Namibia’s cheetah dogs
The Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF) center in Otjiwarongo, Namibia, founded by US doctor Laurie Marker, started breeding Anatolian livestock dogs to promote cheetah-friendly farming after some 10,000 big cats - the current total worldwide population - were killed or moved off farms in the 1980s. Up to 1,000 cheetahs were being killed a year, mostly by farmers who saw them as livestock killers.
But the use of dogs has slashed losses for sheep and goat farmers and led to less retaliation against the vulnerable cheetah.
A cheetah lies on a mound of earth at the Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF) centre in Otjiwarongo, Namibia.
The Cheetah Conservation Fund breeds, trains and places Livestock Guarding Dogs with Namibian farmers, working with farmers throughout the dog’s career.
Farm worker Theo Awochab walks with a herd of goats on Retha Joubert's farm near Dordabis in Central Namibia. Retha's farm is part of the CCF's Livestock Guarding Dog programme.
Anatolian shepherd dog Bonzo leads a herd of goats on Retha's farm near Dordabis in Central Namibia.
5 year old Bonzo was trained and placed on the farm by the CCF's Livestock Guarding Dog Programme.
The terrain on the farm is vast and dense making it easy for predators to camouflage themselves. Cheetahs hunt during the day, mainly on open farmland, putting them at greater risk for conflict with livestock farmers than other large carnivores.
Bonzo, keeps an eye out for predators while herding the goats.
Anatolian Shepherd puppy Nussie, remains on a lead during her training as a second guard dock for the livestock.
Four month old Nussie works with Bonzo as part of her training.
The goats and shepherds return home after a day of grazing.
At the end of a long day, Bonzo is fed on the patio of the farm house.
Nussie is fed near her bed in the goats shed where she will spend the night guarding the livestock.
A goat investigates Nussie's food bowl.
Still keeping a watchful eye, Nussie looks over the side of the goat shed where she sleeps.
Farm owner Ritha Joubert hugs Anatolian Bonzo on Joubert's farm near Dordabis in Central Namibia. LGDs have reduced livestock losses for 91% of farmers involved in the programme.
Cheetahs hunt by day and exist mainly on open farmlands, so they are at a greater risk for conflict with livestock farmers than other large carnivores.
Over the past 25 years, 634 CCF Livestock Guarding Dogs were placed across Namibian farmlands significantly reducing the use of lethal control methods against predators.