Northeast African Cheetah

The Northeast African cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus soemmeringii), also known as the Sudan cheetah, is a recognised subspecies of cheetah native to the northeastern regions of Africa. It is distinguished by its unique coat pattern, geographic distribution, and adaptation to open habitats. This subspecies is considered endangered and faces significant conservation challenges, particularly in the Horn of Africa.

Taxonomy and Evolution

The subspecies was first described in 1855 by the Austrian zoologist Leopold Fitzinger, based on a specimen from Sudan’s Bayuda Desert. Over time, various local forms described under different names were consolidated under the classification A. j. soemmeringii.
Genetic studies suggest that the Northeast African cheetah shares a closer evolutionary relationship with the southern African cheetah than with cheetah populations in the Sahara. Estimates place the divergence of this lineage from other cheetahs between 16,000 and 72,000 years ago, reflecting evolutionary responses to regional environmental pressures.

Distribution and Habitat

Historic and Current Range

Historically, the Northeast African cheetah ranged across Sudan, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Somalia, and Djibouti. Today, its strongholds are mainly in Ethiopia and South Sudan, with populations in other areas reduced or possibly extirpated.
In Ethiopia, sightings are concentrated in national parks such as Omo, Gambella, Mago, Yangudi Rassa, and regions including Borena, Ogaden, and Afar. In South Sudan, populations occur in protected areas including Boma, Radom, and Badingilo National Parks.

Habitat Preferences

The subspecies prefers open landscapes where speed and visibility give hunting advantages. Common habitats include:

• Grasslands
• Savannas
• Semi-arid shrublands
• Sparse open terrain

They generally avoid dense forests, relying instead on expansive areas to pursue prey.

Physical Characteristics

The Northeast African cheetah possesses several distinctive features:

• A dense ochraceous coat with dark, relatively widely spaced black spots.
• A white underbelly and, in some cases, spotted throats and breasts.
• Hind legs usually lacking spots, though some populations show variation.
• Distinct tear marks on the face, sometimes with pronounced white patches around the eyes.
• A thick tail with either black or white tips, varying among individuals.
• Slightly longer or fluffier coats in cooler conditions or captivity, though less pronounced than in Asiatic cheetahs.

Ecology and Behaviour

Diet and Hunting

The diet mainly consists of medium-sized ungulates and small mammals. Principal prey species include Soemmerring’s gazelle, hares, guinea fowl, and occasionally larger animals such as young zebras or hartebeest.
Cheetahs hunt by stealth, stalking prey before launching high-speed chases. Their lightweight build allows rapid acceleration but only for short distances, making successful hunts dependent on surprise and proximity. Kills are often stolen by stronger predators such as lions, hyenas, and leopards.

Social Structure and Reproduction

• Females live solitarily, except when rearing cubs.
• Males often form coalitions, particularly among siblings, to defend territories and increase hunting success.
• Females give birth after a gestation period of around 90–95 days, usually producing litters of 2–6 cubs.
• Cubs are born with a long mantle of soft fur that provides camouflage, later replaced by the spotted adult coat.
• Young males may remain together in coalitions, while females disperse to establish independent ranges.

Conservation Status and Threats

The Northeast African cheetah is classified as Endangered, with population estimates ranging between approximately 260 and 590 individuals in the wild. Earlier estimates from the 1970s suggested populations in the thousands, indicating a sharp decline over recent decades.
Major threats include:

• Habitat loss through agricultural expansion, settlement, and deforestation.
• Decline in wild prey due to overgrazing and hunting.
• Human-wildlife conflict, particularly retaliatory killings after livestock predation.
• Illegal wildlife trade, especially the trafficking of cheetah cubs to exotic pet markets.
• Genetic isolation in small, fragmented populations, leading to reduced diversity and vulnerability.

Conservation Efforts

Conservation measures include the protection of populations within national parks, anti-poaching patrols, and monitoring of illegal trade. Community-based programmes encourage coexistence through livestock protection and compensation schemes.
Captive breeding initiatives have been undertaken, with some rewilding projects, such as the release of Northeast African cheetahs onto reserves in the Arabian Peninsula. Translocation and genetic management strategies are considered important for reducing isolation between fragmented groups.
Efforts are also underway to encourage reassessment of the subspecies’ conservation status, particularly in the Horn of Africa, where threats are intensifying.

Significance

The Northeast African cheetah represents one of the most vulnerable cheetah subspecies, serving as an indicator of the ecological challenges faced by large carnivores in Africa. Its decline illustrates the effects of habitat loss, poaching, and human conflict on top predators. At the same time, it highlights the urgent need for integrated conservation approaches that combine scientific research, habitat preservation, local community engagement, and international cooperation.
Safeguarding this cheetah is not only critical for biodiversity in the Horn of Africa but also for maintaining the ecological balance of savanna and grassland ecosystems where it plays a role as a specialised predator.