Cheetah Conservation and Genetics

The video explores the Smithsonian's efforts to conserve cheetahs, highlighting the challenges faced by the species, including habitat loss and genetic issues. It discusses the decline in cheetah populations and the importance of breeding programs to maintain genetic diversity. The video also covers the difficulties in breeding due to cheetah behavior and biology, emphasizing the need for careful genetic management to support wild populations.

What is the primary focus of the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute?

• Training animals for entertainment

• Creating wildlife documentaries

• Developing new animal species

• Studying and breeding endangered species

What has been the decline in the cheetah population over the last century?

• 50%

• 70%

• 90%

• 30%

What is the biggest threat to cheetahs in the wild?

• Lack of food

• Climate change

• Loss of habitat

• Predation by other animals

Why are cheetahs genetically similar?

• They have a large population

• They have a diverse genetic pool

• They survived a population bottleneck

• They are crossbred with other species

What historical event caused a genetic bottleneck in cheetahs?

• A massive flood

• A volcanic eruption

• A meteor impact

• The last ice age

What is the purpose of the North American species survival plan for cheetahs?

• To train cheetahs for zoos

• To manage genetic diversity in captivity

• To increase the cheetah population in the wild

• To create a new cheetah species

What makes cheetah females challenging to breed in captivity?

• They have irregular biology

• They are aggressive

• They are too shy

• They are nocturnal

How do scientists ensure genetic diversity in captive cheetahs?

• By following a stud book

• By cloning

• By allowing random breeding

• By crossbreeding with other species

What was unexpected about the recent cheetah litters?

• Their size

• Their color

• Their behavior

• Their diet

What is the current status of the recent cheetah litters?

• They are doing well

• They are being studied for diseases

• They are struggling

• They are being relocated