Cheetah Conservation Fund

Some of the publications listed below are available online for information and research purposes. We ask that you observe copyright information.

Please visit our Science and Research Section for more information on CCF's programs.

For links to other research sources, visit our Research and Reference links section.

Selected Publications

• O'Brien, S.J.; Roelke, M.E.; Marker, L.; Newman, A.; Winkler, C.A.; Meltzer, D.G.; Colly, L.; Evermann, J.F.; Bush, M.E.; Wildt, D.E. Genetic basis for species vulnerability in the cheetah. Science (227): 1428-1434. 1985
• Marker, L. L. (1985)  Factors in cheetah conservation.  Regional Proc. Amer. Assoc. Zoo. Parks & Aquar.  AAZPA Press, Wheeling, W. Virginia:  139-144
• Marker L, O'Brien SJ. 1989. Captive breeding of the cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) in North
  American zoos (1871-1986). Zoo Biology 8:3-16. 1989
• Marker-Kraus, L., Kraus, D. The Namibian Free-ranging Cheetah . Environmental Conservation, 21(4): 369-370. 1994.
• Marker-Kraus, L. History of the Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) in Zoos 1829-1994 . The Zoological Society of London. Int. Zoo Yearbook, 35:27-43. 1997.
• Marker, L. The Role of the South African Zoos in the Survival of the Cheetah, Proceedings of the Annual Pan African Association of Zoos, Aquariums and Botanical Gardens Conference, May 1997.
• Munson, L. & Marker, L. The Impact of Capture and Captivity on the Health of Namibian Farmland Cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus). Proceedings of the 50th Namibian Vet Congress, Sept. 1997.
• Marker, L. & Kraus, D. Conservation Strategies for the Long-term Survival of the Cheetah (Acinonyx Jubatus) by the Cheetah Conservation Fund, Windhoek . The Zoological Society of London, Int. Zoo Yearbook, 35:59-66. 1997.
• Marker, L. 'Morphological Abnormalities in Namibian Cheetahs Acinonyx jubatus' , Proceedings of the 50th Namibian Vet Congress, Sept. 1997.
• Munson, L., Marker, L., O'Brien, S.J., Everman, J.F., and Spencer, J.A. Prevalences of Antibodies to Viral Diseases in Namibian Farmland Cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus). Proceedings of the 50th Namibian Vet Congress, Sept. 1997.
• Terio, K.A. & Marker, L. Measuring Gonadal and Adrenal Steroids in the Feces of Wild and Wild-Caught Namibian Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus). Proceedings of the 50th Namibian Vet. Congress, Sept.1997.
• Marker-Kraus, L., DeVincent, S, Scherer, H, Basson, P. A., Munson, L., and Quackenbush, S. L. 1997. Lymphosarcoma in a captive Namibian cheetah: a case study. Proceedings: World Veterinary Association and Veterinary Association of Namibia: 2nd African Conference. 41 - 47
• Muroua, D. & Marker, L. 'The Cheetah Conservation Fund's Mission: To Ensure Long-term Survival of Cheetah and their Ecosystem,' Proceedings of the National AZA Conference, Sept. 1997.
• Marker, L. 'Status of the Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus)'  Cheetah Symposium, South African Vet Association, 1998.
• Marker, L.& Schumann, B.D. 'Cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus) as problem animals: Management of Cheetahs on Private Land in Namibia,' Cheetah Symposium, South African Vet Association. 1998.
• Marker, L. 'Aspects of the Ecology of the Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) on North Central Namibian Farmlands' . Namibia Scientific Society Journal, 48: 40-48, 2000.
• Marker, L. 'Reducing conflicts between Namibian farmers and cheetahs' . In: Wildlife, Land, and People Priorities for the 21st Century (Ed) Field, R., Warren, R.J., Okarma, H., Sievert, P.R. The Wildlife Society, Bethesda, MD, pp. 184-187. 2001.
• Marker, L. Aspects of Namibian Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) Biology, Ecology and Conservation Strategies . DPhil. Thesis, Department of Zoology, University of Oxford. 2002.
• Marker, L.L., Muntifering, J.R., Dickman, A.J., Mills, M.G.L., Macdonald, D.W. Quantifying prey preferences of free-ranging Namibian cheetahs . South African Journal of Wildlife Research, 33: 43-53. 2002.
• Marker, L., Kraus, D., Barnett, D. & Hurlbut, S. Cheetah Survival on Namibian Farmlands . Cheetah Conservation Fund. Third edition. 2003.
• Marker, L.; Dickman, A.J.; Jeo, R.M.; Mills, M.G.L.; Macdonald, D.W. Demography of the Namibian cheetah . Biological Conservation. 114(3): 413-425. 2003.
• Pearks Wilkerson, A.J., Teeling, E.C., Troyer, J.L., Bar-Gal, G.K., Roelke, M., Marker, L., Pecon-Slattery, J., O'Brien, S. Coronavirus outbreak in cheetahs: Lessons for SARS . Current Biology. 14(6): 227-228. 2003.
• Marker, L.; Dickman, A.J.; Mills, M.G.L; Macdonald, D.W. Aspects of the management of cheetahs trapped on Namibian farmlands . Biological Conservation 114(3):401-412. 2003.
• Marker, L. & Dickman, A.J., Morphology, physical condition and growth of the cheetah , Journal of Mammology. 84: 840-850, 2003.
• Marker, L., Mills, M.G.L., MacDonald, D.W. Factors influencing perceptions and tolerance towards cheetahs on Namiibian farmlands . Conservation Biology. 17 (5): 1-9, 2003.
• Marker, L. Munson, L., Basson, P.A., and Quackenbush, S. Multicentric T-cell Lymphoma Associated with Feline Leukemia Virus infection in a Captive Namibian Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) . Journal of Wildlife Diseases 39: 690-695. 2003.
• Marker, L. and Dickman, A. Conserving Cheetahs Outside Protected Areas: An Example from Namibian Farmlands , Cat News, 38: 24-25, 2003.
• Terio, K.A., Marker, L., Overstrom, E.W., Brown, J.L. Analysis of ovarian and adrenal activity in Namibian cheetahs. South African Journal of Wildlife Research , South African Journal of Wildlife Research. 33(2): 71-78, 2003.
• Marker, L. Challenges of Developing Predator Conservation Education in Namibia. Environmental Education Association of Southern Africa (EEASA) Conference. June 2003.
• Schumann, M. (Ed.) Guide to Integrated Livestock and Predator Management, CCF/RISE Namibia, Cheetah Conservation Fund, Windhoek, Namibia. 2004
• Marker, L. & Dickman, A.J. Dental anomalies and incidence of palatal erosion in Namibian cheetahs (Acinonyx Jubatus Jubatus) . Journal of Mammology, 85(1): 19-24, 2004.
• Munson, L., Marker, L., Dubovi, E., Spencer, J.A., Evermann, J.F. and O'Brien, S.J. Serosurvey of Viral Infections in Free-Ranging Namibian Cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus) . Journal of Wildlife Diseases 40(1) 23-31. 2004.

• Terio, K.A., Marker, L. & Munson, L. 'Evidence for Chronic Stress in Captive But Not Free-Ranging Cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus) Based on Adrenal Morphology and Function.' Journal of Wildlife Diseases 40(2) pp 259-266. 2004. Click here for abstract.

• Marker, L. & Dickman, A. Human Aspects of Cheetah Conservation: Lessons Learned from the Namibian Farmlands . Human Dimensions of Wildlife, 9:297-305. 2004.
• Molia, S., Chomel, B. B., Kasten, R. W., Leutenegger, C. M., Steele, B. R., Marker, L., Martenson, J. S., Keet, D. F., Bengis, R. G., Peterson, R. P., Munson, L., O'Brien, S. J. Prevalence of Bartonella infection in wild African lions (Panthera leo) and cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus). Veterinary Microbiology (Vol. 100)  (No. 1/2) 31-41. 2004
• Terio, K.A., Munson, L., Marker, L., Aldridge, B.M. & Solnick, J.V. Comparison of Helicobacter spp. in Cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus) and without Gastritis . Journal of Clinical Microbiology, pp. 229-234. Jan. 2005.
• Marker, L., Dickman, A.J., Schumann, M. Using Livestock Guarding Dogs as conflict resolution strategy . Carnivore Damage Prevention News. Bern, Switzerland. 8: 28-32, 2005.
• Marker, L.L., Dickman, A.J. Notes on the spatial ecology of caracals (Felis caracal), with particular reference to Namibian farmlands . African Journal of Ecology. 43(1): 73-76, 2005.
• Marker, L., Dickman A., & Macdonald, D. Perceived effectiveness of Livestock Guarding Dogs placed on Namibian Farms . Journal of Rangeland Management). 58(4): 329-336, 2005

• Munson, L., Terio, K., Worley, M., Jago, M., Bagot-Smith, A. & Marker, L. 'Extrinsic Factors Signifcantly Affect Patterns of Disease in Free-Ranging and Captive Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) Populations.' Journal of Wildlife Diseases, 41(3) pp. 542-548. 2005. Click here for abstract.

• Marker, L., Dickman, A., & Macdonald, D. Survivorship and Causes of Mortality for Livestock-Guarding Dogs on Namibian Rangeland . Journal of Rangeland Management. 58(4): 337-343, 2005
• Marker, L.L., Dickman, A.J. Factors affecting leopard (Panthera pardus) spatial ecology, with particular reference to Namibian farmlands . South African Journal of Wildlife Research. 35(2): 105-115. 2005
• Schumann, B., Conradie, C., To Release or Not to Release . AgriForum (Namibia). Vol. 18, No. 10. 2005.
• Wacher, T., De Smet, K., Belbachir, F., Belbachir-Bazi, A., Fellous, A., Belghoul, M. & Marker, L. (2005). Sahelo-Saharan Interest Group Wildlife Surveys. Central Ahaggar Mountains . (March 2005). iv + 34 pp. Also available in French: click here .
• Muntifering, J.R., Dickman, A.J., Perlow, L.M., Hruska, T., Ryan, P.G., Marker, L.L. & Jeo, R.M. Managing the matrix for large carnivores: a novel approach and perspective from cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) habitat suitability modelling . Animal Conservation 9 (2006) 103-112..
• Busby, G.B.J., D. Gottelli, S. Durant, T. Wacher, L. Marker, F. Belbachir, K. De Smet, A.Belbachir-Bazi, A. Fellous & M. Belghoul. 2006. A Report from the Sahelo Saharan Interest Group - Office du Parc National de l'Ahaggar Survey, Algeria (March 2005) - Part 5: Using Molecular Genetics to study the Presence of Endangered Carnivores  (November 2006). Unpublished Report. vi + 19 pp.
• Crosier, A.E., Pukazhenthi, B.S., Henghali, J.N., Howard, J.G., Dickman, A.J., Marker, L., Wildt , D.E., Cryopreservation of spermatozoa from wild-born Namibian cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus) and influence of glycerol on cryosurvival. Cryobiology 52, 169-181, 2006. Click here for abstract.
• Schumann, M., Schumann, B., Dickman, A., Watson, L.H and. Marker, L. Assessing the use of swing gates in game fences as a potential non-lethal predator exclusion technique. South African Journal of Wildlife Research 6 (2): 173-181 (October 2006). Click here for abstract.
• Marker, L.; Dickman, A.; Wilkinson, C.; Schumann B.; and Fabiano E. The Namibian Cheetah: Status Report. IUCN/SSC Cat News Special Issue N° 3, December 2007.
• Purchase, G.; Marker, L.; Marnewick, K.; Klein R.; and Williams S. Regional Assessment of the Status, Distribution and Conservation Needs of Cheetahs in Southern Africa. IUCN/SSC Cat News Special Issue N° 3, December 2007 
• Crosier, A., Marker, L., Howard, J., Pukazhenthi, B., Henghali, J., Wildt, D. Ejaculate trails in the namibian cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus): influence of age, season and captivity . Reproduction, Fertility and Development, 2007, 19, 370-382.
• Marker, L.L., Dickman, A.J., Mills, M.G.L., Jeo, R.M., Macdonald, D.W. Spatial Ecology of Cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus) on North-central Namibian farmlands. Journal of Zoology, London. 226 274 (2008) 226-238, 2008.  (Listen to the Journal of Zoology podcast by clicking here - advance to 6'52" to listen to Dr. Laurie Marker)
• Marker, L.; Pearks-Wilkerson, A.J.; Sarno, R.J.; Martenson, J.; Breitenmoser-Wursten, C., O'Brien, S.J.; Johnson, W.E., Molecular Genetic Insights on Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) Ecology and Conservation in Namibia. Journal of Heredity. 99(1) 2-13, 2008.
• Marker, L.L. Cheetah Conservation Strategies in Namibia - A Model for the Future. African Wildlife Conference Proceedings. Zoo Dvur Kralove (Czech Republic). May 6-11, 2008.
• Marker, L.L. Cheetah Survival Strategies in Namibia. Wild Cat News (The Cougar Network). Vol. 4, Issue 1, pp3-8. Spring 2008.
• Marker, L., Fabiano, E­., & Ngikembua, M. The Use of Remote Camera Traps to Estimate Density of Free-Ranging Cheetahs in North-Central Namibia. Cat News. Autumn 2008. 22-24
• Lester EM, Hartmann AM, Schmidt-Küntzel A: Lingual Squamous Cell Carcinoma In Working Dogs In  Namibia; Investigation into the incidence, predisposing factors, causes and treatment options; Preliminary Results of a Pilot Study. Veterinary Association of Namibia Congress Proceedings, Swakopmund. 2008
• Nghikembua, M. 2008. Quantifying farmers’ perceptions and willingness; as well as availability of encroaching aboveground Acacia bush biomass on CCF commercial farmlands in north central Namibia.  Masters Degree Thesis, University of the Free States, South Africa. 2008
•  Crosier, A.E., Henghali, J.N., Howard, J., Pukazhenthi, B.S., Terrell, K.A., Marker, L. and Wildt, D.  Improved Quality of Cryopreserved Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) Spermatozoa After Centrifugation Through Accudenz. Journal of Andrology, Vol. 30, No. 3, May/June 2009
• Fabiano, E.C., Nghikembua, M. T., Marker, L.L, Do non-target species remote camera trap datasets have any value? A case study using a non-target dataset from a cheetah study conducted in Namibia. Mammalia (submitted - 2009)
• Marker, L. Overview of Long-Term Health, Reproduction and Genetic Research on Namibia Cheetah (Acinonyx Jubatus). International Conference on Diseases of Zoo and Wild Animals. Netherlands. May 2009. 
• Marker, L., Sivamani, S. Policy for human-leopard conflict management in India. Cat News 50 - Spring 2009
• Busby, G. B.J., Gottelli, D., Wacher, T., Marker L., Belbachir F., De Smet K., Belbachir-Bazi A.,Fellous A., Belghoul M. and Durant S.M. Genetic analysis of scat reveals leopard Panthera pardus and cheetah Acinonyx jubatus in southern Algeria. © 2009 Fauna & Flora International, Oryx, 43(3), 412–415 Cambridge University Press
• Marker, L., Dickman, A.J., Mills, M.G.L., Macdonald, D.W. Chapter 15: Cheetahs and Ranchers in Namibia: A Case Study. (pp 353) Biology and Conservation of Wild Felids. Edited by Macdonald, D.W. and Loveridge, J. Oxford University Press. 2010

• Terrell,K. A., Wildt,D.E., Anthony, N. M., Bavister,B.D. Leibo,S.P., Penfold, L.M., Marker,L.L. and Crosier, A.E. (2010) Evidence for Compromised Metabolic Function and Limited Glucose Uptake in Spermatozoa from the Teratospermic Domestic Cat (Felis catus) and Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus). Biology of Reproduction 83 (5): 833-841
• Stein, A.B. Stein, Fuller, T.K., Damery,  D.T., Sievert,  L. & Marker, L.L. Farm management and economic analyses of leopard conservation in north-central Namibia. Animal Conservation 13:4, 419-427. August 2010

• Passmore, B. R., Marker, L. How ancient methods of livestock management are helping to save cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus) from extinction. Proceedings, Animal Behaviour Management Alliance (ABMA) 2010 Annual Conference. Pittsburgh.
• Terrell,K. A., Wildt,D.E., Anthony, N. M., Bavister,B.D. Leibo,S.P., Penfold, L.M., Marker,L.L. and Crosier, A.E. Oxidative Metabolism Is Required for Sperm Motility and Viability in Felids, but May be Impaired in Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) Ejaculates. In: Cell Adhesion Dynamics in Reproduction session, poster and paper. 43^rd Society for the Study of Reproduction 2010 conference in Milwaukee, WI.
• Harris, J., Nghikembua, M., Tregenza, T., Marker, L. Interactions between bush encroachment and large carnivore habitat selection: a case study using GIS software to track GPS satellite collared cheetahs in Northern Namibia. (accepted for the special poster session GIS in Wildlife Ecology). Wildlife Society annual conference (2010).

• Richards, R. The potential for biomass certification to fuel landscape restoration in Namibia. MSc Thesis (2010). University of Maryland, USA.
• Vercruijsse, L. Patch use as an indicator of habitat preference or competition for the cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) in North-Central Namibia. MSc Thesis (2010). Wageningen University, Netherlands.
• Stein, A.B., Erckie, B., Fuller, T.K. and Marker, L. Camera trapping as a method for monitoring rhino populations within the Waterberg Plateau Park, Namibia. Pachyderm No. 48, pp. 67-70. July–December 2010
• Stein, A. B., Fuller, T. K., DeStefano, S. and Marker, L. L. (2011), Leopard population and home range estimates in north-central Namibia. African Journal of Ecology, 49, 383-387. September 2011. Click here for abstract.
• Crosier, A.E., Comizzoli, P., Baker, T., Davidson, A., Munson†, L., Howard†, J., Marker, L.L. and Wildt, D.E. Increasing Age Influences Uterine Integrity, but Not Ovarian Function or Oocyte Quality in the Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus). Biology of Reproduction 85, 243–253. August 2011
• Lewis Z Hong, Jun Li, Anne Schmidt-Kuntzel, Wesley C Warren, and Gregory S Barsh. Digital gene expression for non-model organisms. Genome Res. gr.122135.111 Published in Advance August 15, 2011, doi:10.1101/gr.123117.111.  

• Terrell, K.A., Wildt, D.E., Anthony, N.M., Bavister, B.D., Leibo, S.P., Penfold, L.M., Marker, L.L., and Crosier, A.E. (2011) Oxidative Phosphorylation Is Essential for Felid Sperm Function, but Is Substantially Lower in Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) Compared to Domestic Cat (Felis catus) Ejaculate. Biology of Reproduction 85, 000–000.

• Terrell, K.A., Wildt, D.E., Anthony, N.M., Bavister, B.D., Leibo, S.P., Penfold, L.M., Marker, L.L., and Crosier, A.E. Different Patterns of Metabolic Cryo-Damage in Domestic Cat (Felis catus) and Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) Spermatozoa. Cryobiology  epub ahead of print Dec. 2011.

• Potgieter, G.C.. The Effectiveness of Livestock Guarding Dogs for Livestock Production and Conservation in Namibia.  For the degree of Masters in Science at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University. Port Elizabeth, South Africa.

• Terrell, K., Crosier, A.E., Wildt. D.E., O’Brien, S.J.  David, V.A., Anthony, N.M.,  Crumples, N., Marker, L.L, Johnson, W.E. Individual Genetic Diversity does not Predict Ejaculate Quality in Captive- or Wild-Born Cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus). The 2011 meeting of the Society for Conservation Biology.  

• Forsythe, K.  & Marker, L. Feeding Ecology of Giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis) in a Fenced Game Reserve in North-Central Namibia. 1st ‘Wild’ Giraffe Indaba. 2011

• Potgieter, G.C., Marker, L.L., Avenant, N.L. and Kerley, G.I.H. The Effectiveness of Livestock Guarding Dogs for Livestock Production and Conservation in Namibia.  South African Wildlife Management Association (SAWMA)  Annual Conference. 2011

• Farhadinia, M. S., Hosseini-Zavarei, F., Nezami, B., Harati,  H., Absalan, H., Fabiano, E. & Marker, L. L. 2012 Feeding ecology of the Asiatic cheetah Acinonyx jubatus venaticusin in low prey habitats in Northeastern Iran: implications for effective conservation. Journal of Arid Environments 2012 December; 8:206-2011. Click here for Abstract.

Papers Submitted:

• Terrell, K. A., Wildt, D.E., Anthony, N. M., Bavister, B.D. Leibo, S.P., Penfold, L.M., Marker, L.L. and Crosier, A.E Glycolytic Enzyme Activity is Essential for Domestic Cat (Felis catus) and Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) Sperm Motility and Viability in a Sugar-Free Medium (submitted)
• Mény, M., Schmidt-Küntzel, A., Marker, L. Diagnosis-based treatment of helminths in orphan captive cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus) and a case study of coccidiosis in cubs. Journal of Wildlife Diseases. (submitted).
• Johnson, S., Marker, L., Mengersen, K., Gordon, C.H., Melzheimer, J., Schmidt-Küntzel, A., Nghikembua, M., Henghali, J., Fabiano E., Gaiseb, B., Wachter, B., Viability of the free-ranging cheetah population in Namibia - an Object Oriented Bayesian Network Approach (submitted).
• Stein, A., Fuller, T.K. Damery, D.T., Sievert, L., Marker, L.L. Farm management and economic analyses of leopard conservation in north-central Namibia (submitted).

• Guerier, A., Crawford, S., Schmidt-Küntzel, A., Bishop, J. and Stratford, K. Parentage analysis in a free-ranging population of southern white rhinoceros: Genetic diversity, pedigrees and management.

Papers in Preparation:

• Fabiano, E.C., Nghikembua, M. T., Marker, L.L. Density estimates of cheetahs using camera-traps.
• Fabiano, E., Nghikembua, M. and Marker, L.L., Comparing cheetah density estimates determined using spoor frequency and radio telemetry, in Namibia.
• Fabiano, E.C., Nghikembua, M. T., Marker, L.L, A comparison of density estimates: Do non-target trial based camera trap datasets have any value?
• Forysthe, K. and Marker L. Assessment of Swing Gates as a predator exclusion device. 
• Kaelin, C. et al. Genetics of Tabby patterns in domestic cat and in the cheetah. 

• Forsythe, K., Kreijtz, S., Schmidt-Kuentzel, A. and L. Marker. Diet of the free-ranging Namibian cheetah using prey hair from scat.

• Quirke, T., Forsythe, K., Ramsey, R. and Marker, L. Comparative behaviour of a four female cheetah coalition pre and post release into a large game camp in Namibia. 

• Schmidt-Küntzel, A., Williams, J., Marker, L. A formula-based rearing method for cheetah cubs.

• Marker, L., Forsythe, K., Dickman, A. Pilot Study of Conditioned Taste Aversion Trial on Wild-Caught Leopards.

• Harris, J., Nghikembua, M., Tregenza, T., Marker, L. Interactions between bush encroachment and large carnivore habitat selection: a case study on GPS satellite collared cheetahs in northern Namibia.

• Potgieter, G.C., Marker, L.L.,  Avenant, N.L., and Kerley, G.I.H. The Effective Use of Livestock Guarding Dogs by Namibian Farmers.

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