New Research Shows Alarming Trend in Online Trade of Cheetahs, Threatening the Species’ Survival
A recent study conducted by TRAFFIC, an international wildlife trade monitoring network, has revealed a significant increase in the online trade of cheetahs. According to the research, approximately 70% of the illegal trade in this iconic big cat is taking place on social media platforms. This growing trend is putting further pressure on the already at-risk species, and experts are calling for immediate action to be taken against those involved in the illegal trade.
The study, conducted in collaboration with other wildlife conservation organizations, highlights the various threats faced by cheetahs in the wild, including climate change, habitat loss, and human-wildlife conflict. With their adult speeds of up to 70mph/120kph, cheetahs are highly sought after as exotic pets, and it is the slower cubs that are being illegally captured and sold online.
The report reveals that there are only an estimated 6,500 adult cheetahs left in the wild, with the species now only found in 9% of their historical range. Classified as Vulnerable to extinction on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species and listed as a CITES Appendix I species, the international commercial trade in cheetahs is strictly prohibited.
Oliver Wright, Project Support Officer at TRAFFIC, expressed concern over the growing online trade in cheetahs, stating, “Cheetahs already face multiple threats to their survival in the wild, and it is particularly concerning that an emerging online trade may place further pressure on their populations.”
The research uncovered over 200 unique URLs related to the illegal trade in live cheetahs over a six-month period, with 70% of these URLs found on social media platforms. The report also highlights the efforts made by traders to remain anonymous, using multiple user profiles and avoiding any language that could incriminate them.
Of even greater concern is the fact that 64% of the URLs surveyed also advertised other illegal exotic pets, including other big cats, reptiles, birds, and primates. This highlights the urgent need for comprehensive measures to combat the broader issue of wildlife trafficking.
The report also reveals the top five countries with URLs flaunting cheetahs as pets – the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, South Africa, and the United States. It also uncovers discrepancies between TRAFFIC’s research and CITES Trade data, suggesting illegal imports or unregulated captive breeding in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Yemen.
The release of this report follows the First Global Cheetah Summit held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in January 2024, where experts from the global cheetah conservation community discussed solutions to the online trafficking issue. TRAFFIC staff presented their research at the summit, stimulating important discussions on how to safeguard wild cheetah populations.
Oliver Wright concludes, “The Global Cheetah Summit was a great opportunity to showcase this important research and discuss solutions to the online cheetah trafficking issue with experts from around the world.”
