- The cheetah is listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List for endangered animals
- One third of the entire cheetah population live in central Namibia
- The leopard's range of distribution has decreased radically over the last few years due to
hunting and loss of habitat.
- Commercial farmland provides the habitat for 90% of the national cheetah population
In order to reduce human wildlife conflict and help protect and conserve large wild carnivores,
N/a‘an ku sê started an exciting research program in early 2008 tracking cheetahs and
leopards on Namibian farmland.
Our program builds on 11 years of field work and expertise of Okatumba Wildlife Research, one of
the leading carnivore research initiatives in Namibia. Under the leadership of Birgit and
Harald Förster, OWR captured 250+ cheetahs and greatly contributed to the knowledge available
on Namibian carnivores; including sound management, home ranges and population estimates.
We work closely with the Ministry of Environment and Tourism and other official bodies such as
the Large Carnivore Management Association of Namibia (LCMAN).
»»» Sustainable Solutions: We are working to find a sustainable and
successful solution for re-locating problem animals, ie those that are proven livestock predators,
so they are no longer shot and killed. In the past year, we have moved seven leopards and nine
cheetahs out of direct conflict to various conservation areas.
»»» Re-establishment: We are re-establishing a cheetah population in two
conservation areas where they are currently low.
»»» Reducing human-wildlife conflicts: Farmers often come into conflict
with large carnivores which can pose a threat to their livestock. We strongly believe that
farmers and large carnivores can co-exist on commercial farmlands and our research project plays
a pro active role in trying to reduce the conflict.
»»» Providing sound scientific data on the ecology, activities,
densities, home ranges and territories of large carnivores in our study area.
»»» Protection: We are helping local farmers manage and protect their
livestock from predators and prevent further livestock killing.
»»» Education: We are working closely with local farmers to dispel the
myth that all cheetahs and leopards are a danger to their livestock thus helping to conserve the
species.
»»» Cheetah footprint identification software: we have started a joint
project with WildTrack! to develop the first ever cheetah footprint ID software. This can be used
as a monitoring tool for free-ranging cheetah populations across Africa.
Join our research team to help us reduce human-wildlife
conflict and conserve big cats through a range of
interesting activities.
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