“As the MoERD wildlife officers and veterinary students we’ve helped train become more proficient at their jobs, we anticipate the numbers under our care will only grow. Our temporary shelter was designed to be just that – a short-term solution – a safe place to hold the animals until we complete a permanent sanctuary. But the sanctuary will not be ready in time to help us manage the current situation or get us ready for the next influx of cubs,” said Dr. Marker.
Call to Action
To help navigate this crisis, CCF is calling on corporations, private foundations, conservation partners and individuals to please join the fight. CCF must raise at least $10,000 USD each month to support the temporary shelter operations and help care for the animals until the new sanctuary is ready. To complete the sanctuary, which includes building materials and development of water and electricity, an additional $200,000 is needed. These emergency funds will help CCF house, feed and provide veterinary care for cheetahs intercepted from the trade, paying for cheetah food (fresh meat, the greatest expense), medications, milk replacement formula, vitamin and calcium dietary supplements, vaccines, animal caretaker allowances, and rent and utilities for the temporary shelter.
The burden of managing this crisis is overwhelming, yet it is completely necessary. CCF is the only cheetah conservation organization working on the ground in Somaliland on this issue, for cheetahs and other wildlife. Dr. Marker believes CCF must provide leadership, and she stresses the urgency of the situation.
“We estimate the number of cubs being poached from Horn countries each year to be around 300. This is also the same number of adult cheetahs living outside protected areas in these countries, which is where the cubs are being taken. At this rate, wild cheetahs will soon become locally extinct,” said Dr. Marker. “We need help to end this crisis before it is too late.”
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