In the vast savannah of Geed-Deeble, located in Somaliland—a self-declared autonomous region of Somalia—an extraordinary sanctuary is providing refuge to 127 cheetahs. These graceful, slender felines, known for their distinctive spotted coats, were cruelly separated from their mothers to be sold as exotic pets in wealthy Gulf states. The sanctuary, operated by the Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF), stands as a critical stronghold for these animals, many of whom are survivors of a ruthless trade that poses a severe threat to the survival of the species.
The cheetahs housed here display a range of behaviors from yawning and stretching to loud purring as the dedicated staff members approach. This sanctuary is one of the few places where these vulnerable creatures can live under protection and care. It is estimated that only about 600 cheetahs remain in the Horn of Africa, out of approximately 7,000 left in the wild globally. This means the CCF sanctuary supports a significant portion of the regional population, underscoring its vital role in conservation efforts.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) classifies cheetahs as “critically endangered” throughout most of Africa, with the exception of southern regions where their numbers are somewhat higher. The situation in Somaliland is particularly dire, as poaching and illegal trafficking continue unabated. Chris Wade, the director of the sanctuary, fondly calls out to the youngest cheetahs, some still sporting the fluffy fur on their heads, as they eagerly run to greet him. Among these are eight cubs that arrived together last year in a dire state—dehydrated and infested with parasites—rescued from a smuggling vessel intercepted by Somaliland authorities.
These cubs were part of a group of eleven that were saved from a boat attempting to transport them illegally. Despite intensive care efforts, three of the cubs tragically died within days, highlighting the harsh conditions these animals endure during trafficking. The smuggling route often begins in Somaliland or neighboring Ethiopia, with animals transported across the Gulf of Aden to Yemen, and then onward to Gulf countries such as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Local villagers who capture the cubs receive between $50 and $100, while the final sale price in the Gulf can reach an astonishing $15,000 to $20,000 per animal.
Admiral Ahmed Hurre Hariye, commander of the Somaliland coastguard, played a pivotal role in intercepting the boat carrying the cubs, acting on an intelligence tip-off. He shared footage showing the cheetahs hidden in the shallow hold of the vessel, a grim reminder of the clandestine nature of this trade. While the UAE and Saudi Arabia have implemented laws criminalizing the possession and trade of dangerous animals—enacted in 2016 and 2022 respectively—illegal trafficking persists. Animal trafficking expert Daniel Stiles notes that cheetahs continue to appear on social media platforms, indicating ongoing smuggling despite legal restrictions.
Laurie Marker, founder of the Cheetah Conservation Fund, emphasizes the grim reality behind these numbers: for every cub that reaches its destination, four or five perish during the journey. Even those that survive rarely live beyond one or two years in captivity due to malnutrition and improper care, as most owners lack the knowledge to meet the species’ complex needs. A 2021 report by the Global Initiative Against Transnational Crime estimated that around 300 cheetahs are smuggled out of East Africa and the Horn of Africa annually, primarily destined to become exotic pets for the palatial homes of wealthy Middle Eastern royals and elites. If this alarming trend continues, the species faces the very real threat of extinction in the wild.
Somaliland’s Agriculture Minister, Abdilahi Jama Osman, has voiced strong opposition to the trade, warning that its continuation would be disastrous for the region’s wildlife. “This is the battle we are committed to fighting,” he stated, underscoring the government’s resolve to protect these animals from exploitation.
Most of the cheetahs at the CCF sanctuary have grown accustomed to human presence, which unfortunately diminishes their chances of ever regaining their natural hunting abilities—such as reaching speeds of up to 120 kilometers per hour. Wade recalls caring for the youngest cubs when they were just days old, some still attached to their umbilical cords, requiring bottle feeding up to eight times daily. Their early human dependency makes it challenging to reintroduce them to the wild.
Nevertheless, there is cautious optimism for the future. The sanctuary is developing a 1,500-hectare rewilding area designed to prepare younger cheetahs for eventual release back into their natural habitat. Marker explains that this initiative aims to rehabilitate some of the younger animals, providing them with the space and conditions needed to relearn essential survival skills. This project represents a beacon of hope in the ongoing struggle to save the cheetah population in Somaliland and beyond.
