Five trace elements,including Cu,Zn,Pb,Mn,Se,were determined in the hair of 50 individual cheetahs(Acinonyx jubarus).Cu,Zn were determined by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry(FAAS);Mn,Pb were determined by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry(GFAAS)while Se was determined by atomic absorption spectrometry(AAS).The corresponding amounts of trace elements are significantly different according to different genders.The Cu and Zn amounts in the hair of different age groups differ significantly.The zinc amount increases continuously from sub-adult group to adult group with a peak in the adult group and then a slight decrease in the senior group.The copper amount increases with age.Manganese and lead amounts of different age groups differ little,but tend to increase with age.The selenium amounts of different age groups differ significantly with the peak in the adult group.
