Cheetahs are in trouble. With just 7,000 left in the wild in Africa, populations have been in a continuous decline due to trophy hunting, habitat loss, retaliatory killings, and dealers looking to sell them to the wealthy. National Geographic editor Rachael Bale shares what she saw at the trial of a notorious cheetah smuggler and explores how Somaliland is battling the illegal cheetah trade.

For more information on this episode, visit nationalgeographic.com/overheard

Want more?

To see Nichole’s pictures and read Rachael’s reporting, check out their article “Cheetahs for Sale.”

Can’t learn enough about cheetahs? Our Cheetah 101 video lays out the basics of cheetah biology and conservation 

In Somaliland, droughts are a major driver of human conflict with wildlife. You can read more about the effects of these droughts here. ​​

Also explore:

If you enjoyed this episode of Overheard, you might also like Guardians of the River, winner of first-ever Tribeca Film Festival Podcast Award

The eight-episode series—produced by National Geographic Explorer Catherine de Medici Jaffee—follows scientists and members of the local community as they strive to protect the Okavango river system in southern Africa.

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