Multiple cheetah cubs, some barely a few weeks old, have been rescued from the illegal wildlife trade in Somaliland. Some are in critical condition and a significant amount of cubs did not survive the rescue mission due to trauma.
The illegal wildlife trade sees young cheetah cubs being trafficked through Somaliland to the Middle East where they are sold to wealthy buyers on the black market. It is estimated that approximately 300 cheetah cubs are trafficked each year. The cubs who survive the vicious journey can be sold for up to $15,000 or R229 976.
According to the South African, the cubs who survived the rescue mission are being tended to by a non-profit rescue centre based in Somaliland. This organization is known as the Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF). The CCF has inspected the rescued cubs and have expressed concern for the smallest cub of the group. The cub smallest cub, nicknamed ‘Green’, is extremely frail weighing only 700 grams or 0,7 Kilograms. Laurie Marker, the founder of the CCF, has commented on the condition of ‘Green’ stating that things are ‘very touch and go’ with the young cub.
This incident illustrates the brutality of the wildlife trade as well as its impact on various animal species. It has been calculated that a century ago the world had about 100,000 cheetahs. Now, with animal trafficking, the wildlife trade, and other threats to cheetahs, there are barely 7000 left in existence.
Picture: Getaway Gallery
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