Skip to content

Zimbabwe Cheetah Population Added to CMS Appendices I and II

South African cheetah standing in natural habitat in Etosha National Park, Namibia
Conservation · Management

On 27 June 2026, the cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) population of Zimbabwe became listed on both Appendix I and Appendix II of the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS). The amendments had been adopted at CMS COP15 and entered into force three months later under the Convention’s rules.

Most cheetah populations had already been listed on Appendix I since 2009, but Botswana, Namibia and Zimbabwe were excluded. COP15 added Zimbabwe to Appendix I and, additionally, to Appendix II. Botswana and Namibia remain excluded from the Appendix I listing.

Appendix I creates strict protection obligations

Appendix I is for migratory species considered endangered under CMS. Parties that are Range States must prohibit the taking of listed animals, apart from narrowly defined exceptions, and must endeavour to conserve and where appropriate restore important habitat, reduce obstacles to movement and control other factors that endanger the species.

For Zimbabwe’s cheetahs, the change therefore places the population under the Convention’s strongest category of direct protection obligations. It does not by itself replace Zimbabwean wildlife law or guarantee a particular conservation outcome; implementation depends on national measures and cooperation with other Range States.

Appendix II focuses on international cooperation

Appendix II covers migratory species that require, or would significantly benefit from, international cooperation. It provides a framework for coordinated agreements, action plans, monitoring, research and habitat conservation among countries sharing migratory populations or ecological systems.

The final 2026 amendment applies the new Appendix I and II inclusion specifically to the Zimbabwe population. An earlier proposal had also included Botswana and Namibia, but the revised COP15 proposal was narrowed to Zimbabwe before adoption.

Sources and image credit

  1. Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals. (2026, June 27). 2026/012: Revised CMS Appendices.Official CMS notification on the COP15 appendix amendments entering into force on 27 June 2026.
  2. Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals. (n.d.). Acinonyx jubatus.Official CMS species record for the cheetah listings.

Image: Charles J. Sharp — South African cheetah in Etosha National Park, Namibia; representative image from southern Africa. Source: Wikimedia Commons. · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Source

About this content: This story was produced with AI assistance within an editorial workflow developed by Wildlife Vagabond. Editorial responsibility remains with Wildlife Vagabond.How AI is used

Management

SPECIES IN THIS STORY

Species in this story

Cheetah Acinonyx jubatus Explore species

Independent research and conservation news archive

Did you find this information useful?

Wildlife Vagabond is independently built and maintained. Voluntary support helps cover source verification, hosting and continued work on research and conservation news.

Support Wildlife Vagabond

The news archive will remain freely available.