Cheetah Census

In Namibia, one of the exciting research projects on the way is to help us estimate the remaining populations of cheetah in non-invasive manners. We do this via photographic captures, and DNA-based captures. In photo trapping, the animal will trigger self-activating cameras and take their own pictures. Last year we purchased a total of 40 Deer CAM passive motion/heat sensor camera traps to this effect. In the DNA-based sample surveys, instead of a picture of the animal, the individual identification is provided by a sample of a body hair that is snagged by a device placed in the animal's path. CCF's research during the past six months has focused on developing techniques to employ these census methodologies in CCF's research study area.