Cheetah Conservation Fund Canada has entered into a partnership agreement with CCF Namibia called “The Canada Project”.
The Canada Project allocates donations from Canadians to various innovative programs in Namibia that are helping to ensure the survival of the wild cheetah and its ecosystem. We support four main programs:
Cheetah Sponsorship
Rainbow shortly after arriving at CCF Namibia at 3 months of age.
CCF Namibia cares for orphaned, old or injured cheetahs that cannot be released back into the wild as they do not have the skills or physical capability to survive. Although CCF is not a welfare centre, it does accommodate these non-releasable cheetahs. If another approved home becomes available, CCF relocates these cheetahs to an alternate captive facility. However, many of these cheetahs are permanent residents of CCF.
With the donations received from Canada, two of these cheetahs are now sponsored by Canadians who have generously donated through Cheetah Conservation Fund Canada. Learn more about this program and Canada’s cheetahs, Rainbow and Aurora!
Our Goal: To raise $15,000 in order to support three cheetahs in 2014.
Livestock Guarding Dog Program
One of the most successful programs is the Kangal/Anatolian Shepherd Livestock Guarding Dog Program.
On the job with a herd of goats.
These special dogs, raised and bred at CCF Namibia headquarters, are given free to Namibian farmers. The dogs protect livestock from cheetah attacks, barking loudly whenever they see a cheetah or predator, scaring the big cats away. Farmers no longer need to kill cheetahs or other predators in order to protect their livestock and their livelihood. The program has greatly reduced human/wildlife conflict, and saved the lives of countless cheetahs.
With the donations received from Canada, we have been able to support several guarding dogs. Learn more…
Our Goal: To support 10 puppies per year at a total cost of $15,000
School Outreach Program
Every year, ~20,000 school children in grades 5-7 participate in CCF’s outreach to schools. The educational program highlights Namibian predator identification, ecological and physiological characteristics of the cheetah, and problems associated with human/cheetah conflict.
Young Namibian students learning about cheetahs onsite at CCF
These programs help raise awareness about the importance of saving all wildlife including cheetahs. In addition to assembly sessions at schools, CCF Namibia welcomes school groups and day visitors on-site at their Field Research and Education Centre and also hosts weekend camps for schools.
With the donations received from Canada, CCF Namibia will be able to teach even more children about the importance of conservation and ways in which to achieve a good balance between human interaction with their environment.
Our Goal: To contribute $20,000, reaching 2,500 children at approximately 22 schools.
Future Farmers of Africa (FFA)
CCF Namibia developed Future Farmers of Africa (FFA) to teach farmers, students, educators and policy makers about the value of sustainable practices in farming and conservation. Highlights of this training include:
- Livestock and wildlife management techniques.
- Non-lethal predator management techniques, including the use of livestock guarding dogs.
- Sustainable forestry practices that fight bush encroachment and restore habitat.
Dr. Marker teaching proper identification of predator kills to farmers
The training is carried out either as 1-week training courses at CCF’s Centre, or through visits to farming communities, farm association meetings or agricultural shows.
Through demonstration of modern agricultural practices, CCF Namibia is helping to enhance the livelihoods of Namibian farmers and residents, while at the same time reducing the number of cheetahs killed by farmers. A true win-win situation.
With the donations received from Canada, CCF Namibia will be able to provide training to even more farmers.
Our Goal: To donate $20,000 in order to reach 2,000 farmers
Our donation goals are significant, and we need your help to be able to achieve them. There are many ways you can support these important conservation programs – learn more here.
