Global Cheetah Summit Update

On 27 July, more than 90 conservationists, researchers, government representatives and wildlife practitioners from across and beyond the cheetah’s range came together online for the 6th Global Cheetah Meeting, hosted by the Cheetah Conservation Fund. Over three hours, participants shared updates from across the species’ range, discussed emerging challenges, and identified opportunities to strengthen collaboration.

The meeting showcased the breadth of conservation efforts underway. Yet despite this progress, a consistent message emerged: cheetahs continue to face increasing pressure across much of their range, with human-caused mortalities remaining the leading cause of deaths. Long-term assessments from Namibia, Botswana and South Africa indicate that populations in some of the species’ strongest remaining landscapes are smaller than previously believed and, in several cases, have declined substantially over the past decade. At the same time, large parts of the cheetah’s range remain poorly studied. Updates from Uganda, South Sudan, the Horn of Africa, and West and North Africa highlighted the urgent need for improved monitoring to better understand population status, identify conservation priorities, and measure progress over time. In Iran, the Asiatic cheetah remains critically endangered, while India’s Project Cheetah continues to expand and provides valuable lessons for future recovery efforts.

Conserving cheetahs means conserving the landscapes where people and wildlife coexist. Speakers highlighted community conservancies in Somaliland, coexistence programs in Tanzania, farmer engagement in South Africa, landscape restoration with reintroduction efforts in Zambia, and education initiatives across Africa. As most cheetahs now live outside formally protected areas, their long-term survival increasingly depends on strong partnerships with local communities, connected landscapes, and sustainable financing that supports conservation over the long term.

The meeting also demonstrated the value of collaboration. Across regions, participants shared scientific advances, practical experience and policy developments, reinforcing the importance of coordinated conservation across borders. While the challenges facing cheetahs remain significant, so too does the commitment of the global conservation community. By sharing knowledge, strengthening partnerships and learning from one another, organizations can improve conservation decisions and increase their collective impact.

CCF thanks everyone who contributed to the 6th Global Cheetah Summit and looks forward to continuing these discussions as we work together to conserve one of the world’s most iconic species.