Wildlife Conservation

Rescue of Cheetah Cubs from Illegal Trade in Somaliland

Eleven cheetah cubs were intercepted from illegal trade operations in Somaliland, marking one of the largest confiscations of the species. The cubs were discovered packed in bags on a small dhow off the Somaliland coast near Berbera by local coast guard authorities on Sun, Oct 15, 2023.

During the operation, two local individuals and three Yemeni nationals were apprehended. The cheetahs were subsequently taken to a rescue center managed by the Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF).

Somaliland is recognized as a significant transit hub for the illegal wildlife trade, with numerous cheetahs and leopards transported from the Horn of Africa to Gulf countries via the Gulf of Aden. The possession of wildlife is illegal in Somaliland, prompting frequent police actions against suspected traders.

In a prior incident in August, local authorities arrested two individuals and rescued ten cheetah cubs intended for the Gulf. The rescued cubs were reported to be severely malnourished and are currently being reintroduced to food gradually, beginning with fluids.

The illegal trade in cheetahs is reported to be a significant factor driving the species toward extinction. The rescued cubs are in varying conditions, with some receiving critical care. CCF currently houses 128 rescued cheetahs and emphasizes that cheetahs are wild animals, essential to ecosystems, and should not be kept as pets.

The operation highlights the critical nature of rescue efforts in preventing extinction, especially with fewer than 7,000 cheetahs remaining in the wild. Conservationists have raised concerns about the increased demand for exotic pets in Gulf countries, which exacerbates the illegal trade affecting ecosystems in the Horn of Africa.