Cheetah Extinction
Throughout
the ages the cheetah population has had drastic increases and decreases. Approximately 20,000 years ago, cheetahs were
extremely abundant and roamed vast areas of the world. There’s proof they once
inhabited 4 different continents: Africa, Asia, Europe, and North America. Although
there were great numbers, a shift in climate change resulted in an extreme mass
extinction of all but one species of cheetah. It’s estimated that only 7 may
have remained alive through this period.
Cheetahs eventually made a comeback but are now suffering from many genetic problems. When numbers were low, it forced them to take part in inbreeding. Inbreeding took away all genetic diversity from these animals. When cheetah blood is tested, it appears as if each cheetah is a twin to one another. Most mammals have a distinct difference in their genetic makeup, but cheetahs, on the other hand, have almost 99% of the same genes.
As a result of genetic issues, cheetahs suffer from problems such as poor sperm quality, low birth survival rate, and are more likely to contract disease and viruses. If these animals contract a disease, it could have the potential to wipe out the entire population. In animals with a diverse gene pool, this problem is unlikely because when a disease is contracted it only attacks the animals with a certain type of gene.
Without genetic diversity, cheetahs will not be able to adapt. Efforts are currently being made to help with cheetah survival. Zoos and scientists are working together to add genetic diversity to the remaining population. Techniques such as artificial insemination help with the poor sperm quality. Eggs and sperm are being gathered from all over the world in hopes of adding as much genetic diversity to the cheetah population as possible.
Cheetahs eventually made a comeback but are now suffering from many genetic problems. When numbers were low, it forced them to take part in inbreeding. Inbreeding took away all genetic diversity from these animals. When cheetah blood is tested, it appears as if each cheetah is a twin to one another. Most mammals have a distinct difference in their genetic makeup, but cheetahs, on the other hand, have almost 99% of the same genes.
As a result of genetic issues, cheetahs suffer from problems such as poor sperm quality, low birth survival rate, and are more likely to contract disease and viruses. If these animals contract a disease, it could have the potential to wipe out the entire population. In animals with a diverse gene pool, this problem is unlikely because when a disease is contracted it only attacks the animals with a certain type of gene.
Without genetic diversity, cheetahs will not be able to adapt. Efforts are currently being made to help with cheetah survival. Zoos and scientists are working together to add genetic diversity to the remaining population. Techniques such as artificial insemination help with the poor sperm quality. Eggs and sperm are being gathered from all over the world in hopes of adding as much genetic diversity to the cheetah population as possible.
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