History of the Cheetah–Human Relationship

In the course of human history, cheetahs have consistently been a part of human societies in various forms, although their primary role seems to have been as hunting animals. In Africa, they had significant roles in religion, mysticism, and hunting. This was true particularly in northern Africa, where they were highly present in Egyptian culture. In Asia, where they were often favored by leaders and royalty of multiple nations, the use of cheetahs as hunting animals was particularly pronounced. In western Europe, they fulfilled similar roles to a lesser extent. Although there are areas today where the cheetah still plays a role in culture and is treated as a pet, the primary relationship is that of conflict. Comparatively, the historical cheetah–human relationship seems to have been mostly based on admiration; however, the side effects contributed to the decimation of wild populations.