The cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus), part of the cat family is the fastest animal on land, reaching 72 km or 45 miles an hour or more in 2.5 seconds! Living mostly in sub-Saharan Africa, they eat small animals and birds.
Cheetahs are considered endangered, with 7 different subspecies, distinguished by differences in their fur, the most endangered subspecies living in Iran (Acinonyx jubatus venaticus). The decline in the cheetah population is due to a decline in their prey and habitat loss by farming. Farmers see cheetahs as a threat to their livestock and farmland, and are shot or poisoned as a result. Cheetahs in the past were taken as pets as they are easily tamed, and their fur is seen as a symbol of royalty, even with hunting restrictions, enforcement is lacking and poaching is still present.
further information:
Cheetah.org
Cheeta Spot
Cheetah Outreach
