What kind of research does CCF conduct?

CCF conducts genetics, ecology, and conservation research at its field centres in Namibia and Somaliland. CCF's conservation genetics laboratory, the only fully equipped genetics lab in situ at a conservation facility in Africa, performs forensic analysis to trace the geographic origins of trafficked cheetahs, population health studies, and genetic diversity assessments. CCF's ecology team studies bush dynamics, soil health, vegetation response, wildlife distribution, and long-term ecosystem change to inform conservation strategy.

Does CCF have a genetics laboratory?

Yes. CCF's Life Technologies Conservation Genetics Laboratory is a world-class research facility at its International Research and Education Centre in Namibia. It is the only fully equipped genetics lab located at a conservation facility in Africa. The lab conducts forensic analysis supporting wildlife crime investigations, population health studies, genetic diversity assessments, and trade-linked sample identification. CCF's genetics research directly contributed to the 2023 IUCN uplisting of Horn of Africa cheetahs to Endangered status.

How does CCF use science to fight wildlife trafficking?

CCF's genetics laboratory banks DNA samples from cheetahs confiscated by government authorities to trace their geographic origins and support criminal investigations and prosecutions. This forensic work provides the evidence base that courts and enforcement agencies need to convict wildlife traffickers. CCF also maintains a Genome Resource Bank of preserved genetic material used for population health studies and genetic diversity assessments across the cheetah's range.

How does CCF track cheetahs in the wild?

CCF uses satellite and GPS tracking collars fitted to released and wild cheetahs to monitor home range size, movement patterns, habitat use, and post-release survival. CCF also deploys camera traps across its study areas to identify individual cheetahs, estimate population density, document species presence, and monitor wildlife activity. Together, these remote monitoring methods allow CCF to study cheetah behaviour and ecology without direct human presence.

What is the International Cheetah Studbook?

The International Cheetah Studbook is a voluntary register of all cheetahs held in zoological and private facilities worldwide. Each registered animal is assigned a unique studbook number. Dr. Laurie Marker, CCF's Founder and Executive Director, serves as the International Cheetah Studbook Keeper. Data is collected through questionnaires sent to all facilities holding cheetahs and verified through Species360 and direct communications.