Cheetahs in Kenya are threatened with extinction primarily due to climate change, land use change and retaliation mortality related to human-wildlife conflict. It is difficult to monitor cheetahs due to their large range and cryptic behaviour. It was always my dream to see a cheetah in the wild, and thanks to a study-abroad program in my undergrad through Colorado State University, I lived my dream in 2023 and saw my first cheetah in the wild. It was at that moment when I realized that my dream could become a reality. The CSU program worked with Action for Cheetahs, and during my trip I discussed potential projects with the project director, Mary Wykstra.

It is difficult to monitor cheetahs because they are shy and live in small numbers. Action for Cheetahs and their neighboring researchers use cameras as a method of monitoring cheetahs, but right now, there is no one collecting cheetah images across their range. I have been giving the chance to live out my dream of working with cheetahs after I graduated from Colorado State University. I have an opportunity to visit one of the top specialists in cheetah ID in the Masai Mara, Dr Elena Chelysheva. I will spend two weeks with Dr Chelysheva learning more about how to catalogue cheetahs using spot ID patterns. I will then work for 8 weeks with Action for Cheetahs monitoring cheetahs in the Lailipia Samburu Isiolo ecosystems - including Samburu and Buffalo Springs National Reserves. I will work with the ACK team to create a catalogue of cheetah photos taken by camera traps, researchers, and naturalists.

I am so excited at this opportunity, but I need your help to make my dreams come true. This is not only a chance to spend more time with the animals I love, but it is a real opportunity to make a difference and aid in supporting conservation efforts for this magnificent species. Whilst being freshly out of college, I don’t have quite the resources I need to pursue this dream of mine.

For any donation of $100 or more, ACK is offering a t-shirt and a 2025 cheetah calendar as a thank-you for your support. Additionally, I will be sending you updates and photos from the field to all contributors. No contribution is too small. This is your opportunity to help me and to save the cheetah at the same time.

I have reduced my goal by $1,000, but I still have quite a bit to go to have the proper resources for this project. Anything helps.

Budget:

Remaining budget of $12,000 includes: