This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/sci/tech/7905986.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Rare cheetah captured on camera Rare cheetah captured on camera
(1 day later)
The first camera-trap photographs of the critically endangered Northwest African, or Saharan cheetah, have been obtained in an experiment in Algeria.The first camera-trap photographs of the critically endangered Northwest African, or Saharan cheetah, have been obtained in an experiment in Algeria.
The images were captured as part of a project run by the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) and Office du Parc National de l'Ahaggar (OPNA).The images were captured as part of a project run by the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) and Office du Parc National de l'Ahaggar (OPNA).
The animal is known with certainty to range in six countries: Algeria, Togo, Niger, Mali, Benin, and Burkina Faso.The animal is known with certainty to range in six countries: Algeria, Togo, Niger, Mali, Benin, and Burkina Faso.
But the total population may be fewer than 250 mature individuals.But the total population may be fewer than 250 mature individuals.
This is an incredibly rare and elusive subspecies of cheetah Farid Belbachir, Field surveyor The pictures come from a systematic camera-trap survey across the central Sahara. FROM THE BBC WORLD SERVICE class="" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/index.shtml">More from BBC World Service The pictures come from a systematic camera-trap survey across the central Sahara.
It managed to identify four different Saharan cheetahs using spot patterns unique to each animal.It managed to identify four different Saharan cheetahs using spot patterns unique to each animal.
"The Saharan cheetah is critically endangered, yet virtually nothing is known about the population, so this new evidence, and the ongoing research work, is hugely significant," said ZSL's Dr Sarah Durant."The Saharan cheetah is critically endangered, yet virtually nothing is known about the population, so this new evidence, and the ongoing research work, is hugely significant," said ZSL's Dr Sarah Durant.
Farid Belbachir, who is running the field survey, added: "This is an incredibly rare and elusive subspecies of cheetah and current population estimates, which stand at less than 250 mature individuals, are based on guesswork.Farid Belbachir, who is running the field survey, added: "This is an incredibly rare and elusive subspecies of cheetah and current population estimates, which stand at less than 250 mature individuals, are based on guesswork.
"This study is helping us to turn a corner in our understanding, providing us with information about population numbers, movement and ecology.""This study is helping us to turn a corner in our understanding, providing us with information about population numbers, movement and ecology."
Populations are said to be very fragmented and smallPopulations are said to be very fragmented and small