Cheetah Conservation Fund
Otjozondjupa
The Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF), located 44 kilometers east of Otjiwarongo in Namibia, is a renowned research and education institution focused on the study and preservation of the country's cheetah population, considered the largest and healthiest worldwide. Founded in 1990 by conservation biologist Laurie Marker, the CCF addresses critical threats such as habitat loss, human-wildlife conflict, and genetic diversity decline. The center promotes predator-friendly livestock management, conducts extensive field research in the Waterberg Conservancy and Otjiwarongo farming areas, and develops habitat restoration programs to mitigate woody plant encroachment. Notably, CCF pioneered the Livestock Guarding Dog Program, which provides farmers with non-lethal methods to protect livestock from predators. The institution also advances assisted reproduction techniques, including artificial insemination, in vitro fertilization, and cryopreservation, to combat inbreeding in captive cheetahs and enhance genetic diversity. Through education, research, and sustainable farming practices, the CCF serves as a global model for cheetah conservation, influencing programs in countries like Botswana, Kenya, South Africa, Algeria, and Iran.
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Tip: Visitors are encouraged to plan their visit during Namibia's cooler months for a more comfortable experience. Booking tours or educational programs in advance is advisable due to limited capacity. The center offers educational exhibits and opportunities to learn about predator-friendly farming and conservation efforts. Visitors can support conservation by purchasing products like the Bushblok firelogs made from invasive bush. Discounts may be available for students and groups. Contacting the center ahead of time via phone or their website can provide updated visitor information and special event schedules.
Interesting facts
- •The CCF manages a Genome Resource Bank to preserve genetic material of cheetahs for future research and breeding.
- •The Livestock Guarding Dog Program has significantly reduced livestock losses to predators, promoting coexistence between farmers and wildlife.
- •CCF produces Bushblok, a firelog made from invasive woody plants, helping restore habitat while providing sustainable fuel.
- •Artificial insemination and in vitro fertilization techniques developed by CCF allow breeding of sexually incompatible or geographically separated cheetahs.
- •Cheetahs can reach speeds of up to 70 mph (113 km/h), making them the fastest land animals.
- •The CCF's research includes monitoring and managing cheetah populations across a 15,000 km² farming area and a 2,000 km² conservancy.
History
The Cheetah Conservation Fund was established in 1990 by Laurie Marker, a conservation biologist dedicated to preserving Namibia's cheetah population.
Over the decades, it has evolved from a research initiative into a comprehensive conservation organization, pioneering predator-friendly livestock management and assisted reproduction techniques to enhance genetic diversity.
Key milestones include the development of the Livestock Guarding Dog Program and the establishment of extensive field research sites in the Waterberg Conservancy and Otjiwarongo farming areas.
The CCF's work has expanded internationally, influencing cheetah conservation strategies worldwide.
Place Guide
Research and Education Centre1990
The hub of CCF's conservation efforts, featuring educational exhibits on cheetah biology, threats, and conservation strategies. Visitors can learn about predator-friendly farming and the center's innovative programs.
Livestock Guarding Dog Program
A groundbreaking initiative where specially trained dogs protect livestock from predators, reducing the need for lethal control and fostering coexistence between farmers and cheetahs.
Genome Resource Bank
A facility preserving genetic material such as embryos and gametes from cheetahs, enabling assisted reproduction techniques to maintain genetic diversity in both wild and captive populations.
Bushblok Production Facility
This facility produces sustainable firelogs from invasive woody plants, helping restore natural habitats while providing an eco-friendly fuel source for local communities.
Contact
Phone: 067 306 225
