Africa’s fastest land animal is in danger. In just over a hundred years the number of cheetahs has dropped from 100-thousand to close to 12,000. Now one initiative in Namibia is giving these animals a sanctuary, a place away from the hands of poachers and angry farmers.
Even with a tempting meat treat, Zinzi is not thrilled by her visitors.
She was rescued as an orphan cub — but her release back into the wild five years later was a rare success.
Unlike other big cats, cheetahs struggle to survive in parks and reserves, faring much better in the wild.
Fewer than 12,000 cheetahs survive in the wild today, mainly in Africa. This is down from 100,000 just over 100 years back.
Poachers steal their cubs to sell as exotic pets while farmers kill them to protect their livestock.
American Laurie Marker is founder of the Cheetah Conservation Fund. Upon her arrival many looked at her like she was a wonderwoman, but since then a lot has changed, she says.
Her method has proved popular with farmers: Anatolian shepherd dogs.These big dogs live with the farmers’ herds, discouraging predators simply with their presence.
When cheetah cubs are orphaned, the fund takes them in.Without learning to hunt from their mothers, and raised without a fear of humans, the centre inevitably becomes their permanent home. But they help, in their own way to raise awareness of the plight of their species.
Leslie Mirungu reports.
