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Most cheetahs held in captivity don’t live for very long. For decades zoo keepers and scientists have been trying to figure out why. Adrian Tordiffe sets out the findings of new research that suggests it’s got to do with the fact that they develop diseases, particularly of the gut, because their metabolism is affected by what they’re fed.
The US is going to have less and less of a presence in Africa. The main beneficiary, diplomatically, will be China, followed by the Europeans and perhaps even Russia, though it doesn’t have much to contribute except arms sales. These are the views of the former head of the National Intelligence Council under the Obama administration who spoke to Peter Vale.
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The cheetah population almost halved since 1975 with only an estimated 7,100 left in the wild today.
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Adrian Tordiffe, University of Pretoria
Captivity isn't kind to cheetahs where most develop diseases that are unusual in big catsm. It's never been clear why this is the case, but understanding their metabolism might provide the answer.
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Politics + Society
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Peter Vale, University of Johannesburg
Under the Trump administration Africa is only likely to matter in the fight against terrorism and in providing American companies with economic opportunities.
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Boniface Dulani, University of Cape Town; Michael Bratton, Michigan State University
Zambia has gone from a country where people engaged freely in open political debate to one where most people now look over their shoulders to see who’s listening.
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Health + Medicine
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Stuart Ali, University of the Witwatersrand; Francesc Xavier Gomez-Olive Casas, University of the Witwatersrand
Although hypertension can easily be detected in Africa, up to half of the population are unaware of their condition.
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From our international editions
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George Burgess, University of Florida
As the Discovery Channel and National Geographic Wild unleash a week of dueling shark programs, a biologist advises viewers to take what they see with a large grain of sea salt.
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Dr Heidi Seage, Cardiff Metropolitan University
Understanding how your brain responds to food could be the key to losing weight
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