The Illegal Cheetah Trade on Instagram

 

Today, the known global cheetah population in the wild is estimated at only 7,100 adults and adolescents. They are a keystone predator of savanna systems, yet their populations have dramatically declined due to pressures such as human-wildlife conflict, loss of habitat, and most recently, the illegal trade in live cheetah cubs as pets.

In this investigative report, we provide the most extensive dataset in the illegal trade of live cheetahs and their parts from 2010-2019, spanning over 300 sources and 56 countries across the world. It includes 2,183 recorded advertisements for live cheetahs, their parts or products. Many of these live cheetahs become exotic pets in the Arabian Peninsula. Seventy-five percent of these advertisements were found on Instagram.

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Authors:
Patricia Tricorache
Shira Yashphe
Laurie Marker