Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF) has initiated various training programmes for farmers focusing on an integrated approach to livestock and predator management as it tries to bring attention to the declining cheetah population.
Dr Laurie Marker, the Director of CCF, says Namibia has the largest cheetah population in the world and it is something the nation should appreciate and try conserve.

She said that farmers are key stakeholders as the majority of Namibia’s cheetahs occur on the north-central commercial farmlands, where farmers produce cattle and small stock.

Marker said, “This places the survival of Namibia’s cheetahs literally in the farmer’s hands. Cheetah Conservation Fund recognises the key role Namibian farmers play in the conservation of this wildlife.”

She said cheetah conservation is about biodiversity conservation, and ensuring that the life-support systems are maintained, and about supporting people living with cheetah and other carnivores so that their livelihoods are enhanced and not threatened.
Marker said, “To assure both a healthy and sustainable ecosystem and appropriate markets – farmers today need to make sure that they farm in harmony with nature. This means applying best farming and wildlife management practices. Today’s national and international consumer is interested in production practices that are environmentally appropriate. This includes concepts of naturally or organically produced and animal welfare considerations.”
CCF is working on raising awareness and educating farmers on using predator friendly livestock management techniques in an effort of preventing further cheetah population decline. The CCF is happy since there are an increasing number of farmers who are adopting predator friendly livestock management techniques, and thus fewer cheetahs are being killed.
Marker said livestock and wildlife today are vital to the economy of the country and if good management practices are applied, greater financial benefits accrue to the farmer. She said this can only be achieved once the systems are fully understood, and thus the need for on-going education in sustainable farming practices.
“Through learning about and implementing predator-friendly livestock and game management practices, predators are appreciated as a natural component of a healthy ecosystem. Through the use of these management practices, predator conservation is not contrary to the needs of humans. CCF’s motto is - We can live together,” said Marker.
One of the means that can be used to benefit both humans and the livelihood of the cheetah is livestock guard dogs.
Dr Bruce Brewer, the General Manager of CCF said since these guard dogs are bred with livestock, they are part of the herd. He said their presence is there to guard by barking loudly whenever there is a threat and will only attack if the predator persists.
Brewer said CCF started the livestock guard dog programme in 1994 by using the Anatolian Shepherd dog breed from Turkey that has been used there for over 6000 years to protect sheep from wolves.