Cheetah’s Death Highlights Hidden Risk from Lead Ammunition in Wildlife Management

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Otjiwarongo, Namibia (May 23, 2025) – A newly published veterinary case report in Frontiers in Veterinary Science details the death of a young cheetah from acute lead poisoning after ingesting a bullet embedded in a game carcass. The cheetah, Adina, was part of a rehabilitation program preparing her for release into the wild. Her sudden death is only the second publication documenting lead poisoning in a cheetah and raises serious concerns about the risks associated with lead ammunition in wildlife conservation programs.

Adina was housed in a pre-release enclosure at a private reserve in Namibia, where she was fed whole game carcasses—standard practice in southern Africa to mimic natural feeding behaviors. She died within 48 hours of showing signs of distress. A post-mortem revealed a chewed lead bullet in her stomach and widespread internal damage. Toxicology confirmed lethal levels of lead in her liver and kidneys. Her bones also showed evidence of earlier, low-level exposure, suggesting repeated ingestion of contaminated meat over time.

The bullet likely originated from a hunted animal and remained undetected during carcass preparation. While this is not uncommon in wildlife settings, the case underscores the risks involved in using hunted game in rehabilitation programs and the importance of best practices.

“Lead is a well-documented toxic heavy metal with serious consequences for wildlife health. Transitioning to non-lead ammunition is a practical and achievable step, and continued awareness is essential. This change could significantly enhance wildlife management strategies, particularly in African sanctuaries.” said Dr. Catherine Hauw, wildlife veterinarian and PhD candidate in toxicology at Wits University, South Africa.

“It is important to use care and always conduct research when working with cheetahs in conservation,” said Dr. Laurie Marker, Executive Director of Cheetah Conservation Fund. “Every cheetah we return to the wild matters. Each one represents hope for the future of the species, and we must do everything possible to ensure their survival.”

The report recommends shifting to non-lead ammunition whenever possible. When that is not feasible, meat around wound sites should be carefully removed to reduce the chance of contamination from bullet fragments.

By improving protocols and maintaining high standards across all partner sites, conservationists can reduce preventable losses and strengthen the impact of species recovery programs.

Read the full case report here: 10.3389/fvets.2025.1576760

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About the Cheetah Conservation Fund:

The Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF) is the global leader in research and conservation of cheetahs and is dedicated to saving cheetahs in the wild. CCF has created a set of integrated conservation programs to address threats to the cheetah and its ecosystem. Founded in 1990, CCF is an international non-profit organization headquartered in Namibia with a field base in Somaliland. CCF is the longest running cheetah conservation organization and has restored thousands of acres of Namibian farmland, established a training program to enhance the livelihoods of tens of thousands of rural residents.

One of their signature programs is the livestock guarding dog program, where over 800 Anatolian and Kangal guarding dogs have been bred and placed with farmers since 1994 to protect their livestock from predators. The CCFs Research and Education Centre is based on a158,000-acre private wildlife reserve/ conservancy and model farm, veterinary clinic and genetics laboratory. In 2017, CCF set up a field base in Somaliland to care for confiscated cheetah cubs from the illegal wildlife pet trade and have developed programs in the Horn of Africa to help stop the illegal wildlife trade.

Visit www.cheetah.org to learn more about CCF’s work and how you can help protect cheetahs in the wild.

Media Contact

Dr. Laurie Marker
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Phone and WhatsApp: +264811247887