Loss of habitat, conflict with humans,[1] as well as its own loss of genetic variation, are the main threats facing the cheetah today.[2] Both within Namibia and worldwide there is now far greater awareness of the value of the cheetah within the ecosystem, and its endangered status. Encouragingly, increasing numbers of Namibian farmers (on whose land the majority of wild cheetah live) are implementing predator-friendly livestock management techniques.
CCF's conservation and educational efforts are supported by on-going research used to develop policies and programs to sustain the cheetah population in Namibia and as a model for cheetah conservation programs in other countries such as Botswana, Kenya, South Africa, Algeria and Iran.[3] The CCF further conducts field research in the Waterberg Conservancy (total 2,000 km2) and the Otjiwarongo farming area (15,000 km2).
This includes a programm on habitat restoration, especially addressing woody plant encroachment. This encompasses testing and monitoring methods of harvesting thickened bush and design a scheme that is appropriate for farmland habitat and is beneficial to the landowners.[4][5] The CCF also produces the Bushblok, a firelog made from encroacher bush.[6][7] It also adds to and maintains an extensive physiological database and a Genome Resource Bank.
The CCF also investigates non-lethal predator mitigation to eliminate the need for ranchers to kill cheetah, and issues relating to cheetah in captivity. Aspects of this program include:
A threat within the cheetah population is
SSP Fact Sheet on the AZA website.
20°29′00″S 17°01′53″E / 20.48333°S 17.03139°E / -20.48333; 17.03139