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Cheetah Conservation Fund

About | Solutions | Impact | Donate | Stories

CCF maintains a field base in Namibia.

CCF works internationally and maintains a field base in Namibia, the country with the largest population of wild cheetah.
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Cheetahs are one of Africa's most endangered big cats.

Cheetahs are famous for their speed and agility but are also one of Africa’s most endangered big cats. Their numbers have declined by 90% over the past 100 years, dropping from 100,000 to less than 10,000 today. The main reasons for the decline are human-wildlife conflict, disappearing habitat, and loss of prey.

Founded in 1990, Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF) is dedicated to saving the cheetah. CCF works internationally and maintains a field base in Namibia, the country with the largest population of wild cheetah. Employing a holistic approach that balances the needs of people, wildlife, and land, CCF’s success has inspired a nation that once viewed this species as vermin to proudly claim the title, “Cheetah Capital of the World.”

CCF’s work with conflict mitigation, and their education and outreach programs are being replicated in other cheetah-range nations and serve as a model for carnivore conservation programs around the world. CCF’s Field Research and Education Centre in Otjiwarongo is open to the public 364 days a year. Visitors can interact with CCF scientists and learn about CCF’s livestock guarding dogs, model farm, and wildlife conservancy. Overnight guests may opt to spend a few days at CCF’s Cheetah View Lodge for an immersive cheetah experience.

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Cheetah - CCF (Dr. Laurie Marker)
CCF operates under the principle that the key to sustainable conservation lies in improving the livelihoods of people. When human beings’ needs are met, they are more likely to care about biodiversity and become stewards of the planet.
Dr. Laurie Marker

Dr. Laurie Marker, Founder and Executive Director

Recognized as one of the world’s leading experts on cheetahs, Dr. Laurie Marker is a pioneer in cheetah research, conservation, and farmer-carnivore conflict mitigation. As the cheetah curator at Oregon’s Wildlife Safari, she first traveled to Namibia in 1977 to conduct pioneering research with a cheetah she raised to study the potential for reintroducing captive-born cheetahs into the wild. During this trip, Laurie was shocked to learn of the violent conflict between livestock farmers and cheetahs that was driving the species toward extinction. In the early 1980’s her collaborative research with the Smithsonian and the National Cancer Institute helped discover the cheetahs lack of genetic diversity, and she joined the Smithsonian in 1988 to continue research and find a way to help the cheetah survive in the wild.

In 1990, Dr. Marker established CCF and relocated to Namibia. Her early studies took her farm-to-farm to find out why farmers were shooting cheetahs. By understanding the farmers’ problems, she developed solutions that not only stopped the senseless killing, but also began changing the way people viewed predators in Africa. Over the years she has developed a large biological and ecological database on wild cheetahs, working on nearly 900 wild cheetahs and releasing over 600 back into the wild by working closely with the livestock farming community.

Dr. Marker has received many international awards for her work, including the Tyler Prize for Environmental Achievement, the premier award for environmental science, environmental health and energy. She was also named a “Hero for the Planet” by TIME Magazine and is an A.D. White Professor at Large with Cornell University.

Conservation Solutions

Icon Tackling Wildlife Crime
Icon Restoring Habitat
Icon Reducing Conflict
Icon Scientific Research
Icon Expanding Education
Icon Boosting Local Economies
Icon Guiding Policy
Icon Promoting Health

Cheetah Safe House

In Somaliland, CCF supports the seizure of cheetahs destined for the illegal pet market. CCF’s veterinary team oversees the care for confiscated cheetahs at our Cheetah Safe House, built specifically for cheetah cubs recovered from the pet trade. To date, 97 samples have been extracted and genotyped to detect the animals’ origins and reduce trade in key areas.

BushBlok

CCF is working on a long-term research and development project, called “Bushblok,” to restore habitat while developing a renewable fuel source. Overgrown thorn bush is harvested and made into high-heat, low-emission fuel logs for consumer use. As the Bushblok program grows, CCF creates new biomass energy potential.

Livestock Guarding Dogs

CCF’s Livestock Guarding Dog (LGD) program is proven to reduce livestock losses to predators. A breed of Anatolian shepherd and Kangal dogs are placed with Namibian farmers as puppies. The puppies bond with the herd or flock. As they grow up, their size and loud bark help to deter predators. Farmers with a LGD are less likely to lose livestock, and thus less likely to trap or shoot cheetahs in retaliation.

Life Technologies Conservation Genetics Laboratory

Cheetah Conservation Fund’s “Life Technologies Conservation Genetics Laboratory” is the only fully-equipped genetics lab located directly on-site at a conservation facility in Africa. From this facility, CCF collaborates with scientists around the globe. Research not only benefits the cheetah and its ecosystem, but other big cats and predators as well.

Museum & Camp Lightfoot

CCF’s Education Center and Cheetah Museum provides detailed information about the cheetah: its history, physiology, importance within the ecosystem, conflict with humans, and what CCF is doing to ensure the species’ survival for future generations. At Camp Lightfoot, tens of thousands of students have participated in CCF’s overnight environmental courses.

Model Farm

The key to securing a future for the cheetah is to secure the livelihoods of the people who share its habitat. To help Namibians expand their income, CCF’s Model Farm program inspires Namibian farmers to engage in wildlife-friendly agricultural ventures. CCF also breeds and trains livestock guarding dogs on the farm and produces cheetah-friendly products like goat cheese, fudge, and honey.

Ending the Illegal Pet Trade

CCF is a founding member of the Coalition Against Wildlife Trafficking (CAWT), a public-private coalition started by the US Department of State. CCF also works with the Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species (CITES) to address issues such as law enforcement, demand reduction, procedures for the placement of confiscated cheetahs, and cybercrime.

Genome Resource Bank

CCF uses best-practice techniques for storing cheetah sperm, tissues, and blood samples in its Genome Resource Bank (GRB). These materials provide insurance for the cheetah’s survival. Cryopreservation methods continue to be studied and refined in collaboration with the Smithsonian Institution in the US. As a result, CCF maintains one of the largest GRB’s for an endangered species.

Icon Tackling Wildlife Crime

Cheetah Safe House

In Somaliland, CCF supports the seizure of cheetahs destined for the illegal pet market. CCF’s veterinary team oversees the care for confiscated cheetahs at our Cheetah Safe House, built specifically for cheetah cubs recovered from the pet trade. To date, 97 samples have been extracted and genotyped to detect the animals’ origins and reduce trade in key areas.

Icon Restoring Habitat

BushBlok

CCF is working on a long-term research and development project, called “Bushblok,” to restore habitat while developing a renewable fuel source. Overgrown thorn bush is harvested and made into high-heat, low-emission fuel logs for consumer use. As the Bushblok program grows, CCF creates new biomass energy potential.

Icon Reducing Conflict

Livestock Guarding Dogs

CCF’s Livestock Guarding Dog (LGD) program is proven to reduce livestock losses to predators. A breed of Anatolian shepherd and Kangal dogs are placed with Namibian farmers as puppies. The puppies bond with the herd or flock. As they grow up, their size and loud bark help to deter predators. Farmers with a LGD are less likely to lose livestock, and thus less likely to trap or shoot cheetahs in retaliation.

Icon Scientific Research

Life Technologies Conservation Genetics Laboratory

Cheetah Conservation Fund’s “Life Technologies Conservation Genetics Laboratory” is the only fully-equipped genetics lab located directly on-site at a conservation facility in Africa. From this facility, CCF collaborates with scientists around the globe. Research not only benefits the cheetah and its ecosystem, but other big cats and predators as well.

Icon Expanding Education

Museum & Camp Lightfoot

CCF’s Education Center and Cheetah Museum provides detailed information about the cheetah: its history, physiology, importance within the ecosystem, conflict with humans, and what CCF is doing to ensure the species’ survival for future generations. At Camp Lightfoot, tens of thousands of students have participated in CCF’s overnight environmental courses.

Icon Boosting Local Economies

Model Farm

The key to securing a future for the cheetah is to secure the livelihoods of the people who share its habitat. To help Namibians expand their income, CCF’s Model Farm program inspires Namibian farmers to engage in wildlife-friendly agricultural ventures. CCF also breeds and trains livestock guarding dogs on the farm and produces cheetah-friendly products like goat cheese, fudge, and honey.

Icon Guiding Policy

Ending the Illegal Pet Trade

CCF is a founding member of the Coalition Against Wildlife Trafficking (CAWT), a public-private coalition started by the US Department of State. CCF also works with the Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species (CITES) to address issues such as law enforcement, demand reduction, procedures for the placement of confiscated cheetahs, and cybercrime.

Icon Promoting Health

Genome Resource Bank

CCF uses best-practice techniques for storing cheetah sperm, tissues, and blood samples in its Genome Resource Bank (GRB). These materials provide insurance for the cheetah’s survival. Cryopreservation methods continue to be studied and refined in collaboration with the Smithsonian Institution in the US. As a result, CCF maintains one of the largest GRB’s for an endangered species.

Impact by the Numbers

700 Fill 1 Created with Sketch.

livestock Guarding Dogs bred and placed with Namibian livestock farmers since 1994

2,000 Fill 1 Created with Sketch.

acres of land was given to CCF by the government of Somaliland

This land will be used to develop a permanent sanctuary for cheetahs rescued from the illegal wildlife trade

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cheetahs rescued from the illegal wildlife trade and cared for in at CCF's sanctuary

$500 will sponsor a Livestock Guarding Dog for a year providing food, veterinary care, and support to a local farmer.

$1,000 will sponsor the costs of a week’s training for 10 farmers, helping improve their livelihoods for a lifetime to come.

$5,000 will sponsor an orphaned or injured cheetah living in CCF’s Cheetah Sanctuary for one year. Some cats will be rehabilitated and reintroduced to the wild, while others depend on CCF’s care for life.

Catch Dr. Laurie Marker's Expo Presentation

Dr. Laurie Marker and Annetjie Siyaya of Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF) share how they are protecting cheetahs and how CCF is rapidly responding to the growing illegal pet trade.

News & Stories

Celebrating a Quarter Century of Cheetah Conservation

Celebrating a Quarter Century of Cheetah Conservation

It often takes time- and a lot of determination- for a big conservation vision to become successful. Twenty-five years ago,... Learn More
Cheetah Conservation Fund Celebrates 25 Years

Cheetah Conservation Fund Celebrates 25 Years

Twenty-five years ago, Dr. Laurie Marker started Cheetah Conservation Fund to save the cheetah in Namibia, one of its most... Learn More
CITES Pushes for Further Cheetah Protection Against Pet Trade

CITES Pushes for Further Cheetah Protection Against Pet Trade

You may have seen the photos on Instagram—a cheetah, perfectly posed, on top of a luxury car, or in front,... Learn More
Racing for Cheetahs

Racing for Cheetahs

Dr. Laurie Marker, Founder of the Cheetah Conservation Fund, writes about the support of athletes for animals. CCF Ambassador Anna... Learn More
We’re All in this Together

We’re All in this Together

Cheetah Conservation Fund is dedicated to saving the cheetah in the wild. The cheetah lies at the heart of everything... Learn More
Photography Credits: Cheetah Conservation Fund, Ken and Michelle Dyball, Arnel DeLeon, Suzi Eszterhas, Steve Mandel, Tom Stahl
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