Cheetahs face poaching, retaliating and preemptive killings as a threat (CCB About Cheetahs, 2020). The spotted cheetah coat is sought out and is part of the reason they are hunted (Panthera Threats Facing the Cheetah, 2020).
Livestock farmers have a misconception and think cheetahs prey on a lot of their livestock, even though studies have shown that livestock is less than 6% of a cheetahs diet (CCB About Cheetahs, 2020). This misconception leads to retaliating killings or preemptive killings of cheetahs CCB About Cheetahs, 2020). Cheetahs hunt during the day to avoid conflicts with other predators (Sjogren, 2017). Since they hunt during the day they are more visible to humans, resulting in the misconception that cheetahs are responsible for livestock loss, which in turn increases human-cheetah conflicts (Marker, 2003).
Cheetah Conservation Botswana has a Farming for Conservation program that helps farmers implement inexpensive carnivore control methods to curb losses and improve productivity and livelihoods (CCB Farming for Conservation, 2020). Farmers can have livestock guarding dogs to help protect their livestock from carnivores and thieves (CCB Farming for Conservation, 2020). The Cheetah Conservation Fund began their Livestock Guarding Dog program in 1994 (CCF Human Wildlife Conflict, 2020). When a livestock guarding dog is present livestock loss is reduced by 80% to 100% (CCF Human Wildlife Conflict, 2020).
Cheetah Conservation Botswana also has a demonstration farm where they demonstrate farm management methods that are environmentally-friendly and how to protect livestock from predators (CCB Farming for Conservation, 2020). Their Farmers Workshop provides information and training to farmers and networking within the community (CCB Farming for Conservation, 2020). The Cheetah Conservation Fund also has a model farm where they work with farmers to investigate, develop and implement predator-friendly livestock and wildlife management techniques (CCF Human Wildlife Conflict, 2020).
If a farmer in Botswana is having a conflict with a cheetah they can contact Cheetah Conservation Botswana at +267 651 1596. Farmers in Namibia can also contact the Farmer Carnivore Help Hotline at 264 227 5139 or on the daytime (08:00-17:00) only number 067 306 225.
Literature Cited
Cheetah Conservation Botswana. (2020). About cheetahs.
Cheetah Conservation Fund. (2019, April 30). CCF livestock guarding dog appeal [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8SHtW_Umk8o
Cheetah Conservation Fund. (2020). Human wildlife conflict.
Hoffman, H. (2015, May 28). Framed cheetah [Photograph]. Flickr.
Marker, L. (2003). Reducing conflicts between Namibian farmers and cheetahs. International Wildlife Management Congress,184-187. file:///C:/Users/reedt/Downloads/reducing-conflicts-between-namibian-farmers-and-cheetahs (1).pdf.
Panthera. (2020). Threats facing the cheetah. https://www.panthera.org/cat/cheetah
Sjogren, R. (2017, December 11). Cheetahs: Fast facts about world’s fastest cat. National Geographic: National Geographic Society Newsroom.
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