A special thank you to Alexandre Boudet, who submitted his beautiful Tsavo cheetah photographs for identification. His photographs demonstrate the optimal angles for identifying cheetahs through their spot patterns. If you look closely at each photograph, you will see how varied these patterns can be. Note both the large and surrounding small spots on both individuals. The ring pattern on a cheetah’s tail also enables identification (provided you have a clear enough view). Tail rings are sometimes overlapped by small, large, or merged spots.
In our project, we are utilizing downloadable matching software to assist us with accurate identification for mark/recapture studies. This involves fitting a 3D surface model to the photographs to capture the spot pattern. All images are stored in a library where new images can be compared to those scanned previously. The software then displays the most likely matches. Combined with manual identification and other useful information on the cheetah (e.g. sex, approximate age etc), this technique has proven to be quite useful in monitoring cheetah populations.
In our project, we are utilizing downloadable matching software to assist us with accurate identification for mark/recapture studies. This involves fitting a 3D surface model to the photographs to capture the spot pattern. All images are stored in a library where new images can be compared to those scanned previously. The software then displays the most likely matches. Combined with manual identification and other useful information on the cheetah (e.g. sex, approximate age etc), this technique has proven to be quite useful in monitoring cheetah populations.
Please remember to respect the cheetah (and park rules), when observing and photographing them… Cheetahs can be shy and easily disturbed, especially during a hunt, which often occurs during the daytime. If cheetahs are scared off a kill, they are unlikely to return to it. If a cheetah’s prey animal is alerted by noise, the cheetah loses a meal.
Respect the cheetah, by approaching them in a non-threatening, slow zig-zag fashion, as opposed to straight on, and give them space – do not surround them; Turn your engine off, or inform your tour driver to, when stopping to observe and photograph cheetahs. Stay quiet, and never restart your engine when a cheetah is stalking prey; If you see someone else ‘harassing a cheetah’, please report them to Park officials, as cheetah harassment is not permitted in any parks or reserves in Kenya and it is a threat to the cheetah’s survival. Photo credits: Alexandre Boudet
Respect the cheetah, by approaching them in a non-threatening, slow zig-zag fashion, as opposed to straight on, and give them space – do not surround them; Turn your engine off, or inform your tour driver to, when stopping to observe and photograph cheetahs. Stay quiet, and never restart your engine when a cheetah is stalking prey; If you see someone else ‘harassing a cheetah’, please report them to Park officials, as cheetah harassment is not permitted in any parks or reserves in Kenya and it is a threat to the cheetah’s survival. Photo credits: Alexandre Boudet
