The illegal trade of cheetah cubs, smuggled from the wild into private hands for profit and social media clout, is an ongoing crisis, particularly in places like the Horn of Africa. As cheetah populations continue to dwindle in the wild, traffickers capitalize on the demand for exotic pets by pulling cubs from their mothers at an alarming rate. These animals often endure horrific conditions, with only a fraction surviving the journey to their buyers. In regions like Somaliland, authorities struggle to stem the tide of cheetah trafficking.

A 2020 study found that nearly 3,600 cheetah cubs were trafficked from the wild over the previous decade. Most of these animals are destined for wealthy buyers in the Middle East, particularly in countries like Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, where owning a cheetah or other big cats is seen as a status symbol. Many of these sales are facilitated through social media platforms like Instagram, where exotic pet ownership is glamorized, fueling an ongoing demand.

Laurie Marker, founder of the Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF), says that about 300 cubs are taken from the wild each year, with only around 10% surviving the brutal conditions of smuggling. "Every cub that’s trafficked is a loss to the wild population," Marker notes, pointing to the devastating impact this trade has on conservation efforts. With fewer than 7,000 cheetahs left in the wild, this illegal market is putting the species in grave danger. Carole Baskin, of Big Cat Rescue believes that as long as people, like Laurie Marker, pose with cheetahs it drives the demand for them as pets.

While this crisis unfolds abroad, the United States has taken a significant step in curbing the exploitation of big cats through the passage of the Big Cat Public Safety Act on December 20, 2022. This landmark federal law effectively ended the private ownership of big cats, including lions, tigers, and cheetahs, within the U.S., and banned human-big cat interactions like cub petting, which had previously fueled much of the demand for these animals in captivity.

The law, championed by animal rights activists for years, closed loopholes that had allowed private owners and facilities to breed and profit from big cats under the guise of "conservation" or entertainment. As a result, it has virtually eliminated the private ownership of these majestic animals in the U.S., setting a global example for how to combat wildlife trafficking and abuse. This law has demonstrated that government action can halt the private trade of big cats, shutting down unethical practices like cub petting, which not only exploited the animals but also endangered people by promoting close contact with dangerous predators.

One of the key takeaways from the U.S.'s success with the Big Cat Public Safety Act is the importance of strong legislation backed by enforcement. Without strict laws, the illegal wildlife trade can flourish unchecked, as is the case in regions where cheetah trafficking is rampant. Countries grappling with similar issues can look to the U.S. as a model for how to address the root causes of big cat exploitation and trafficking.

Despite social media's role in glorifying the ownership of exotic pets, it can also be a tool for raising awareness and advocating for change. Instagram should be part of the solution, not the problem, In 2020, Instagram implemented measures to curb wildlife trafficking by removing posts related to the sale of protected species, but the problem persists. Stricter global regulations, including bans on private ownership and a focus on disrupting online networks, could help further limit this trade.

The U.S. has proven that with the right laws and public support, the private ownership of big cats can be brought to an end. Now it’s time for other nations to take similar action. As the illegal trafficking of cheetahs and other endangered species continues to threaten wildlife globally, countries must adopt their own versions of the Big Cat Public Safety Act. Only through decisive legislative action can we protect these magnificent creatures from the grip of human exploitation and preserve them for future generations.