On International Cheetah Day, 4 December, conservationists have sounded the alarm about the rapid decline of the valuable species. Namibia is home to about 1,500 to 2,000 of the world's remaining 7,500 wild cheetahs. But they are threatened with extinction as human activities and the loss of their habitat push them closer and closer to the edge of the abyss. Globally, cheetahs are classified as "vulnerable" on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, with two subspecies considered "critically endangered". They are also protected by international laws, including CITES. According to Wild Africa, despite these protective measures, cheetahs continue to face numerous threats, including shrinking habitats, decline in prey, poaching and the illegal trade in exotic pets. Organizations such as the Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF) are committed to protecting them. Through research, education and innovative partnerships with farmers, the CCF promotes the coexistence of humans and cheetahs. "Cheetah survival is a race against time that requires immediate attention. Every moment brings us closer to the point of no return," said Dr. Laurie Marker, founder and executive director of the CCF