Abu-Zinada AH, Goriup PD, Nader IA, editors. 1989. Rare and endangered mammals of Saudi ArabiaProceedings of the First Symposium Wildlife Conservation and Development in Saudi Arabia. 87 Feb; Riyadh: National Commission for Wildlife Conservation and Development; 233 p.

Sixteen species of the large Saudi Arabian mammals are either rare or endangered. These include nine carnivores and seven artiodactyls. Two carnivores have become extinct in Saudi Arabian within recent times. The Asiatic lion Panthera leo vanished from Arabia by the middle of the last century and the last Asiatic cheetah Acinonyx jubatus in Saudi Arabia was killed in the early fifties of this century. Among the artiodactyls, the last wild Arabian oryx Oryx leucoryx was killed in 1972, and the dorcas gazelle Gazella dorcas is feared to have vanished from the wild in Saudi Arabia. The main contributing factors to the extinction and the existence of these large mammals seem to be overhunting, overgrazing and habitat destruction. Recommendations to alleviate the situations are given. A Red Data Book for the wildlife of Saudi Arabia is proposed.

Nader_1989_Rare_and_endangered_mammals_of_Saudi_Arabia.pdf

NAPHA.  Cheetah compacts. Report.

Cheetah compacts handed in during January 1995. Listed are member's name, farm name, size in hectares and district.

NAPHA_-_Cheetah_Compacts.pdf

NAPHA.  Compact for the management of cheetah. Report.

Compact for the management of cheetah. The compact comports with Namibia's management plan for the cheetah. It is approved and sanctioned by this government. Tourist hunting of the species is an important component of Namibia's management plan for the species. Such use is well regulated and sustainable. It has been determined to be in the best interest of the species and not detrimental to its survival. The compact enhances the species survival and will be integrated into the management of the species. The species is a valued resource of this country.

NAPHA_-_Compact_for_the_Management_of_Cheetah.pdf

NAPHA. 1995. Extracts from a NAPHA Raspeco meeting. Report.

NAPHA members should get involved in research. The members should assist conservation efforts by inviting the Cheetah Conservation Fund of Africat to their Farmer Association Meetings and assisting farmers with cheetah questions or problems or facilitation their communication with CCF or Africat (acting as a middle person). The indiscriminate catching of cheetahs must stop. The meeting was ended by the NAPHA members being responsible to become very well educated about the cheetah and the issues that affect its survival.

NAPHA_1995_Extracts_from_a_NAPHA-Raspeco_meeting.pdf

NAPHA. 1995. Letter to members. Personal communication.

Thanks for the members to sign the cheetah compact and call to sign for those who didn't already. Some information about precautionary matters like electrical fence, what to do with problem cheetahs and the price for a cheetah trophy.

NAPHA_1995_letter_to_members.pdf

NAPHA-Raspeco.  Cheetah in Namibia - Program for the Enhancement of a Valuable Species Through Sustainable Utilization. Pamphlet.

The Namibian Professional Hunting Association NAPHA works closely with conservationists and researchers in understanding the cheetah and its interactions with the Namibian farmland ecosystem. The pamphlet presents how hunters and farmers contribute to on-going research efforts and basic biological data on cheetahs.

NAPHA-Raspeco_-_Cheetah_in_Namibia.pdf

Natal Parks Board. 1981. Cheetah Introduction 1 p.

Table with cheetah introductions between 1966 and 1981 in Eastern Shores Game Reserve (St. Lucia), HRG/URG Complex, Itala Game Reserve, Mkuzi Game Reserve, Ndumu Game Reserve and St. Lucia - Western Shores. Date, numbers and sexes of the individuals are given.

Natal_Parks_Board_1981_Cheetah_Introduction.pdf

Natal Parks Board. 1994. Re-introduction of cheetah to Hluhluwe Umfolozi Park 9 p.

Cheetahs are indigenous to Natal but were exterminated from the province in the 1930s. They also formerly occurred in Hluhluwe Umfolozi Park but have probably always been rare in Natal. Between 1965 and 1967, 42 cheetah were re-introduced to HUP and to date 64 animals have been re-introduced. As there are several problems with the conservation of cheetahs in HUP, a new strategy for conservation of this species is discussed.

Natal_Parks_Board_1994_Re-introduction_of_cheetah_to_HUP.pdf

National Geographic.  TV show on cheetah. Report.

Film script of a TV show on cheetah by National Geographic. A 16mm Sound Film of 11 minutes in color.

National_Geographic_-_TV_Show_on_Cheetah.pdf

Newby JE. 1984. Large Mammals. In:Cloudsey-Thompson JL, editor. Sahara desert. Oxford: Pergamon Press / IUCN; p 277-290.

Cheetah is extremely rare in the Saharan desert.

Le guépard est extrêmement rare dans le désert du Sahara.

Newby_1984_Sahara_Desert_-_Large mammals.pdf

Newby JE, Grettenberger JF. 1986. The human dimension in natural resource conservation: A sahelian example from Niger. Environmental Conservation 13(3):249-56.

In the heading about livestock predation, the status of the cheetah is noted as particularly precarious with only an estimated 20-30 living in the Aïr and Ténéré National Nature Reserve. Its rarity and its predilection for natural prey leave it largely unmolested.

Dans le paragraphe sur la prédation du bétail, le statut du guépard est noté comme particulièrement précaire avec seulement une estimation de 20 à 30 individus vivant dans la Réserve National Naturel de l'Aïr et du Ténéré. Sa rareté et sa prédilection pour les proies naturelles le laisse en paix.

Newby_&_Grettenberger_1986_Human_dimension_in_conservation.pdf

Ngorongoro Conservation Area. 1967. News in brief. Ngorongoro Conservation Area Bulletin:2-9.

News about wildlife. Short report on recently seen cheetahs.

Ngorongoro_Conservation_Area_1967_News_in_brief.pdf

Nilsson G. 2005. Persecution and Hunting: Wild Cats. In:Animal Welfare Institute, editor. p 1-4.

Cheetahs in Africa underwent a dramatic decline in the 1960s when spotted cat fur became fashionable. US Imports were stopped when the species was listed on the US Endangered Species Act in the late 1960s, and commercial international trade became illegal when Cheetahs were included on Appendix I of CITES in the early 1970s. Their populations are distributed so sparsely that even a kill of a few thousand in each country endangered them. In Namibia cattle rangers trap, shoot and poison the Cheetahs and fence off large sections from native wildlife. American Conservationist  Laurie Marker co-founded the Cheetah Conservation Fund in 1990 and so changed many ranchers from Cheetah haters to Cheetah protectors. To guard cattle herds Marker introduced donkeys and baboons. Many rangers have been convinced to use box traps to capture Cheetahs unharmed. Marker ear-tags the animals and returns them to local protected areas. Translocation adult Namibian Cheetahs to South African Reserves where they had become extinct has been very successful. But besides all these protective efforts, the 2,500 Namibian cheetahs will be extinct within a decade if the present rate of cheetah killing by ranchers does not decline drastically. Lions, too,  have continued to decrease in Africa, south of the Sahara, mainly by livestock raisers' persecution. Endangered Leopards and Snow Leopards are further topics in this chapter.

Nilsson_2005_Persecution_and_hunting_-_Wild_cats.pdf

Nirmalkumarshinhji. 1986. Cheetah hunting - A royal sport. Zoo's Print:15-16.

The training of a Cheetah is a highly specialized art. It would take not less than six months before he is fully trained. He is taught only to go after the male Indian antelope. Two hunting methods are described, carry the cheetah in a cart or releasing at a distance depending mostly on the natural cover, grass or shrubs to enable him to stand the game. When the cheetah has caught his prey death does not follow immediately, a merciful knife stroke is performed.

Nirmalkumarsinhji_1986_Cheetah_Hunting_A_royal_sport.pdf

Norris T. 1975. Is this the beginning of the end. Africana:5,i-ii.

Story about the cheetah Patience who left her five cubs alone and disappeared. Some time later the cubs were found close to another mother cheetah Mystery with four cubs - a daughter of Patience - who adopted the five other cubs. Then she came back and took care of her cubs as usual. The odd thing is that Mystery has now disappeared taking her four youngsters with her.

Norris_1975_Is_this_the_Beginning_of_the_End.pdf

Nowell K, Jackson P. 1996. Sub-Saharan Africa, Cheetah. In Nowell K, Jackson P, editors. Wild cats: Status survey and conservation action plan. Gland, Switzerland: IUCN/SSC Cat Specialist Group; p 12-16.

The book chapter describes behavior, biology, habitat, distribution, population and protection status, vulnerability in protected areas and livestock predation of the cheetah in sub-Saharian Africa.

Nowell_&_Jackson_1996_Wild_cats_ sub-Sahara_-_Cheetah.pdf

Nowell K, Jackson P. 1996. North Africa and Southwest Asia, Cheetah. In Nowell K, Jackson P, editors. Wild cats: Status survey and conservation action plan. Gland, Switzerland: IUCN/SSC Cat Specialist Group; p 41-44.

The book chapter describes the cheetah's behaviour, habitat, past and present distribution, population and protection status in North Africa and Southwest Asia and the principal threats for this endangered species.

Nowell_&_Jackson_1996_Cheetah_ N-Africa_and_SW-Asia.pdf

The purpose of the Namibian Cheetah Conservation Strategy is to provide a policy framework for the Ministry of Environment and Tourism's approach to cheetah conservation. MET has drawn up several conservation strategies and management plans for individual species, including the elephant and black rhino. Although the Ministry does not believe the cheetah to be in imminent danger of extinction and therefore not requiring any urgent recovery effort, it was thought advisable to develop a MET strategy for cheetah conservation.

Nowell_1996_Namibia_cheetah_conservation_strategy.pdf

Nowell K. 1997. Namibia's cheetah conservation strategy. Cat News:26,12-14.

The Namibian Ministry of Environment and Tourism (MET) recently commissioned the drafting of a national conservation strategy for cheetahs. The strategy was adopted in late 1996 and already several of its key recommendations have been put into action. Namibia is one of very few countries to have a national conservation strategy for a big cat species, and to have a high ranking government post devoted to predator conservation. Namibia is believed to hold one of the largest national population of cheetah, which is highly significant for one of the world's more endangered big cats. MET wants to ensure that this population is viable and effectively conserved.

Nowell_1997_Namibias_Cheetah_Conservation_Strategy_CatNews_26.pdf

Nowell K. 2002. Revision of the Felidae Red List of threatened species. Cat News 3, 4-7.

The original system of evaluating species status, in use up to 1994, classified species as Extinct, Endangered, Vulnerable, Rare, Indeterminate of Insufficiently Known. These category definitions were largely subjective. By the 1980s it was becoming evident that a more objective and quantitative method of comparing species' extinction risk was needed.

Nowell_2002_Revision_of_the_Felidae_Red_List_CatNews37.pdf

O'Brien SJ, Goldman D, Merril CR, Bush ME. 1983. The cheetah is depauperate in genetic variation.
Science 221, 459-462.

A sample of 55 South African cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus jubatus) from two geographically isolated populations in South Africa were found to be genetically monomorphic at each of 47 allozyme (allelic isozyme) loci. Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis of about 155 abundant soluble proteins from cheetah fibroblasts also revealed a low frequency of polymorphism (average heterozygosity, 0.013). Both estimates are dramatically lower than levels of variation reported in other cats and mammals in general. The extreme monomorphism may be a consequence of a demographic contraction of the cheetah (a population bottleneck) in association with a reduced rate of increase in the recent natural history of this endangered species.

OBrien_1983_Cheetah_is_depauperate_in_genetic_variation.pdf

O'Brien SJ, Roelke ME, Marker L, Newman A, Winkler CA, Meltzer DG, Colly L, Evermann JF, Bush ME, Wildt DE. 1985. Genetic basis for species vulnerability in the cheetah. Science 227, 1428-1434.

A population genetic survey of over 200 structural loci previously revealed that the South African cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus jubatus) has an extreme paucity of genetic variability, probably as a consequence of a severe population bottleneck in its recent past. The genetic monomorphism of the species is here extended to the major histocompatibility complex, since 14 reciprocal skin grafts between unrelated cheetahs were accepted. The apparent consequences of such genetic uniformity to the species include (i) great difficulty in captive breeding, (ii) a high degree of juvenile mortality in captivity and in the wild, and (iii) a high frequency of spermatozoal abnormities in ejaculates. The species vulnerability of the cheetah was demonstrated by an epizootic of coronavirus-associated feline infectious peritonitis in an Oregon breeding colony in 1983. Exposure and spread of the coronavirus, which has a very low morbidity in domestic cats (approximately 1 percent), has decimated a heretofore productive and healthy captive population. The extreme genetic monomorphism, especially at the major histocompatibility complex, and the apparent hypersensitivity of the cheetah to viral pathogen may be related, and provide a biological basis for understanding the adaptive significance of abundant genetic variation on outbred mammalian species.

OBrien_1985_Genetic_basis_for_species_vulnerability_in_the_cheetah.pdf

O'Brien SJ, Jackson P. 1985. Exchange of letters about the reintroduction of cheetahs in India.

Exchange of letters about the reintroduction of cheetahs in India. Jackson question if reintroduction of cheetah in India is a good idea. His feeling is that there should be done more research including on specimens from Iranian cheetah. O'Brien answers that the bottleneck which produces the monomorphic cheetah was an ancient one which probably preceded the modern subspecies isolation. His conclusion is that there is no genetic reason to preclude use of African cheetahs for introduction in Asia.

OBrien_&_Jackson_1985_Exchange_of_letters_about_the_reintroducion_of_cheetahs_in_India.pdf

O'Brien SJ, Wildt DE, Bush ME. 1986. The cheetah in genetic peril. Scientific American 254(May):84-92.

Our investigations into the causes of the cheetah's decline began in 1981, after Frank Brand, director of the National Zoological Gardens of South Africa, invited us, as representatives of the U.S. National Zoological Park, to cooperate in studying a seemingly narrow problem: why was it difficult to breed cheetahs in captivity? The analysis of 40 semen samples from cheetahs of Namibia and South Africa revealed that the concentration, motility and quality of sperm was significantly lower than usually seen in domestic cats. Two electrophoresis analysis of 52 and 155 proteins found no polymorphism in the first experiment and a frequency of only 3 percent of polymorphism in the second one. These results were confirmed by additional evidences. First, the skulls of the cheetah displayed a higher level of asymmetry than the skulls of three other cat species. Second, all skin graft exchanged between cheetahs individuals were accepted and were indistinguishable from the autographs of the 10-to-12-day period, indicating the monomorphism at the Major Histocompatibility Complex. The cheetah's genetic uniformity is certainly dangerous for the species, but we think it should not be interpreted as a death sentence.

OBrien_et_al_1986_Cheetah_in_genetic_peril.pdf

O'Brien SJ, Wildt DE, Bush ME, Caro TM, FitzGibbon CD, Aggundey I, Leakey RE. 1987. East African cheetahs: Evidence for two population bottlenecks? Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 84:508-11.

A combined population genetic and reproductive analysis was undertaken to compare free-ranging cheetahs from East Africa (Acinonyx jubalus raineyi) with the genetically impoverished and reproductively impaired South African subspecies (Acinonyx jubatus jubatus). Like that of their South African counterparts, the quality of semen specimens from fast African cheetahs was poor, with a low concentration of spermatozoa (25.3 x 10 exp 6 per ejaculate) and a high incidence of morphological abnormalities (79%). From a n electrophoretic survey of the products of 49 genetic loci in A. jubatus raineyi, two allozyme polymorphism (2-4%) and average heterozygosity (0.0004-0.014) affirm the cheetah as the least genetically variable felid species. The genetic distance between South and East African cheetahs was low (0.004), suggesting that the development of genetic uniformity preceded the recent geographic isolation of the subspecies. The authors assume that at least two population bottlenecks followed by inbreeding produced the modern cheetah species. The first and most extreme was ancient, possibly late Pleistocene (circa 10,000 years ago); the second was more recent (within the last century and led to the South African populations.

OBrien_et_al_1987_Population_bottlenecks_in_east_African_cheetahs.pdf

O'Brien JS, Troyer JL, Roelke M, Maker L, Pecon-Slattery J. 2006. Plagues and adaptation: lessons from the Felidae models for SARS and AIDS. Biol. Conserv. 131, 255-267.

Research studies of infectious disease outbreaks in wild species of the cat family Felidae have revealed unusual details regarding forces that shape population survival and genetic resistance in these species. A highly virulent feline coronavirus epidemic in African cheetahs, a disease model for human SARS, illustrates the critical role of ancestral population genetic variation. Widespread prevalence of species specific feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), a relative of HIV-AIDS, occurs with little pathogenesis in felid species, except in domestic cats, suggesting immunological adaptation in species where FIV is endemic. Resolving the interaction of host and pathogen genomes can shed new light on the process of disease outbreak in wildlife and in humankind. The role of disease in endangered populations and species is difficult to access as opportunities to monitor outbreaks in natural populations are limited. Conservation management may benefit greatly from advances in molecular genetic tools developed for human biomedical research to assay the biodiversity of both host species and emerging pathogen. As these examples illustrate, strong parallels exist between disease in human and endangered wildlife and argue for an integration of the research fields of comparative genomics, infectious disease, epidemiology, molecular genetics and population biology for an effective proactive conservation approach.

OBrien_et_al_2006_Lessons_from_Felidae_models_for_SARS_and_Aids

O'Brien SJ. 1991. The genetic peril of the cheetah. In:Seidensticker J, Lumpkin S., editors. Great Cats: Majestic Creatures of the Wild. Sydney: Weldon Owen; p 146-147.

The cheetah is descended from a handful of survivors of a global extinction that occurred at the end of the last Ice Age, more than 10'000 years ago. They have 10-100 times less variation in their intrinsic genetic material. The species as a whole is suffering from the effects of what we call inbreeding depression. This causes an increase in the incidence of two unhealthy genes in the same individual. This causes the entire species to be susceptible to infectious disease agents, viruses or pathogens, which periodically evolve. But the cheetah has survived and even increased to tens of thousands since its ancestors passed through the ancient population bottleneck. The cheetah's future may be in our hands. The only long-term prospects for survival are in areas with effective protection against shooting, hunting and also high densities of predators.

OBrien_1991_The_genetic_peril_of_the_cheetah.pdf

O'Brien SJ. 1992. Comments on delisting cheetah. Unpublished work.

The distinction between populations or subspecies of cheetahs throughout their range is very difficult. The molecular differences between East African and South African cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus raineyi and A. j. jubatus, respectively) are very slight. Using molecular genetic workers, these two subspecies are 10 times closer to each other than are recognized human racial groups. Other comments on delisting cheetah are proposed by the author.

OBrien_1992_Comments_on_delisting_cheetah.pdf

O'Brien SJ. 1994. The cheetah's conservation controversy. Conservation Biology 8(4):1153-5.

In 1994 Merola reviewed the results that have been collected over the last decade relative to the population genetic structure of the African cheetah and the implications for survival. Synthesizing the data in a critical manner, this work brought into question the relevance of previous observations that the cheetah has a remarkably reduced complement of genomic variation and is suffering a physiological fitness cost as a consequence. To respond to these criticisms O'Brien discusses in this article the major points of disagreement.

OBrien_1994_Cheetah_conservation_controversy.pdf

O'Brien SJ. 1994. A role for molecular genetics in biological conservation. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 91:5748-55.

The recognition of recent accelerated depletion of species as a consequence of human industrial development has spawned a wide interest in identifying threats to endangered species. In addition to ecological and demographic perils, it has become clear that small populations that narrowly survive demographic contraction may undergo close inbreeding genetic drift, and loss of overall genomic variation due to allelic loss or reduction to homozygosity. I review here the consequences of such genetic depletion revealed by applying molecular population genetic analysis to four endangered mammals: African cheetah, lion, Florida panther, and humpback whale. The accumulated genetic results, combined with physiological, ecological, and ethological data, provide a multifaceted perspective of the process of species diminution. An emerging role of population genetics, phylogenetics, and phylogeography as indicators of a population's natural history and its future prognosis provides valuable data of use in the development of conservation management plans for endangered species.

OBrien_1994_A_role_for_molecular_genetics_in_conservation.pdf

O'Brien SJ. 1994. Genetic and phylogenetic analyses of endangered species. Annual Review of Genetics 28:467-89.

Several reviews have chronicled the application of genetic principles to conservation management and summarized the state of genetic data on the few studied species. The goal here is to review some lessons learned by applying empirical population genetic approaches to define the factors that imperil fragile populations. Both the limitations of the inference and the conclusions reached as a community of conservation scientists are summarized. Several examples will illustrate the synthesis of genetic interpretation with demographic, ecological, and life-history data to draw a cohesive picture of the threatened taxon. Most of the examples are endangered large charismatic carnivore species selected for two reasons. First, large carnivore species occupy the top position of a trophic chain for their ecosystem. They are often highly specialized and provide a sensitive barometer of an ecosystem's condition. Second, charismatic species attract long-term field studies that lay the groundwork for formulating falsifiable ecological and life-history hypotheses. On of the presented examples is the cheetah.

OBrien_1994_Genetic_and_phylogenetic_analyses_of_endangered_species.pdf

O'Brien TG, Sanderson EW. 2002. Report to I.R. Iran Department of Environment, Wildlife Conservation Society and UNDP on Conservation of Asiatic Cheetah Project GEF 33 p.

This report deals with the two objectives of the mission (21 May - 7 June 2002) in the I.R. of  Iran: the one by Eric Sanderson was to work with DOE GIS/RS lab to develop a cheetah and a GIS database for the five study sites: Kavir; Khar-Touran, Naibandan, DarAnjeer and Bafq; the other by Tim O'Brien was to work with DOE to develop a sampling strategy for surveying cheetah, jabeer, Persian goat and orial sheep population.

OBrien_&_Sanderson_2002_Conservation_of_Asiatic_cheetah.pdf

Four 3 mo old cheetah littermates were dewormed with levamisole hydrochloride according to the regular deworming regimen of the Peaugres Zoo . Levamisole was administered subcutaneously at a dosage of 5 mg/kg. Shortly after the injection, all four cubs showed severe respiratory distress and seizures, and died within twenty minutes despite attempts at resuscitation.

Oevermann_et_al_2004_Presumed_levamisole_intoxination_in_four_cheetah_cubs.pdf

O'Regan HJ. 2002. Defining cheetahs, a multivariante analysis of skull shape in big cats. Mammal Review 32(1):58-62.

The study has used a multivariate analysis of morphometric data to define and attempt to explain the differences and similarities between Acinonyx and Panthera. Despite being a highly specialized cat, the cheetah still follows the generalized large felid form in 21 out of 34 variables analyzed. The dental differences seen are adaptations to capturing and killing prey that have occurred in the genus Acinonyx alone. In addition, the cheetah retained some cranial features of the smaller cats, despite increasing its overall size. In view of this, it is not so much that cheetahs have altered that is surprising, but how apparently conservative the feline cranial shape has been over the last few million years.

OReagan_2002_Defining_cheetahs.pdf

O Mopsan LK. 1998. 1996 International Cheetah Studbook - an updated status report Washington D.C.: Marker-Kraus, L. (ed), NOAHS Centre, National Zoological Park, Smithsonian Institution.

This article updates of the cheetah status in 1996. In Africa, the cheetah is present in Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, and Western Sahara. The cheetah is extinct in Guinea, Morocco, Togo and Tunisia. In Asia, the cheetah is present in India. It is probably extinct in Turkmenistan. It is extinct in Iraq, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tajikistan, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan and Yemen. It is extinct in Russia.

Cet article met à jour le statut du guépard en 1996. En Afrique, le guépard est présent au Cameroun, en République Centrafrique, au Tchad, en République Démocratique du Congo, en Egypte, en Libye, au Mali, en Mauritanie et à l'ouest du Sahara. Le guépard est éteint en Guinée, au Maroc, au Togo et en Tunisie. En Asie, le guépard est présent en Inde. Il est probablement éteint au Turkménistan. Il est éteint en Irak, en Jordanie, au Kazakhstan, au Kirghizstan, au Koweït, en Oman, au Qatar, en Arabie Saoudite, en Syrie, au Tadjikistan, aux Emirats Arabes Unis, en Ouzbékistan et au Yémen. Il est éteint en Russie.

OMopsan_1998_The_status_of_the_cheetah_-_an_update.pdf

Ogada MO, Woodroffe R, Oguge NO, Frank LG. 2003. Limiting depredation by African carnivores: the role of livestock husbandry. Conservation Biology 17(6):1521-30.

Most large carnivores species are in global decline. Conflict with local people, particularly over depredation on livestock, is a major cause of this decline, affecting both nominally protected populations and those outside protected areas. For this reason, techniques that can resolve conflicts between large carnivores and livestock farmers may make important contributions to conservation. We monitored rates of livestock depredation by lions (Panthera leo), leopards (Panthera pardus), cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus), and spotted hyenas (Crocuta crocuta), and retributive killing of these species by farmers in livestock-producing areas of Laikipia District, Kenya. Farmers killed more lions, leopards and spotted hyenas where these predators killed more livestock. Livestock husbandry had a clear effect on rates of depredation and hence on the number of predator killed. Cattle, sheep, and goats experienced the lowest predation rates when attentively herded by day and enclosed in traditional corrals (bomas) by night. Construction of the boma, the presence of watchdogs, and high levels of human activity around the boma were all associated with lower losses to predators. Although most of this work was carried out on commercial ranches, local Maasai and Samburu pastoralists have practiced nearly identical forms of husbandry for generations. Our study shows that traditional, low-tech husbandry approaches can make an important contribution to the conservation of large carnivores.

Ogada_et_al_2003_Limiting_depredation_by_African_carnivores.pdf

Ognev SI. 1962. Mammals of USSR and adjacent countries - Cheetah. Washington D.C.: Israel Program for Scientific Translations. 265 p.

This book chapter describes the morphology and the distribution of the cheetah in the former URRS and adjacent countries. A description of the Transcaspian cheetah is given. In 1934, Flerov compared the skull structure of the Transcaspian cheetah with the African one and described the differences. Some reports from the Turkestan region, between 1852 and 1932, are also listed.

Ognev_1962_Mammals_of_USSR_Cheetah.pdf

Accurate estimates of demographic parameters are key for understanding and predicting population dynamics and for providing insights for effective wildlife management. Up until recently, no suitable methodology has been available to estimate survival probabilities of species with asynchronous reproduction and a high level of individual variation in capture probabilities. The present work develops a capture-mark-recapture model for cheetahs in the Serengeti National Park, Tanzania, which (a) deals with continuous reproduction, (b) takes into account the high level of individual heterogeneity in capture probabilities and (c) is spatially explicit. Results show that (1) our approach, which is an extensive modification of the Cormack-Jolly-Seber model, provides a lower female adult survival estimate and a higher male adolescent survival estimate than previous approaches to estimate cheetah survival in the area, (2) using sighting location alone is not sufficient to capture the individual variation in resighting probabilities for both sexes, and (3) precision in estimated survival probabilities is generally increased. Species which are individually recognizable, wide-ranging and/or where individuals differ substantially in sightability are particularly appropriate to our modelling approach, and our methodology would thus be appropriate for a wide number of species to provide more accurate estimates of survival.

Oliver_et_al_2011_Recapture_probability_and_survival_in_cheetah.pdf

Olmsted RA, Langley R, Roelke ME, Goeken RM, Adger-Johnson D, Goff JP, Albert JP, Packer C, Laurenson MK, Caro TM, Scheepers L, Wildt DE, Bush M, Martenson JS, O'Brien SJ. 1992. Worldwide prevalence of lentivirus infection in wild feline species: Epidemologic and phylogenetic aspects. Journal of Virology 66(10):6008-18.

The natural occurrence of lentiviruses closely related to feline immunodeficiency virus (FlV) in nondomestic felid species is shown here to be worldwide. Cross-reactive antibodies to FIV were common in several free-ranging populations of large cats, including East African lions and cheetahs of the Serengeti ecosystem and in puma (also called cougar or mountain lion) populations throughout North America. Infectious puma lentivirus (PLV) was isolated from several Florida panthers, a severely endangered relict puma subspecies inhabiting the Big Cypress Swamp and Everglades ecosystems in southern Florida. Phylogenetic analysis of PLV genomic sequences from disparate geographic isolates revealed appreciable divergence from domestic cat FIV sequences as well as between PLV sequences found in different North American locales. The level of sequence divergence between PL V and FIV was greater than the level of divergence between human and certain simian immunodeficiency viruses, suggesting that the transmission of FIV between feline species is infrequent and parallels in time the emergence of HIV from simian ancestors.

Olmsted_et_al_1992_Worldwide_prevalence_of_feline_lentivirus_infection.pdf

Osborn DJ, Helmy I. 1980. Felidae. In: The contemporary land mammals of Egypt (including Sinai). 5 ed. p 455-459.

The general description of the cheetah, its world distribution and a more detailed distribution in Egypt with a map and data source are given. External, cranial characters and teeth based on four specimens examined are described, with a short description of its habitat, habits and food.

La description générale du guépard, sa distribution mondiale et une distribution plus détaillée en Egypte avec une carte et la source des données sont présentées. Les caractéristiques externes et crâniennes et la dentition basées sur l'analyse de 4 spécimens examinés sont décrites, avec une courte description de son habitat, de ses mœurs et de son régime alimentaire.

Osborn_&_Helmy_1980_Contemporary_mammals_of_Egypt_-_Felidae.pdf

Osborn DJ, Osbornova J. 1998. Cheetah. In:Osborn DJ, Osbornova J, editors. The mammals of ancient Egypt. Warminster, England: Aris & Phillips Ltd.; p 121-123.

The general description of the cheetah, its world distribution and a more detailed distribution in Egypt with a map and data source are given. External, cranial characters and teeth based on four specimens examined are described, with a short description of its habitat, habits and food.

La description générale du guépard, sa distribution mondiale et une distribution plus détaillée en Egypte avec une carte et la source des données sont données. Les caractéristiques externes et crâniennes et la dentition basées sur l'analyse de 4 spécimens examinés sont décrites, avec une courte description de son habitat, de ses mœurs et de son régime alimentaire.

Osborn_&_Osbornova_1998_The_mammals_of_ancient_Egyptian_-_Cheetah.pdf

Osofsky,S.A.1994. Serologic evaluation of free-ranging lions, leopards and cheetahs for feline lentivirus and feline leukemia virus in Botswana. Annual Conference of the American Associationof Zoo Veterinarians and Association of Reptilian and Amphibian Veterinarians; 399 p.

None of the cats tested demonstrated evidence of feline leukemia infection. Significant evidence of lentivirus exposure, which was defined as a positive result on at least the cougar lentivirus western immunoblot, was found in cats of all three species: eight of 31 sampled lions, three of 18 leopard and one of four cheetahs demonstrated evidence of exposure to a feline lentivirus. In domestic cats FIV seropositivity is strongly correlated with FIV infection. Exposed cats were found in geographically diverse parts of the country.

Osofsky_et_al_1994_Serologic_Evaluation_for_Feline_Lentivirus_and_Feline_Leukemia_Virus.pdf

Osofsky SA, Hirsch KJ, Zuckerman EE, Hardy WDjr. 1996. Feline lentivirus and feline oncovirus status of free-ranging lions (Panthera leo), leopards (Panthera pardus), and cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) in Botswana: a regional perspective. Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine 27(4):453-67.

Osofsky_et_al_1996_Botswana_lion_leopard_cheetah_FIV_-_FEL_V.pdf

Osofsky SA, Hirsch KJ, Zuckerman EE, Hardy WD. 1997. Lentivirus Infection in Lions, Leopards and Cheetahs in Botswana. Cat News, 27:25-25.

In this study evidence of current lentivirus infection has been found in lions, leopards and cheetahs in geographically diverse parts of Botswana.

Osofsky_et_al_1997_Lentivirus_Infection_in_Botswana_Cats_CatNews_27.pdf

Osthoff G, Hugo A, Wit M. 2006. The composition of cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) milk. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology 145, 265-269.

Milk was obtained from two captive bred cheetahs. The nutrient content was 99.6 g protein; 64.8 g fat; and 40.21 g lactose per kg milk. Small amounts of oligosaccharides, glucose, galactose and fucose were noted. The protein fraction respectively consisted of 34.2 g caseins per kg milk and of 65.3 g whey proteins per kg milk. Very little variation in milk composition among the individual cheetahs was noted. Electrophoresis and identification of protein bands showed a similar migrating sequence of proteins as seen in lion's and cat's milk, with small differences in the â-caseins. The lipid fraction contains 290.4 g saturated and 337.3 g mono-unsaturated fatty acids per kg milk fat respectively. The high content of 279.5 g kg-1 milk fat of polyunsaturated fatty acids is due to a high content in á-linolenic acid. No short chain fatty acids, but substantial levels of uneven carbon chain fatty acids were observed.

Osthoff_et_al_2006_Milk_composition_in_cheetah.pdf