The Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF) was founded in 1990 by Dr. Laurie Marker. CCF's mission is to be an internationally recognised centre of excellence in research and education on cheetahs and their eco-systems, working with all stakeholders to achieve best practice in the conservation and management of the world's cheetahs. As Namibia has the largest and healthiest population of cheetahs left in the world, CCF's International Research and Education Centre is based in Namibia, near Otjiwarongo.
CCF's stance is that understanding the cheetah's biology and ecology is essential to stabilise the population and manage its sustainability for the future. Its strategy to save the wild cheetah is a three-pronged process of research, conservation and education, beginning with long-term studies to understand and monitor the factors affecting the cheetah's survival. Results of these studies are used to develop conservation policies and programmes to sustain its populations. CCF actively works with local, national and international communities to raise awareness, communicate, educate and train. Some of CCF's approaches include:
- conducting intensive scientific research and publishing papers on research findings--in cheetah genetics, biology, ecology, health and reproduction, human impact, and species survival, including assistance with the management of captive and free-ranging cheetah throughout the world. CCF also develops and implements non-lethal predator control and other better livestock management practices. These include CCF's Livestock Guarding Dog Programme, and the relocation of problem cheetahs, which attempt to eliminate the need for ranchers to kill cheetah.
- creating and managing long-term conservation strategies for the cheetah throughout their range. CCF researchers develop, test, and promote alternative land-management practices such as conservancy development, and eco-tourism.
- carrying out local and international conservation education programmes to illustrate ways in which the species can be protected, by addressing community upliftment and predator-conflict resolution. CCF also creates and disseminates education materials worldwide.
- building capacity in countries that still harbour cheetah populations. The international programme currently includes distributing CCF materials, lending resources and support, and providing training throughout Africa and the rest of the world.
CCF is a proactive organisation that finds practical solutions to help people to help the cheetah and this is reflected in the CCF Vision: "We see a world in which cheetahs live and flourish in co-existence with people and the environment".
CCF's Programmes
CCF's work to save the wild cheetah and its wilderness habitat is successful because it works on all aspects of the cheetah's plight, through education and public outreach, applied conservation biology and management, public policy, and science and research.
While CCF's main headquarters are in Namibia (SW Africa), its reach and vision is worldwide. Efforts are currently underway in Kenya, South Africa, Botswana, and Iran to help develop new conservation programmes or support existing cheetah conservation efforts. Here is a brief overview of main programme areas.
Contact: Dr Laurie Marker, cheetah(a)iway.na