CCB MD, Rebecca Klein
Cheetah Conservation Botswana (CCB) is this year celebrating 10th anniversary and the non-governmental organisation says it looks back at the good work it has done to help sustain the predator populations of Botswana and to support people to manage human-wildlife conflict.
It said in a celebratory note to Mining & Travel Review that over the years, it has initiated over 110 farmers workshops around the country with informative lectures on farm management, maximising grazing and herd health as well as how to farm to minimise losses to predators.
“With this knowledge, many more farmers are using responsible and sustainable management techniques to improve their farming and to limit their livestock losses to predators, with no need for the lethal control of predators,” says CCB, adding that its community staff has conducted over 120 farm visits to help farmers who are particularly vulnerable to losing livestock to predators.
“Our expertly trained staff helps farmers with individually tailored solutions to predator problems that have the potential to not only reduce losses to predators but also may increase productivity of your herd and improve the health of your farm. CCB also encourages the use of livestock guarding dogs (LSGDs) by providing free spaying of LSGDs and by conducting competitions for the “Best LSGD in Botswana”.
The organisation has also placed a strong emphasis on educating the next generation as to the importance of conserving the country’s wildlife and the environment. Over the last decade CCB’s education officers have conducted numerous school talks and activities, with weekend and weeklong education bush camps at our education facilities.
CCB also conducted a number of teacher-training workshops and has produced educational materials, DVDs and teachers aids. By reaching young children we inspire the future leaders to respect and utilize Botswana’s rich sources of wildlife.
“As Botswana moves away from the consumptive use of wildlife like hunting and encourages non-consumptive utilisation of wildlife like tourism, a delicate balance must be maintained for the coexistence of wildlife with humans to succeed,” reveals CCB. 
“Botswana is quickly gaining a reputation as being one of the most environmentally aware countries in the world, but without human wildlife coexistence, the country will suffer either environmentally or socially. Cheetah Conservation Botswana is determined to support people to avoid damage caused by wildlife and help to facilitate the progress of Botswana’s environmental conservation.”
“Thank you to the people and farmers of Botswana who have assisted us in this important work over the last decade. We look forward to working with you for many more years to come.”
CCB was founded in 2003 with the aspiration to be a conservation organisation that not only protected cheetahs and other predators, but promoted empowerment within the communities in the country known for its protection of natural resources.
