There are estimated to be only ~12,000 cheetahs surviving in the wild. They are on the verge of extinction. And, unlike those cute furry pandas, there is little hope of saving the species through captive breeding programs, for a host of reasons. So, let's say each cheetah is a penny, in US dollar terms. 12,000 pennies left. 12 sawbucks. 120 bucks. $120. Not much left in the cheetah bank account. Chart showing the decline in cheetah population throughout the world. Predicted extinction of population is sometime around 2015. Text and graph are from this link . This is a moving video, watch, listen, and please go to the direct link, because the YouTube information (click on more information) has detailed information about how you can help. Direct link is here Cheetahs are one of the very few big cats that purr, btw. I've posted this YouTube before, but it's worth a reprise: Cheetahs purring and grooming a game ranger Direct link This is a link to my earlier post on ...

Yes, well, that's not a great title for a "feel good" kitteh blog. But, the upside is that awareness of their precarious situation is important in doing what we can to save this wonderful big cat. I stumbled on to this information when I was searching for great YouTubes of cats purring. As far as I have been able to find out, cheetahs are the only big cats that purr. And, along with that, they have a loving disposition. [Update- cougars also purr- h/t to "Pictures of Cats" site owner for that info.] Five links here- first two are YTs from a game ranger- I'd guess from Namibia, home of these big cats. Third and fourth links are from a site (best I've found) that describes why cheetahs are endangered, and what can be done to help. Fifth link is from the main site where I got the cheetah information, and has the Very Best Cat Pictures . All of the $ that this site earns go to several cat charities around the world. Cheetahs purring and grooming t...