The Deadly Cheetah Trafficking between Somaliland and the Gulf

The feline is highly sought after by wealthy collectors of wild animals, who are numerous on the Arabian Peninsula. Across the way, in the Horn of Africa, Somaliland has become the main hub of a thriving trafficking network, even as the species itself is under threat. Neptune, Enki, Anuket … The eight young cheetahs pacing in their enclosure have survived against all odds. They all bear the names of water deities because the Somaliland Coast Guard rescued them at sea in September 2025. In total, 11 cheetah cubs – three of which have since died – just a few days old, were crammed into potato sacks hidden in the hold of a dhow. While this traditional boat is usually used for fishing, in the strait separating Somalia from Yemen, it also serves as a vehicle for all kinds of trafficking, including cheetahs taken from the Horn of Africa and bound for Gulf countries. In the opulence of the Gulf petromonarchies, these trophy animals are displayed on social media as the ultimate status symbol, sometimes seated in the passenger seat of luxury cars, sometimes tethered in enormous private zoos. Le Monde