Out competed by stronger predators in Africa’s many parks and reserves, the cheetah is being pushed into marginal land, conflict with man and towards extinction. Home to one of the last major populations of free-ranging cheetah in the world, Botswana is an essential stronghold for the species and represents one of the best hopes for its long-term survival. Rural communities are almost completely dependent upon livestock farming for their livelihoods. Human wildlife conflict has had a devastating impact throughout the world and it is an issue largely responsible for the loss of 90% of the cheetah population. Only by working together with communities who live side-by-side with predators, with initiatives tailored to meet their needs and priorities, can conservation succeed. At CCB, we aim to foster the attitudes of coexistence that will see cheetahs remain as an essential component in this remarkable ecosystem and as a flagship species for the rich biodiversity of Botswana.
The project was formed in 2003 to address the threat to the nation’s cheetah population. The major challenge for the project, funded by grant aid and donor support, is one of improving community perceptions towards predators and ensuring that retaliatory killings do not continue to threaten cheetah numbers, while, at the same time, supporting and protecting rural community welfare. The mission statement of CCB is to maintain populations of free ranging cheetahs and other predators in coexistence with communities as an integral part of the ecosystem of Botswana. CCB has 3 main programs: scientific research, based in the outskirts of Ghanzi, community outreach based in Ghanzi and the mining town of Jwaneng and education based at head office at Mokolodi Nature Reserve within the Gaborone region.
Through our scientific research, CCB collects and distributes facts about Botswana’s cheetah numbers, distribution, ecology and threats to the population. It is CCB’s aim that this information will be utilised to improve current conservation management strategies for cheetahs in Botswana. Through our outreach program, CCB aims to provide relevant and effective support to communities affected by predator conflict. CCB strives to decrease losses attributed to predators by raising awareness and promoting the use of effective range, livestock and predator management techniques that support coexistence. CCB aims to provide relevant and inspiring information to the general public, with a focus on the youth of the nation. The project works in partnership with existing structures such as the Ministry of Education, Skills and Development, Ministry of Environment, Wildlife and Tourism, local NGO’s and the Association of Environmental Clubs of Botswana, to promote the importance of predators and environmental conservation.
Education is so important for the young and old alike, in order to build a strong future for conservation. We stage presentations directly in schools nationwide, at Mokolodi Nature Reserve’s education center and at our Tiisano education centre in Ghanzi. We also conduct bush camps for a period of 3-4 days at Tiisano and teacher training workshops for weekends where we promote environmental education and predator conservation with teachers so that they can become better ambassadors and share this information with their learners.
Though we have staged many successful events and activities aimed at helping Batswana change their attitude towards all predators and implement successful methods at protecting their livelihoods, the cheetah still remains Africa’s most endangered cat with only around 10000 wild individuals remaining.
As we enter into our 10th anniversary in 2013, we are looking back at all the good work that CCB has done in Botswana. In 10 years, CCB has done over 110 farmers’ workshops all over the country with informative lectures, over 120 farm visits to help farmers who are particularly vulnerable to losing livestock to predators, supported over 250 farmers to utilise livestock guarding dogs including the provision of free veterinary services, and has conducted studies on cheetah numbers, distribution, movements, prey selection and human wildlife conflict. We have also done over 200 school talks, as well as teacher training workshops, bush camps and we have produced user friendly education materials to supplement our teaching modes.
The picture above captures many of CCB’s activities ranging from school talks, farm site visits, farmers workshops, the livestock guarding dog programme and research activities.
For more information on CCB, please do visit us at:
Cheetah Conservation Botswana
Private Bag 0457, Mokolodi Nature Reserve
Gaborone, Botswana
Tel: +267 350 0613 Fax: + 267 396 0133
