'Return of the Cheetah' highlights critical role of the apex predator

International Cheetah Day, observed globally on 4 December, will mark the premiere of 'Return of the Cheetah', a new Discovery Channel documentary that sheds light on the critical efforts to save cheetahs in the wild.

The film follows renowned biologist and conservationist Hazen Audel as he travels to Namibia, home to the world’s largest cheetah population, to meet Dr Laurie Marker and her team at the Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF) near Otjiwarongo.

Airing throughout Africa, the Middle East, Southeast Asia and Latin America, the documentary premieres on the Discovery Channel on 4th December, with additional broadcasts and streaming availability to be announced.

Return of the Cheetah showcases the innovative and integrated conservation strategies employed by CCF, highlighting their fight against habitat loss, human-wildlife conflict, and the illegal wildlife trade. The film features powerful moments, including the rehabilitation and release of a wild cheetah - an experience that embodies CCF’s mission of ensuring a future for these iconic predators.

“This documentary is a celebration of the progress we’ve made, but also a reminder of the urgent work still ahead,” said Marker. “Seeing Hazen experience the release of a cheetah into the wild reflects the hope and possibility that drives our mission every day.”







Resilience through the ages

Marker is currently in Egypt to commemorate International Cheetah Day, visiting iconic sites like Luxor’s Valley of the Kings to reflect on the species’ historic ties to the region. Cheetahs are no strangers to resilience. The species nearly went extinct during a natural climate shift at the end of the last Ice Age, but their population recovered and was stable by the time of the pharaohs.

In Ancient Egypt, cheetahs were revered as symbols of speed and royalty and were even kept as hunting companions. However, their popularity came at a cost. Their difficulty breeding in captivity, coupled with over-exploitation as exotic pets and hunting animals, caused regional extinction across much of their historic range, including the Middle East, North Africa, and India.

“We’ve been loving this species to death for millennia,” said Marker. “We need to shift our mindset to loving cheetahs by protecting them in the wild.”

In modern times, cheetahs have faced mounting pressure across their remaining African range due to habitat loss, human-wildlife conflict, and the illegal wildlife trade. Drawing inspiration from the pharaohs' reverence for the cheetah, Marker advocates for a different legacy: leaving these magnificent animals in the wild and ensuring their habitats remain vibrant places where cheetahs can thrive.



A global call to action

The release of Return of the Cheetah underscores the critical role apex predators play in maintaining healthy ecosystems. Marker emphasises the cascading benefits of cheetah conservation: “Protecting cheetahs safeguards biodiversity, strengthens rangelands, and promotes sustainable human development. International Cheetah Day is not just a celebration of cheetahs but a call to the world to join us in this fight.”

International Cheetah Day was established in memory of Khayam, a cheetah Marker raised in the 1970s while conducting pioneering research into re-wilding captive-born cheetahs. CCF’s work has since expanded globally, addressing threats ranging from habitat degradation to climate change.

Namibians can watch the documentary on Discovery at 21h25.