Wild Cam: Tracking Cheetah Survival in Zambia

 

In the vast savannas of Zambia’s Kafue National Park, researchers are using advanced tracking technology and on-the-ground monitoring to understand how cheetahs are faring in one of Africa’s most challenging wildlife landscapes. The project, part of a long-term effort with the Zambian Carnivore Programme, combines GPS collars, ground tracking, and citizen science to provide a clearer picture of cheetah survival, reproduction, and the threats they face in the wild.

Cheetahs are among Africa’s most iconic yet vulnerable big cats, requiring large territories, abundant prey, and minimal human interference to thrive. In Zambia, however, these conditions are increasingly under pressure. Poaching—often through snares set for bushmeat species—remains a persistent danger.

In one notable incident, researchers monitoring a collared cheetah discovered its uncollared brother trapped in an illegal snare. With no veterinarian immediately available in the remote area, the team had to wait nearly a full day before the snare could be removed, ultimately saving the animal’s life.

Field teams spend months at a time living in bush camps to locate and photograph cheetahs. These images are critical, as individual spot patterns act like fingerprints, allowing researchers to identify animals and track their survival and movements over time. Between 2015 and 2023, scientists used mark-recapture methods to monitor dozens of cheetahs, fitting GPS collars on many adults while tracking others through family groups and opportunistic sightings.

The findings are sobering. Population models suggest that cheetah numbers in parts of Kafue National Park are declining, with local births failing to sustain populations in the long term. Low cub survival is a major concern, compounded by human-related threats such as roadkill and snare injuries affecting adults and subadults alike.

Beyond the data, the research highlights the complex challenges of cheetah ecology. Competition with lions and hyenas, declining prey due to habitat changes, and the difficulty females face in recovering after losing cubs all play a role in shaping survival outcomes.

By combining advanced tracking, dedicated fieldwork, and community partnerships, Zambia’s cheetah monitoring efforts are generating vital conservation knowledge. At the same time, the research underscores the urgent need for stronger protections if these magnificent cats are to continue roaming the African plains.