The Cheetah is a long sleek cat with blunt semi-retractable claws that is renowned for its speed in chasing down preferred prey. The Technical Assessment Panel (TAP) assessed the Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) as being highly dangerous to humans, having a low risk of establishment and a high consequence of establishment.
Following the initial risk assessment, the Department considers permitting the importation of animals assessed as ‘serious risk’ into the State as long as appropriate mitigation measures, enforced through a Wildlife Exhibition Licence, can be identified and applied.
Mitigation options to reduce the risk associated with importing Cheetah include:
- Limiting importation to registered wildlife parks or zoos to ensure the holding facility meets the stringent keeping standards Tasmania applies to all institutions.
- Requiring any wildlife park or zoo to submit a Cheetah species management plan (including enclosure details) prior to import.
- The wildlife exhibition facility can clearly demonstrate they have proficient keepers for that particular species.
Assessment Documentation
Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) Risk Assessment (210 KB)