The cheetah, the undisputed champion of the sprint, is facing a new challenge on the scorching savannas of Africa: climate change. A recent study reveals a worrying shift in their behaviour as temperatures rise, potentially pushing them towards a future fraught with conflict and dwindling prey.
Under the usual African sun, cheetahs reign supreme during the day, strategically hunting antelope and other swift prey. However, as the mercury climbs, these elegant predators are adapting their routines, venturing out more at dawn and dusk, according to the study published in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B. While this nocturnal shift might seem like a clever strategy to beat the heat, it comes at a cost: increased overlap with their larger, fiercer rivals – lions and leopards. These mostly nocturnal hunters already pose a threat to cheetahs, often attempting to steal their hard-earned meals. Now, with cheetahs venturing into the nighttime realm, the potential for conflict intensifies. “This increased overlap could lead to more hostile encounters and less food for cheetahs,” warns Kasim Rafiq, a co-author of the study and biologist at the University of Washington. This is particularly concerning given the precarious situation cheetahs already face. Classified as “vulnerable” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, with only 6,500 adults remaining in the wild, any additional threats could be devastating.The study, led by researchers from the University of Washington and the Botswana Predator Conservation Trust, meticulously tracked the movements and activity patterns of 53 large predators – including cheetahs, lions, leopards, and African wild dogs – for eight years using GPS collars. They then compared this data with daily temperature records, revealing a clear link between rising heat and cheetahs’ nocturnal tendencies.
While the study does not directly document increased conflict, the potential consequences are stark. Unlike lions and leopards who can take down larger prey, cheetahs rely solely on freshly hunted meat for their survival. Additionally, they avoid confrontation with their larger counterparts, opting to flee rather than fight.“Their situation could become really critical due to global warming,” emphasizes Bettina Wachter, a cheetah expert from the Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research in Namibia, who was not involved in the study.
This research serves as a stark reminder of the cascading effects of climate change on even the most adaptable creatures. As the planet warms, cheetahs face not just increased competition but also the loss of crucial habitat due to fragmentation and human-wildlife conflict.The future for cheetahs hangs in the balance. The next phase of this research, using audio recorders and accelerometers, aims to shed light on the frequency of encounters between cheetahs and other predators, providing crucial insights for conservation efforts.
With less than 7,000 individuals remaining in the wild, the swiftest land animal on Earth is in a race against time. Protecting cheetahs requires not just safeguarding their habitat but also mitigating the effects of climate change, ensuring they can continue their reign on the savannas, not just during the day, but for generations to come.
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Reference:
1.     Press Trust Of India. (2023, November 8). Cheetahs become more nocturnal on hot days, reveals study. Retrieved March 7, 2024, from Republic World website: https://www.republicworld.com/science/cheetahs-become-more-nocturnal-on-hot-days-reveals-research-study
2. Larson, C. (2023, November 8). Cheetahs become more nocturnal on hot days. Climate change may trigger fights among predators. Retrieved March 7, 2024, from Phys.org website: https://phys.org/news/2023-11-cheetahs-nocturnal-hot-days-climate.html
3. Kuta, S. (2023, November 9). Cheetahs Become More Nocturnal in Extreme Heat, Study Finds. Retrieved March 7, 2024, from Smithsonian Magazine website: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/cheetahs-become-more-nocturnal-in-extreme-heat-study-finds-180983223/ Â
