Scientists warn that cheetahs and other large carnivores are on the verge of extinction because of human activity.
In addition to spotted mammals, wild canines and hyenas are also threatened with extinction due to habitat degradation, human persecution, and diminished prey.
The focus on lions, leopards, and other top predators has obscured the animals’ predicament, according to researchers from the University of Oxford, and countries such as South Africa, Kenya, and northern western and central Africa are underrepresented.
Specifically, there are no published estimates for 26 nations, including Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Sudan, and Chad.
According to scientists, identifying information gaps will improve conservation efforts by guiding funds, investments, and priorities.
Dr. Paolo Strampelli of the University of Oxford, the study’s lead author, stated: ‘Research effort is considerably biased towards lions and against striped hyenas, despite the latter species having the largest continental distribution.
“African wild dogs likewise displayed a negative bias in study focus, but this can be partially attributed to their restricted range.”
The environment of the African savannah is a tropical grassland with year-round mild temperatures and seasonal rains.
The savannah is the largest biome in southern Africa, encompassing 46 percent of the region, and is comprised of grasses and small or scattered trees.
It includes Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Togo, Benin, Nigeria, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Sudan, Ethiopia, Somalia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Angola, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Botswana, and South Africa.
Scientists estimate that there are less than 8,000 African cheetahs in Africa.
Scientists are unable to determine the population of the savannah due to a lack of observation, although it is likely fewer than half.
According to 2016 data, the population was approximately 2,000, and 90 percent reside in protected areas.
Strampelli stated, “Our findings demonstrate the urgent need for more cheetah population assessments, particularly in northern, western, and central Africa.”
Due to the size of their respective countries, Chad and Ethiopia’s research should be prioritized.
In Africa, there are more than 100,000 hyenas, whereas, in the savannah, the population is significantly reduced.
However, wild canines are the most affected, with an estimated 70 adults remaining in the wild.
The study published in PeerJ is the first of its sort; it is based on a systematic analysis of demographic assessments conducted over the previous two decades.
The international team discovered that monitoring of biodiversity may not be evenly dispersed or occurring where it is most necessary.
Computer models demonstrated that assessments were biased in favor of South Africa and Kenya. Northern, western, and central Africa have insufficient representation.
The majority of research has been conducted in government-managed tourism zones, while non-protected and trophy-hunting locations have gotten less attention.
According to scientists, reducing biases will assist ensure that all species and regions of conservation value have an appropriate information foundation, potentially improving their outlook.
Strampelli and his colleagues urged sponsors and international researchers to maximize the participation of local scientists, students, and practitioners in future evaluations.
These include the provision of funding, equipment, and training. Donors and funders should encourage initiatives in places and species that have been understudied.
This will guarantee that conservation occurs where it is most necessary. The population of striped hyenas must be assessed.
Further population evaluations of African wild dogs are important, especially given the species’ precarious status.
Such efforts are particularly necessary for countries deemed crucial for the species.
In several nations, such as Botswana and Tanzania, no recent assessments have been conducted.
Strampelli stated that more cheetah population assessments are urgently required, particularly in northern, western, and central Africa.
Due to the size of Chad and Ethiopia, research in these countries should be a particular focus.
As with the African wild dog, it is proposed to develop and standardize cheetah population monitoring methodologies, including the exploration of citizen-science-based initiatives.
