So for decades, researchers at zoos and cheetah breeding centers have been trying to boost the cheetah population by encouraging captive cats like Punchow to breed.

The researchers say their findings should help conservationists in their efforts to better help maintain genetic diversity among cheetah populations.

Algeria also has a few, leopard and cheetah populations, but these are seldom seen.

In the 1980's, Namibia's cheetah population shrank by half, with more than 800 killings reported annually to the government.

Frauke Jensen reports on a wildlife research project set up by two German scientists with the aim of counting Namibia's cheetah population.

Namibia's cheetah population - currently estimated at about 2,500 - is the biggest in Africa.

It is estimated that the two regions for coal (Nayband) and iron (Bafq) have the largest cheetah population outside the protected areas.

An article on July 28 about efforts to preserve Namibia's endangered cheetah population referred incorrectly to the role of Tristan Boehme.

Currently, wildlife experts have shortlisted three regions which have the potential to support cheetah populations.

Since the Shahgarh Landscape is fenced along the Indo-Pak border region, the addition of more fencing will ensure adequate protection for the cheetah population.