Elusive Saharan Cheetah Caught in the First Ever Closeups on Camera

Scientists and conservationists have caught a rare glimpse of the elusive Saharan cheetah over the course of a study examining their status as a species. Not only that, but they've found that these endangered cheetahs may require vast areas for their conservation in order to avoid becoming extinct.

Saharan cheetahs are a critically endangered cheetah subspecies, located in Ahaggar Cultural Park in Algeria. In fact, it's estimated that there are only about 250 of these animals left in the Sahara, which makes them one of the rarest carnivores on the planet. In order to catch a glimpse of these large cats, the scientists used remote infrared camera traps. The photographs that were gathered are some of the only close-up photographs ever taken of the Saharan cheetah.

The new images and research show that the Saharan cheetah adapts its behavior to cope with the harsh desert environment in which it lives. They're mainly active at night in order to avoid heat, and possible contact with humans. They also must cover vast distances in order to find prey.

"This is the first time we have been able to collect scientific data on the rare Saharan cheetah, as in the past we have had to rely on anecdotes and guesswork," said Farid Belbachir, lead author of the new study, in a news release. "We hope that this important carnivore does not follow the path to extinction like other Algerian desert species such as the addax antelope and dama gazelle."

The new research shows how cheetahs survive within extreme desert conditions. This, in particular, gives scientists a better understanding of how best to approach conservations efforts.

"The research provides us with important new insights into the world of this remarkable desert-dwelling large cat," said Sarah Durant, co-author of the new study. "I hope that it not only provides invaluable scientific information about the ecology of the Saharan cheetah for the first time but also reminds the world of the value of studying and protecting desert species and their environments, which are often overlooked by researchers and conservation programs."

The findings are published in the journal PLOS One.

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