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STUDENT
STORIES

Scholar

finds lead

in captive

cheetahs

Catherine examines
cheetah tibia bones

Wildlife vet, Catherine Hauw studied lead exposure Her study determined that another species was also
in cheetahs and leopards as part of her master’s likely to have been affected by lead exposure. Being
degree. Her three-week placement at a conservation opportunistic scavengers, wild leopards eat carcasses
sanctuary in Namibia was made possible by a and offal that hunters leave behind. Whereas wild
scholarship from the ACT. Her study, thought to be the cheetahs were found to be at less risk because they kill
their own prey and therefore don’t ingest lead fragments.
first of its kind, discovered that captive cheetahs were
unknowingly being fed lead-contaminated meat. Passionate to help protect endangered wildlife, Catherine
is calling for a transition to non-lead ammunition. She
Working with big cats in the savanna was an enlightening thinks change may take time because the cost of non-
experience. Catherine said: “Being in the field surrounded lead ammunition is more expensive and is not always
by cheetahs every day was a dream come true. Mornings compatible with the rifles hunters use.
often started with waking up to the sight of these Catherine used to imagine that her ‘perfect day involved
magnificent animals, followed by days filled with research.” a successful surgery on a big cat patient’ but this
Catherine’s study involved collecting tibia bones of research opportunity changed Catherine’s perspective.
cheetahs and leopards before sending them to a She revealed: "As a wildlife vet in Southern Africa, I
can contribute to conservation efforts across different
laboratory in Japan for testing. By analysing the bones, sanctuaries. Recently thanks to my MSc in Wild Animal
she was able to ascertain the animal’s lifetime exposure Health at the RVC, I’ve realised that through research
to toxins such as lead. The results revealed that captive I can have a global impact on conservation and the
cheetahs had the highest amount of lead in their bones environment." Catherine is now studying for a PhD that
compared to wild leopards or wild cheetahs. At first, focuses on lead toxicity in mammalian carnivores.
it wasn’t clear why, so Catherine interviewed local hunters Thanks to generous support from the Aitchison-Tait Trust,
and butchers. She learned they hadn’t switched to non- we can fund up to two Wild Animal Research Scholarships
lead ammunition, revealing that the meat cheetahs were per year. Charitable trusts and legacy gifts empower us
fed was contaminated with lead. Catherine, said: "Lead to support students like Catherine and improve animal
affects cognitive function and cheetahs need to exhibit health and conservation around the globe.
heightened awareness when reintroduced into the wild to Keep up to date with Catherine's work on Instagram
optimise their chances of survival". @wildlifevet_cat

Catherine examines a cheetah
Dr Catherine Hauw explained:

There are only 6,500 cheetahs in
the world and their reproductive rates are
very slow. It is thought that lead decreases
sperm motility, potentially hindering
the ability of rehabilitated cheetahs to
reproduce effectively in the wild.

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