Protected Areas for Cheetah Conservation

Preservation and protection of land have been common means to achieve species conservation, but could be argued to have limited effectiveness for wide-ranging species, such as the cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus), that live predominantly outside protected areas (PAs). Some regions outside PAs are reported to have higher cheetah densities than PAs because cheetahs can be limited by apex predators on protected land. However, formally protected sites have multifaceted importance for cheetah conservation. With expanding human populations, the importance of national parks, reserves, and conservancies to safeguard cheetahs is increasing. These PAs may serve as population sources for unprotected land, provided management and law enforcement are adequate. An effective PA network will include connectivity in a matrix that does not function as a sink. Additionally, PAs can empower local communities through opportunities for ecotourism development. PAs can also act as important study sites to gather information on “natural” systems. To assist cheetah conservation, financial investment and long-term strategic plans are needed if PAs are to achieve success in their ecological, social, and economic goals.