IUCN / SSC Cat Specialist Group - Digital Cat Library |
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| Schmidt-KĀntzel, A.; Yashphe, S.; Hamalwa, H.; Ismail, S.H.; Tricorache, P.; Brewer, B.; O'Brien, S.J.; Marker, L. | |
| Genetic support to uplist an African cheetah subspecies, _Acinonyx jubatus soemmeringii_, imperiled by illegal trade | |
| 2024 Conservation Science and Practice (6): e13052 | |
There has been a drastic decline in the number of cheetahs in the past century. Illegal pet trade poses a critical threat to the survival of the species and demands more attention. Genetic analysis of 55 cheetahs confiscated in Somaliland shows 100% as _Acinonyx jubatus soemmeringii_, suggesting that illegal trade subjects _A. j. soemmeringii_ to significant pressure. Continued decline of the estimated 260-590 mature individuals qualifies this subspecies as "endangered" versus currently "vulnerable," under criterion C2a(i) of the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List. A population decline of >=80% over the next 10 years or 3 generations would even fulfill criterion A3 of "critically endangered." We urge reclassification of _A. j. soemmeringii_, as endangered, and appeal to the cheetah community to investigate further uplisting to critically endangered to reflect the likely extinction risk exacerbated by the illegal trade. |
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