Loss of Habitat

A principle concern raised by ecologists is that droughts and human population increases have caused decreases in cheetah habitat and food availability. New agricultural practices have also decreased wildlife habitat. Hunters, using vehicles for and high powered rifles, have also reduced the number of ungulates that are preyed upon by cheetahs and other large cats. There is no question that these factors can lead to species decline, but there are few data to support the hypothesis that species decline on a continent-wide scale are due to loss of habitat per se. Remember that cheetahs have lived with humans for thousands of years.