Cheetah Conservation Fund

International Research & Education Centre

Saving the Wild Cheetah

CCF's Centre is located on the 11, 000 hectare farm Elands Vreugde, near Otjiwarongo, Namibia in the heartland of the cheetah habitat. This facility serves as a central base and provides an infrastructure to gather and distribute information. The centre contains research and education facilities available to researchers, students and the public. One of the main focuses of CCF is aiding the farm community in predator management. CCF serves as a resource for farmers and actively promotes awareness of conservation issues. Research is shared with scientists from around the world to learn more about the Cheetahs its habitat and how to ensure the species' survival.

The Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus)

Africa's most endangered cat

Running the race for survival

As the world's fastest land mammal, reaching speeds of up to 110km/hour, the Cheetah is the most specialised of all the 36 species of cats. The Cheetah is designed for speed, versus power like the other large cats. This unique cat has inspired and intrigued people for thousands of years. Royalty has a long history of keeping the Cheetah s pets and hunting companions because of their non-aggressive disposition and incredible hunting ability.

However, today  the Cheetah's survival is in jeopardy!!!

CCF's Mission

To ensure the long term survival of the Cheetah and its ecosystem through a multi-disciplined and integrated conservation program of research and education.

The Problems

The Cheetah is an endangered species with only +- 15 000 individuals in the wild. Rapidly declining Cheetah populations result in a smaller and less diverse gene pool. Thus, healthy populations may be found in fewer than half the countries where Cheetah still live. For the Cheetah to survive, something must be done.

Namibia has the largest remaining population of free-ranging Cheetah in the  world, estimated at 2 500. Ninety percent of Namibia's Cheetah live outside of protected reserves, primarily on commercial livestock farmlands. Approximately 1 000 farmers control the fate of the Cheetah as a threat to their livestock and game and often indiscriminately kill or remove Cheetahs from their land. Conservation of the Cheetah can only be achieved by educating communities about livestock management techniques which are sensitive to both farmers' needs and the Cheetah's survival.

Wild Cheetah Populations Are Jeopardized By:

• Loss of habitat due to rising human populations.

• Conversion of land to agriculture and livestock farming.

• Decline in the abundance of prey species.

• Conflict with livestock farming interests.

• Illegal poaching and trade.

Obtaining Goals

Research - remains an integral part of the organisation.

Bio-medical - CCF collects biological data and samples on the wild Cheetahs. An extensive biological database has been created to assist in    educating the overall health of the wild Cheetah population.

Radio Tracking - to determine to movement of the Cheetah and  the ranges in which they live. CCF radio collars one animal in every group released into the research area.

Ecosystem  - the importance of an ecosystem cannot be underestimated. Intensive studies are done on the ecosystem and the prey base of the Cheetah. The habitat of their prey is also monitored including vegetation studies.

Conservation

Livestock management - to ensure and evaluate livestock management techniques that will assist farmers in non-lethal predator control. One project is the breeding and placement of livestock guard dogs on Namibian farmlands, which has reduced the loss of livestock to Cheetahs and other predators.

Education

CCF tries to make every Namibia aware of the plight of the Cheetah and their role in its long term survival. At CCF's education centre school groups are invited to participate in education programs, consisting of lectures, outdoor activities and meeting a Cheetah. school assemblies throughout Namibia are also a focus of CCF, enabling students to learn about the Cheetah. Teacher training and workshops are also available.

CCF's Objectives

These objectives integrate the needs of both the Cheetah and the Namibia farmer.

• Conduct long-term conservation research and education programs on the Cheetah throughout its range to ensure its survival.

• Identify and research components of farmland ecosystems that are necessary to sustain healthy Cheetah populations.

• Develop conservation management plans which are beneficial to both the Cheetah and farmers.

• Promote livestock management techniques which incorporate non lethal predator control.

• Collect biological samples from the wild Cheetah population to build  an extensive and comprehensive database on their health and genetic makeup.

• Monitor the movements of Cheetah throughout the farmlands by the use of radio-telemetry.

• Research and develop relocation techniques for Cheetah.

• Support multiple use of the farmlands . i.e wildlife conservation, livestock farming and eco-tourism.

• Build  awareness among farmers, educators, students and the general public about the role of the Cheetah in health ecosystems and the need to conserve Namibia's rich biodiversity.

• Collaborate with other research institutions and individuals internationally to help ensure survival of the Cheetah.

You Can Help

The Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF) is a non-profit organization founded in 1990 and is permanently based in Namibia. CCF's efforts encompass education, research and conservation programs for the Cheetah and its ecosystem.

CCF actively works with farmers, public schools, communities and the Namibia government, as well as international researchers and students. CCF welcomes you to join them in their efforts to save the Cheetah. In South Africa CHEETAH OUTREACH  helps support CCF's efforts in Namibia.

In order to better understand the distribution and size of the Cheetah population, we are asking your help. If you see Cheetah, please write and let us know the number of Cheetah, their age, sex and physical condition if possible. The location, date and time of the sighting, and behaviours observed. This and any other information you could provide us about the Cheetah would be most appreciated.

Contact:

 
E-mail: info@namibweb.com

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