Cheetah Population declining

The Acinonyx jubatus or more commonly known as the

Cheetah is the last living member of its genus which there are 4 or 5 extinct members.
The Cheetah inhabits most of Africa and parts of the Middle East and is mostly known for being the quickest land animal being able to run up to 500m (1,600 ft) as fast as 112 - 120 km/h (70 - 75 mph).
The Cheetah is more than your next athlete for the 100 meter dash though it's hunting tactics are so brilliant it can even anticipate the escape tactics of its prey.
This beautiful creatures numbers are rapidly diminishing at the end of the 19th century, there were roughly 100,000. Today there are about 9,000 - 12,000 left mainly in Southern Africa. They were first put on IUCN's Vulnerable list in 1986 but numbers continue to drop due to habitat loss, killing and capture for livestock depredators, as well as trade.

Photo Credit: Chris Johns, of NatGeo

To learn more about Cheetahs and the IUNC red list of threatened species visit
www.iuncredlist.org/details/219/0