The internet, once hailed as a global connector, has become a dark marketplace for endangered species. This is especially worrisome for cheetahs, the world’s fastest land animal. A new report by TRAFFIC, a wildlife trade monitoring network, reveals a disturbing trend: social media platforms are facilitating a thriving illegal trade in live cheetahs.
CHEETAHS ON THE BRINK: A SPECIES IN PERIL
Cheetahs are already facing an uphill battle for survival. With an estimated 6,500 adults remaining in the wild, their population has dwindled to a mere 9% of their historical range. Classified as “Vulnerable” on the IUCN Red List, cheetahs face numerous threats including habitat loss, conflict with humans, and limited genetic diversity.
THE ALARMING RISE OF ONLINE CHEETAH TRAFFICKING
The TRAFFIC report exposes the shocking extent of online cheetah trafficking. A staggering 70% of illegal cheetah trade now occurs on social media platforms. Researchers identified over 222 unique URLs within just six months, with nearly half openly advertising live cheetahs for sale.
This illicit activity primarily targets vulnerable cheetah cubs, separated from their mothers for the lucrative pet trade. The report also highlights concerning connections between cheetah trafficking and the trade of other exotic animals like big cats, reptiles, and primates.
The report reveals a disturbing shift in tactics by online traffickers. To evade detection, they create multiple user profiles, utilize enhanced privacy settings, and avoid using explicit “transactional” language. Instead, they rely on photos and cryptic messages to attract potential buyers.
COMPOUNDING THE THREAT: A MULTI-FACETED CRISIS
The online trade in cheetahs exacerbates existing threats to the species. Habitat loss continues to fragment cheetah populations, while human-wildlife conflict disrupts their natural behaviour. Furthermore, low genetic diversity weakens the overall health and resilience of the cheetah population.
The online trade adds a chilling new dimension to this complex challenge. It offers a convenient platform for traffickers to exploit vulnerabilities within cheetah populations, potentially accelerating their decline.
MAJOR IMPORTERS OF LIVE CHEETAHS
SOUTH AFRICA
357 animals were imported over the period, predominantly sourced from Namibia’s wild population before 2000. Only 6 animals were imported from Namibia after 2000 with the purpose of reintroduction into the wild and breeding in captivity.
CHINA
257 animals in total, 93 between 2000 and 2009 and 116 between 2010 and 2021, predominantly for zoos. The majority (77%) were captive-bred specimens from South Africa. 14 specimens were imported from Namibia’s wild population between 1995 and 1996.
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
207 animals in total and 133 animals between 2000 and 2020, mainly from South Africa’s captive-bred specimens. 10 animals were sourced from Namibia’s wild population, reportedly traded in 2001 for zoos.
MAJOR EXPORTERS
SOUTH AFRICA
- South Africa was the largest exporter, reportedly exporting 1,574 animals over the period, predominantly sourced from captive-bred specimens.
- Between 2017 and 2021, 212 animals were traded, for the purpose of reintroduction into the wild, for zoos, for breeding in captivity, for commercial purposes and hunting trophies.
- 36 animals (17%) of the 212 above were reportedly sourced from the wild and traded regionally with Malawi, Mozambique and Zambia.
- According to Malawi, Mozambique and Zambia, the animals were traded for reintroduction into the wild. By comparison, South Africa reported that 32 animals were traded for reintroduction into the wild and 4 animals were traded for the purpose of zoos and hunting trophies.
NAMIBIA
- Importers reportedly imported 616 animals from Namibia (a discrepancy with Namibia’s declared exports of 229 animals). Eighty-five per cent of the discrepancies occurred prior to Namibia’s independence in 1990.
- Majority (95%) of the trade occurred prior to 2000, with animals predominantly sourced from the wild, exported mainly to Germany, Japan, South Africa, Thailand and the United States of America, predominantly for zoos and breeding in captivity.
- 10 wild-sourced animals have been exported from Namibia in the last decade (2012-2021) to Cuba for the purpose of zoos. Additionally, Argentina reported importing 1 wild-sourced animal from Namibia in 2015 (no corresponding export reported by Namibia).
ZIMBABWE
- Zimbabwe reported exporting 12 animals (19 according to importers) since 1975, with 3 animals reportedly traded in 2020, sourced from captive-bred specimens to Canada for zoos (no corresponding reported imports).
- Additionally, Zambia reported importing 4 wild-sourced specimens for zoos from Zimbabwe in 2012 (no corresponding reported exports from Zimbabwe).
SAUDI ARABIA
- Reported importing seven live cheetahs, all from the United Arab Emirates, between 1997 and 2006.
- 1 of the 7 animals, traded in 2003 for zoo purposes, was reported as originating from a wild-harvested specimen in Somalia.
- Since 2006, there have been no reported imports of live cheetahs into Saudi Arabia.
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
- Imported 148 live cheetahs, 106 (70%) between 2000 and 2009 and 38 (25%) between 2010 and 2021, primarily for the purpose of breeding in captivity, personal, and zoos.
- 95% were reportedly captive-bred or captive-born specimens from South Africa (135 animals), Qatar (3 animals), Germany (2 animals) and the Netherlands (1 animal).
- 3 animals were sourced from wild populations in Botswana and Namibia in 1991 and 2008, respectively.
- By comparison, Qatar declared no exports of captive-bred specimens to the United Arab Emirates but did report a reexport of three animals to the United Arab Emirates, reportedly sourced from wild specimens in Somalia in 2003.
A CALL TO ACTION: PROTECTING CHEETAHS IN THE DIGITAL AGE
The fight to save cheetahs necessitates a multi-pronged approach that tackles the online wildlife trade at its core. Here are some crucial steps we can take:
- Increased Vigilance by Social Media Platforms: Social media giants like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok have a responsibility to actively monitor their platforms for illegal wildlife trade activity. This includes developing sophisticated algorithms to detect suspicious postings and collaborating with law enforcement agencies to identify and apprehend traffickers.
- Strengthening Law Enforcement: Governments around the world must prioritize wildlife trafficking as a serious crime. This requires allocating resources for effective investigation, prosecution, and stricter penalties for offenders.
- International Collaboration: The illegal wildlife trade flourishes across borders. Collaborative efforts between wildlife agencies, conservation organizations, and international bodies like CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) are crucial to disrupt trafficking networks and ensure effective law enforcement.
- Public Awareness Campaigns: Raising public awareness about the devastating consequences of the exotic pet trade is essential. Educating potential buyers about the cruelty inflicted on animals and the threat to endangered species can help curb demand for live cheetahs in the online black market.
- Supporting Reputable Conservation Organizations: Numerous organizations are working tirelessly to protect cheetahs. By supporting their efforts through donations and volunteering, we can directly contribute to conservation initiatives.
A RACE AGAINST TIME
The fate of cheetahs hangs in the balance. The booming online trade in live animals adds a new layer of complexity to the conservation challenge. By taking decisive action, from strengthening law enforcement to raising public awareness, we can shut down the online black market and ensure that future generations can witness the awe-inspiring beauty of cheetahs in their natural habitat.