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Get excited to celebrate International Cheetah Day on Dec. 4! This day was created in 2017 by the Cheetah Conservation Fund with the goal of raising awareness and saving these beautiful animals from extinction. In just a few decades, cheetahs have seen their population drop from 100,000 to only 7,100 wild cheetahs left in the world today. So let's join together on December 4th and raise some awareness for this magnificent species!
<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1800s</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Cheetah Population Decline</div><div class='timeline-text'>Starting from the 1800s, the cheetah population began to experience a significant decline due to habitat loss, hunting, and other factors.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1975</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Cheetah Conservation Begins</div><div class='timeline-text'>Conservation efforts to save the cheetah from extinction started gaining momentum amidst growing global environmental awareness.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1990</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Cheetah Conservation Fund</div><div class='timeline-text'>The Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF) was established by Dr. Laurie Marker in Namibia, focused on research, education, and advocacy for cheetah conservation.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2007</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Cheetah Genetic Study</div><div class='timeline-text'>Scientists discovered that cheetahs have extremely low genetic diversity compared to other big cats, making conservation efforts even more crucial.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2017</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>First International Cheetah Day</div><div class='timeline-text'>The CCF established December 4th as International Cheetah Day, aiming to raise awareness about the plight of these magnificent creatures.</div></div></div>
<div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Research cheetahs</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Learn about the incredible species of the cheetah, its behavior and its habitat. Look for ways you can help conserve the cheetahs and their environment.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Visit a sanctuary</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Find a nearby wildlife sanctuary to visit and observe cheetahs in their natural habitat. This is a great opportunity to learn more about the animals and appreciate them in their own environment.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Create art</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Express your appreciation for the cheetah by creating a painting, drawing or sculpture of them. You can also make jewelry, cards or other crafts that showcase your admiration for these amazing creatures.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Host an event</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Organize a fundraiser or party to raise awareness about cheetahs and the importance of conservation efforts. Invite people who share your passion for cheetahs and have fun while doing good.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Make donations</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Donate money to conservation organizations devoted to protecting cheetahs and their habitats. Even a small donation can make an impact on the future of these animals.</p></div></div>
<div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Cheetahs are beautiful</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Cheetahs are truly a sight to behold, with their sleek fur, soulful eyes and graceful movements. They can reach speeds of up to 75 mph, making them the fastest land animal on Earth - an impressive feat!</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Cheetahs are endangered</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Unfortunately, cheetahs are listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List due to hunting and habitat destruction. Celebrating International Cheetah Day is a great way to show your support for these animals and help raise awareness about their plight.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Cheetahs have important roles in nature</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Cheetahs play an important role in balancing ecosystems. They help regulate animal populations and keep numbers from getting too high, which can lead to overgrazing and disruption of grassland habitats. By raising awareness about the importance of cheetahs, we can help protect their future.</p></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>1</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Cheetahs are the planet's fastest land animals</h3><p class='facts-content'>With the ability to accelerate from 0 to 60 miles per hour in just a few seconds, cheetahs show an unmatched agility that is a marvel to behold. They serve as a fascinating emblem of speed and efficiency in the wild.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>2</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Cheetahs have unique eyesight and tear marks for hunting</h3><p class='facts-content'>Cheetahs possess a notably sharp long-range vision, which works in synergy with distinctive black "tear marks" that run from their eyes to their mouths. These marks help deflect the sun’s glare, enabling them to focus better on their prey in high-speed chases.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>3</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Cheetah's have a unique genetic makeup</h3><p class='facts-content'>Cheetah's are significantly inbred and have almost identical genetic makeup. This lack of genetic diversity is because of a bottleneck effect where only a small number of individuals survived around 10,000 years ago, leading to less variation in the gene pool.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>4</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Cheetah's purr, not roar</h3><p class='facts-content'>Unlike other big cats such as lions and tigers, cheetahs cannot roar. Instead, they make a variety of unique vocalizations including hissing, purring, growling, and a variety of contact calls somewhat akin to bird-like chirping sounds.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>5</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Cheetah's spots play a crucial role in survival</h3><p class='facts-content'>The cheetah's signature coat - with its distinctive black spots on tan to yellowish background - serves as more than mere aesthetics. Besides acting as camouflage to blend into high, dry grasses, the spots also help regulate their temperature during high-speed pursuits.</p></div></div>
International Cheetah Day is celebrated on December 4 every year. In 2024 International Cheetah Day will occur on a Wednesday.
2023
Dec 4
Monday
2024
Dec 4
Wednesday
2025
Dec 4
Thursday
2026
Dec 4
Friday
2027
Dec 4
Saturday
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