taken out by larger carnivores. About 80% of cheetah populations contain fewer than 100 individuals. There are several successful initiatives and we have partnered with them on projects that are vital to the survival of the species. It’s important to bring new genealogy into a variety of regions so that the lines remain strong and not weakened by familial blood ties.

Cheetahs are often killed by farmers in retaliation for predation of their own animals. Goats and chickens are easy prey for cheetahs but farmers around many parts of Africa have resorted to using poison to kill them. Once the cheetahs die, any animal that feasts on its remains will also be poisoned and die. Vultures and other birds of prey have fallen victim to these poisonings and some are now also endangered.

Cheetahs are also dwindling because of the desire poachers have for their skins, bones, claws and teeth. While it’s still an illegal trade, many cheetahs are still killed and then trafficked.

Subspecies in Peril

The cheetah, under the genus Acinonyx, has been classified into five recognized subspecies:

• Northwest African cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus hecki)

• East African cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus fearsoni or A.j. Raineyi)

• South African cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus jubatus)

• Northeast African cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus soemmerringi)

• Asiatic cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus venaticus)

Each of these subspecies faces different levels of threat, with all subspecies listed as vulnerable except the Northwest African and Asiatic cheetahs, which are currently classified as critically endangered.

What is the total estimated number of mature cheetahs worldwide?

Not even the world’s fastest land animal can escape the perils of poaching. In 1970, the cheetah population hovered at 25,000; now we’re down to less than 6,000 or 10% from the s. Today, estimates put the total number of mature cheetahs remaining in the wild at approximately 6,517 individuals.

Where are the largest and most diverse cheetah populations found in the world today?

Cheetahs are only found in the wild throughout East Africa and the Horn. Their limited natural habitat zones, combined with their poor breeding rates in captivity, makes the illegal capture of wild cheetah cubs a serious concern for their survivability as a species.

Southern and eastern Africa currently harbor the largest and most diverse populations of wild cheetahs. Namibia, for example, is home to the largest verifiable wild population—roughly 2,500 cheetahs roaming its open landscapes. Across South Africa as a whole, estimates suggest there may be between 7,000 and 10,000 cheetahs left in the wild. These numbers, while encouraging compared to some regions, still represent a fraction of historical populations and highlight just how vulnerable cheetahs remain to threats like poaching and habitat loss.

What are the main habitats and geographic ranges of cheetahs?

Cheetahs are only found in the wild throughout East Africa and the Horn. Their limited natural habitat zones, combined with their poor breeding rates in captivity, makes the illegal capture of wild cheetah cubs a serious concern for their survivability as a species.

While cheetahs are best known for their preference for bush and savanna woodlands—semi-open, arid landscapes—they are remarkably adaptable, able to endure temperature swings from freezing cold to searing heat. Yet, their range has shrunk dramatically. Today, the largest and most diverse populations are found in southern and eastern Africa, with Namibia home to the largest verifiable wild population—about 2,500 cheetahs. South Africa as a whole supports an estimated 7,000 to 10,000 individuals, but numbers drop off sharply elsewhere: fewer than 100 cheetahs remain in East Africa, less than 2,000 in Sudan, and under 500 in Northeast Africa.

The Asiatic cheetah’s plight is even more dire, with roughly 200 remaining in Iran across provinces like Khorassanand Semnan, and a handful in Isfahan, Yazd, and Kerman. Once present in Egypt and regions like Turkestan, these populations are now presumed extinct.

This patchwork distribution, combined with ongoing threats, leaves wild cheetahs especially vulnerable—making each remaining habitat and every wild-born cub all the more precious.

What is the current conservation status of cheetahs in various countries?

The Cheetah, under the genus Acinonyx, has been classified into five recognized subspecies. These subspecies are:

1. Northwest African cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus hecki)

2. East African cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus fearsoni or A.j. Raineyi)

3. South African cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus jubatus)

4. Northeast African cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus soemmerringi)

5. Asiatic cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus venaticus)

Each of these subspecies faces different levels of threat, with all subspecies listed as vulnerable except the Northwest African and Asiatic cheetah, which are currently classified as critically endangered.

Cheetah Populations by Country

Today, cheetah populations are scattered and often perilously low across their remaining range. Here’s a glimpse at where cheetahs still persist—and where they’ve vanished entirely:

• Largest populations remain in Tanzania (~938), South Africa (~849), Mozambique (~849), Namibia (~849), and Botswana (~849). Kenya still has several hundred (716), but elsewhere numbers quickly drop below 200 per country.

• Critically small populations exist in Ethiopia (123), Chad (109), Central African Republic (109), Zimbabwe(90), Zambia (89), Algeria (88), Mali (88), and Iran (50).

• Edge of extinction: Countries like Western Sahara (250), Somalia (200), Malawi (42), India (33), Angola(24), Morocco (20), Niger (11), Uganda (9), Burkina Faso (8), and Benin (8) support only tiny, fragmented groups.

• Extinct or possibly extinct: Many former cheetah strongholds—including Pakistan, Nigeria, Egypt, Sudan, Iraq, Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, Ghana, Rwanda, and others—no longer have any wild cheetahs.

These numbers are sobering reminders that cheetahs, once roaming across much of Africa, the Middle East, and India, are now confined to isolated pockets, with some populations barely clinging to existence. Their future depends on urgent, coordinated conservation efforts, protecting not just the animals themselves but also the wild spaces they call home.

Cheetah Poaching Hotspots

Cheetahs are only found in the wild throughout East Africa and the Horn. Their limited natural habitat zones, combined with their poor breeding rates in captivity, makes the illegal capture of wild cheetah cubs a serious concern for their survivability as a species. Poaching has been a significant concern in certain regions of Africa, such as East and North Africa, where cheetah populations have been particularly vulnerable.

Illegal Wildlife & Pet Trade

The illegal wildlife trade is also having devastating effects on the cheetah population, as young cubs are taken straight out of their mother's nest to be sold as pets. These poached cubs are often smuggled to far away places and destined for the palaces of royalty and wealthy families in the Middle East and South-East Asia. More than 4,000 wild cheetahs have been documented in the illegal wildlife trade since 2010.

The cubs are transported in small boxes, bins or containers and often do not survive the journey. If the cheetahs do survive, their life in captivity is very short. Cheetahs do not survive well in houses where they eat the wrong diets, live in small cages and have no place to run and roam.

What We’re Doing to Stop Cheetah Poaching

Why Cheetahs are Important

Like other predators, cheetahs maintain the balance of prey and contribute to the overall balance of the ecosystem.

These “apex predators” are at the top of the food chain. If cheetahs are removed from our ecosystem, it has a trophic cascading effect — when removing one animal affects other animals in the same food chain. Removing cheetahs means other animals would be affected – a trophic cascade would occur. There are two reasons why trophic cascades are bad: control of animal populations and negative impacts on biodiversity.

Cheetahs matter. They play a vital role in maintaining the health of their ecosystems, and changes to one can have global effects.

How Can You Help?

• Share their story to build awareness and bring attention to their plight

• Report wildlife crime and support sustainable products

• Hold a local fundraiser in your community to raise funds to help our work

• Adopt a cheetah related cause or project