Combining social and biological surveys for national cheetah distribution analysis

Informed conservation management of the cheetah requires reliable status assessments and inferences on their ability to utilize human-influenced landscapes. Action for Cheetahs in Kenya (ACK) conducted the first Kenya national... [ view full abstract ]

Informed conservation management of the cheetah requires reliable status assessments and inferences on their ability to utilize human-influenced landscapes. Action for Cheetahs in Kenya (ACK) conducted the first Kenya national cheetah survey in collaboration with the Kenya Wildlife Service, Cheetah Conservation Fund and East African Wildlife Society between 2004 and 2007. We were the first to create a range-wide map of cheetahs based on actual site visitation across the entire country. Results of the survey formed the baseline for national and regional strategic planning. Methodology for the second survey will include land cover and anthropogenic influences mapped in ArcGIS with cheetah occupancy from field surveys, detection dog scat collection and gene flow analysis.

Information on the relationship between ecological and social determinants that influence cheetah distribution and survival will be determined on a landscape level. In addition, landscape connectivity that facilitates cheetah dispersal, especially those living in small isolated population and the genetic viability of isolated populations inside and outside protected areas across their ranges, will also be assessed. This presentation will highlight improved methodology being used to increase knowledge and influence cheetah conservation strategies by combining social and biological science in a national survey.