Gr8 Cheetah Census
The Gr8 Cheetah Census is a complementary program to Action for Cheetahs in Kenya’s National Cheetah Survey. The initiative aims to identify and monitor individual cheetahs using a non-invasive, photo-based approach.¹ We are inviting photographers, researchers, and conservation partners to share images of cheetahs they encounter to enable ACK to gain more knowledge about the demographics of Kenya’s cheetahs.
How it works
Each cheetah is identified through careful visual and automated learning software (ArgusWild) comparison of unique spot patterns, particularly on the limbs and tail. The cheetah's natural markings allow us to create accurate identification profiles without disturbing the animals. Photographs are organized within a centralized database that links each individual to specific dates and locations. When a new photo comes in, we visually and digitally compare the spot patterns to know if it is already in our data base. The photos are uniquely coded and if they’re not in the existing data, they're marked as a new cheetah. ACK is able to link our photos to other ArgusWild users further expanding our reach.
Credit: Ansh Ankil Patel
Submitted photos are processed through species recognition software and then reviewed by ACK staff to confirm any matches. This collaborative verification process strengthens each cheetah's profile and helps build a complete identification record.
Credit: Elvira Wolfer
Individual profiles are created for each cheetah, tracking their sighting locations, any other cheetahs they were seen with, and how recently they were last observed.
Credit: Lisa McCarthy
History
The first Gr8 Cheetah Census was conducted from 2004 to 2007 during the first National Cheetah Survey. The photo locations contributed to cheetah presence and population estimates. The photo census was relaunched in 2025, and has steadily gained momentum. In 2025 alone, more than 200 photographs were submitted, leading to identification of several individual cheetahs in Samburu, Narok, Laikipia, and other areas of the country. Several individuals and organizations are collaborating with ACK to contribute data and expand the reach of the project.
Get Involved
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Submit Photos: If you’re interested in submitting photographs you have taken between 2020 and today, please contact gr8cheetahcensus@actionforcheetahs.org for instructions on how to do so.
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Link your database: Researchers and organizations interested in connecting an existing ArgusWild (WildBooks) database with ACK can also contact gr8cheetahcensus@actionforcheetahs.org.
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Support the cause: Donations and purchases of ACK products directly fund this project and broader cheetah conservation efforts in Kenya.
¹ Broekhuis, F., Bissett, C., & Chelysheva, E.V. (2017). Field methods for visual and remote monitoring of the cheetah. In L. Marker, L.K. Boast, & A. Schmidt-Kuentzel (Eds.), Cheetahs: Biology and conservation: Biodiversity of the world: Conservation from genes to landscapes (pp. 447–455). Elsevier Science Publishing.