Cheetahs in Tanzania's Selous–Nyerere ecosystem: lack of evidence for current persistence, and reflections on historical status

A recent study challenges the assumption that cheetahs persist in Tanzania's Selous–Nyerere ecosystem. Despite its significance as potential cheetah habitat, surveys conducted between 2020 and 2022—using sign-based (spoor) methods and camera traps across Selous Game Reserve and Nyerere National Park—yielded no evidence of current cheetah presence. Additionally, interviews with tourism operators and park management provided no reports of recent sightings. The findings suggest that the ecosystem should not be considered part of the contemporary cheetah range, raising questions about whether it ever hosted a resident population or was merely a peripheral area for dispersers from other regions.

Searle, C. E., Strampelli, P., Haule, L., Parsais, S. N., Olesyapa, K., Salum, N. D., Ikanda, D., Mtoka, S., Hape, G., Mathayo, D., Elisa, M., Lobora, A. L., & Dickman, A. J. (2023). Cheetahs in Tanzania’s Selous–Nyerere ecosystem: lack of evidence for current persistence, and reflections on historical status. Oryx, 58(4), 532–536. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0030605323001424