The incredible speed and natural grace of cheetahs make them some of the most popular and recognisable animals in the animal kingdom. However, there are less than 13,000 cheetahs left in the world, largely due to: human encroachment, climate change, roads, destruction of habitat, agricultural cultivation, and poaching. Of the dozen or so African countries where cheetahs are found, Namibia has the most (around 3,500), which means that they are also under the greatest threat. Therefore, the importance of a cheetah sanctuary in Namibia is obvious.
Many cheetahs that are rescued or raised in a sanctuary are injured, crippled, ill, or too infirm to survive for long in the wild. This makes them easy pickings for poachers and predators if they are even able to stay alive that long. With modern, industrial development spreading across Africa, more and more cheetah habitats are being infringed upon, while larger issues like global warming continue to threaten food sources and the natural balance of African wildlife. At the beginning of the 20th century, there were an estimated 100,000 cheetahs in the wild; nearly 90% of that population is now gone.
Cheetah sanctuaries are therefore crucial to the survival of the species as these numbers continue to dwindle. It’s hard to imagine a world without cheetahs, yet certain types or subspecies could quietly slip into extinction in the near future. Working at a sanctuary can be your way of directly helping these incredible animals. You will get the chance to learn about these cheetahs, monitor their behaviours, work within their habitat, and maybe even feed them! The experience provides a great deal of insight into the fragility of this legendary species, and will remind you why sanctuary and rehabilitation efforts are so important. Click here if you want to learn more about how you can get involved at a cheetah sanctuary in Namibia.
