The cheetah gene pool is small today primarily due to multiple bottleneck events in its history. These include disease outbreaks, hunting and habitat destruction, which have reduced the population size and genetic diversity of cheetahs. Inbreeding in zoos has also contributed to the shrinking gene pool, as it leads to a higher risk of genetic disorders and reduces the overall health and adaptability of the species. Additionally, the lack of advantageous traits and poor adaptability further exacerbate the challenges faced by cheetahs in maintaining a diverse gene pool.
