Cheetah Conservation Fund

Category: Cheetah - Education | Date: Dec 30 2008 | By: cheetahconservation

“I learned to appreciate and respect everything in nature, that’s the domestic and the wild animals, as well as the plants. I learned that everything in nature has its place and that we all depend on each other in one way or another. I learned many ways of becoming a good farmer, one who knows how to work in harmony with nature and not against it because it is easier that way.” With these words one of the participating high school learners nicely summarised CCF’s second week-long educational holiday camp this year for high school learners presented for Namibia ’s Future Farmer’s of Africa, by CCF in partnership with the FNB Foundation.

To achieve CCF’s vision: “to see a world in which cheetahs live in co-existence with people and the environment”, it is important that all stakeholders undertake a concerted effort to identify and implement viable solutions efficiently, addressing this challenge of international importance. Therefore it is imperative that the seed of this thought is planted at its earliest possible stage in the mature minds of our future leaders, the youth of today.” CCF’s programme, ‘Future Farmers of Africa’ targets Namibia ’s custodians of farmland, which essentially includes their sons and daughters.

The course, which I coordinated, shares with the students their current influence on and future role they play in the conservation of Namibia ’s fragile natural resources. Students are integrated into CCF’s conservation and habitat restoration efforts.

Whereas, most sessions of the course were presented by CCF staff members, external expertise was sourced to lecture on the most common wildlife species found on Namibian farmland. Mr Bernd Gaerdes, a commercial livestock producer, tour guide and committed conservationist was again invited for this purpose. Roeber stated that “Learners found Mr Gaerdes’s presentation, supported by a field trip, very interesting and enlightening, especially as he managed to explain both the role and the interconnection of various species in the farm ecosystem.”

Participating high school learners were exposed to the world of cheetah conservation, which essentially included learning about ongoing research at CCF, the farmland ecosystem. Sustainable livestock farming, an integral part of most Namibian’s life, was also extensively addressed; herd and rangeland management, animal health and nutrition, as well as management to prevent losses to predators were a part of the course.

With completion of the course, learners had the chance to meet the cheetah face to face, understand the farm ecosystem and realise what responsible role Namibian farmers play in conservation of resources and the production of food. FNB Foundation’s investment in Namibia ’s youth and their contributions needs to be applauded.

More courses for high school learners will be presented next year.

Happy New Year!

Gunther Roeber

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