A Review of Population Viability Analysis and its use in Cheetah Conservation

Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) populations are subjected to a variety of complex, interacting anthropogenic and natural pressures. Understanding the causes of population decline is essential for being able to develop management strategies aimed at arresting the decline or reversing negative trends. Population viability analysis (PVA) uses computer modeling to infer population trajectories, allowing estimation of extinction probabilities, identification of factors contributing to declines, and exploration of relative impacts of different management strategies. We present core parameters used in previous PVAs (using Vortex software) for cheetah populations. The accuracy and value of population projections will benefit from further empirical investigation of parameter values that characterize the current status and threats. However, our succinct review of PVA applications to cheetah conservation identifies that adult female survival and connectivity are some of the most important factors for population persistence and highlights the urgency of conservation action, particularly fostering cheetah–human coexistence.