CHEETAH CONSERVATION FUND NEWSLETTER PO Box 1755 Otjiwarongo, Namibia [email protected] FIFTH ANNUAL “CELEBRATION of SPEED and ELEGANCE”
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Number 19 September 2003 CHEETAH CONSERVATION FUND NEWSLETTER PO Box 1755 Otjiwarongo, Namibia www.cheetah.org [email protected] FIFTH ANNUAL “CELEBRATION OF SPEED AND ELEGANCE” Speed – In previous centuries, we admired the cheetah for its speed – one which we could not hope to match. The cheetah has evolved through millions of years to be the fastest land mammal, and yet today is running its most important race, for its very survival. The outcome of this race depends on each and every one of us. Elegance – To see the elegance of a cheetah running wild, we must ensure this vision for future generations. As stated so eloquently by Jonathan Kingdon: “Of the many ways of measuring land’s wealth, one of the surest signs of ecological richness and diversity is an abundance of predator species.” Here in Namibia we have the honour of sharing our land with the world’s most elegant predator of all, the cheetah. With thee words, Dr. Laurie Marker, Executive Director of the Cheetah Conservation Fund, welcomed all attendees to the Fifth Annual gala dinner and auction, “Celebration of Speed and Elegance” held at the Windhoek Country Club on 19 July 2003. The evening’s theme, Young Cheetah Friends, inspired by a design by artist Susan Mitchinson and tied into the stories of non-releasable cheetahs housed at CCF, served to remind the audience of the importance of keeping Namibian cheetahs wild and why CCF exists: to maintain a habitat and work with people so that cheetahs can live wild and free. Dr.Patrick Bergin, President & CEO of the African Wildlife Foundation (AWF) was the evening’s feature and talked about why large landscapes are the future for African conservation, stating that “wildlife can support people.” Over The Right Honourable Prime Minister, Theo-Ben Gurirab, and Mrs. Gurias, the 40 years since its founding AWF has the evening special guests, view the auction items with Dr. Laurie Marker invested in the people of Africa for (CCF’s Ex. Director), Dr. Arthur Bagot-Smith (CCF Chairman - behind) conservation. Dr. Marker followed Dr. and H.E. Leonard Iipumbu, the Namibian Ambassador to the U.S. (left). Bergin’s talk by saying , “this is what makes them a nice role model for CCF, because we also believe in investing in farmer from Helmeringhausen, who has demonstrated his ability to live and farm in harmony with predators. people..” Dr. Patrick Bergin, President & In addition, an award that acknowledges the hard work of NGOs in Once again, the popular Tangenyi CEO of the African Wildlife Namibia was presented to Mr. Garth Owen-Smith and Dr Margaret Erkana was the evening’s Master of Foundation, during his Jacobsohn of the Integrated Rural Development & Nature Ceremonies. Among the 300 guests was presentation regarding the Conservation (IRDNC) for their work in community-based natural the Guest of Honour, the Right importance of large landscapes resource management. Honourable Prime Minister of Namibia, in the future for African Theo-Ben Gurirab; the Namibian conservation. In this issue.... Ambassador to the U.S., H.E. Leonard Fifth Annual “Celebration of Iipumbu; and the Kenya High Commissioner, H.E. T.H. Dado. In his speech, Speed and Elegance” 1 the Prime Minister commended Dr. Marker on the role that CCF has played in Namibia’s conservation. Conservationists of the year 2 An auction of 100 items donated by Namibian and international businesses Cheetah Ecology & Biology 3-4 and artists raised nearly N$50,000. One of the featured auction items was a 18kt pink tourmaline pendant, donated by the Sand Dragon in Omaruru. Editorials 5-6 These funds will assist CCF in furthering its research and educational goals, and thus accomplish its motto: “We Can Live Together.” The Cheetah Livestock Guarding Dogs 7 Conservation Fund extends a warm thank you to everyone who contributed Community News 8-10 to the success of the 2003 Celebration of Speed and Elegance. For the fourth year in a row, CCF recognised local people whose work Education Update 11-13 has made meaningful contributions to conservation in Namibia. CCF’s International News 14-15 Phone:+264 67 306225 Conservationist of the Year Award was presented to two farmers: Petrina Fax: +264 67 306247 Hîkas, a communal farmer from Khorixas, and Timm Miller, a commercial Thanks to our Supporters 15 CHEETAH CONSERVATION FUND NEWSLETTER VOLUME 19 • SEPTEMBER 2003 1 CHEETAH CONSERVATIONISTS OF THE YEAR For the fourth consecutive year CCF paid tribute Petrina is very concerned about the use of poison he was the first farmer in his area to obtain an to outstanding conservation efforts by Namibians, within commercial and communal areas, and is Anatolian Shepherd from CCF. In 2002 CCF staff by presenting Conservationist of the Year awards. an active member of her Farmers’ Association. undertook the almost 2000km round trip to This year, two farmers were honoured. She is a strong proponent of good farming prac- Timm’s farm to look at his dog. Timm was nice tices, because she knows the difficulties of farm- enough to arrange for our staff to address his Petrina Hîkas was born on a farm near Kalkfeld. ing. Hers is an outstanding example of how sus- Farmers’ Association meeting. Interestingly, As an adult, she started thinking about settling tainable farming practices can help people and during that meeting CCF staff learned that Timm with her family down, and managed to buy some wildlife to live together. was the only farmer in the area who did not have livestock and first farmed in a communal area near jackal, or other predator problems. Khorixas. In 2001 she heard about CCF’s Live- Timm Miller began farming in 1999 on his stock Guarding Dog Programme, and applied for grandmother’s farm in Helmeringhausen, after Timm represents an excellent example of a one of the puppies. CCF staff worked with her in obtaining a BSc in Agriculture with a Major in farmer who has implemented conservation- placing the puppy, and is very impressed with the Nature Conservation. He farms with Boer and minded approach to the benefit of his farming excellent care she has given it. That puppy is now Angora goats, karakul sheep, and cattle, along operation, thus breaking the mold of one of the most successful working dogs, because with high densities of game species and traditional southern farmers, and setting an she managed to provide it with the right care and predators—including leopard, cheetah, jackal, example to all Namibian farmers. training to ensure the safety of her livestock. caracal, and African wild cat. To prevent losses, THE CHEETAH CONSERVATION FUND AND ITS BOARD OF DIRECTORS CONGRATULATE CONSERVATIONISTS 2003 CCF Conservationist of the Year Award 2003 CCF General Conservation Award Petrina Hîkas (2nd from left) and Timm Miller (far right) with Dr. Margaret Jacobsohn(middle) and Garth Owen-Smith(right) CCF staff Siegfriedth !Aebeb (left) and Bonnie Schumann. with CCF Chairman, Dr. Arthur Bagot-Smith. And thank all the supporters and sponsors of our this year’s “Celebration of Speed and Elegance” African Curiotique & Embassy of the USA Marko Spares, Otjiwarongo Sam’s Giardino Hotel Souvenirs Ernst Holtz Pty, Ltd Martin Harvey Seelenbinder Furs Amani Lodge Falkennest, Otjiwarongo Melle Orford Sense of Africa Amy Schoemann Ferreira’s Garden Centre Ministry of Basic Education, Shell Bank Windhoek Flink Frame Culture and Sport SMC Brands Namibia Barden Motors Francois De Wet Mount Etjo Safari Lodge Ltd. BEKA Lighting Gallery International Mud Hut Trading Solitaire Press Beth Braker & Tom Scott Gamsberg Macmillan Namdeb Standard Bank Brazilian Publishers Namibia Breweries Ltd. Stuttafords Bush Made Namibia Gathemann’s Restaurant NamibRand Nature Reserve Super Trade Bush Pillow, Otjiwarongo General Suppliers, Naua Naua Guest Lodge Susan Mitchinson Bushman Art Gallery Otjiwarongo New Creations Art Studio The Gourmet Inn & Carol Petersen Gerald W. Leitner Juwelier Okakango Nursery Restaurant Cecile Renard Harold Pupkewitz Omaue Namibia The Gun Shop Claudia & Wynand du Plessis Helena Brandt Ombo Ostrich Farm The Juice Factory Commercial Bank Hendrik Vrey Otjibamba Lodge The Ligthhouse Pub & Crafts from Namibia Ideal Creations Otjiwarongo Arms & Ammo Restaurant Cymot Insurance Unlimited Out of Africa Town Lodge The Miller Family Daktari Jenny’s Place PG Glass Namibia (Pty) Ltd. The Sand Dragon DeKrone Enterprises Joe’s Beerhouse Polytechnic of Namibia VCS Computer CC Die Galerie John Rogers Raleigh International Walton Stationery Co. Dieter Voigts Kameldorn, Otjiwarongo Red Earth Namibia, Ltd. Don Haywood Kenya High Commission Retief Sales Promotion Weylandt’s Warehouse Dunlop Kim Donaldson Rhino Park Veterinary Clinic Wilderness Safaris EasyFit Cupboards Leder Chic Robyn Nel Windhoek Country Club Elniconi Flowers M & Z Rossing Foundation 2 CHEETAH CONSERVATION FUND NEWSLETTER VOLUME 19 • SEPTEMBER 2003 CHEETAH ECOLOGY &BIOLOGY RADIO-TRACKING CHEETAHS – 1993–2000 Excerpt from Laurie Marker’s Home range Waterberg PhD - Aspects of Cheetah Plateau Park In order to distinguish (Acinonyx jubatus) Biology, cheetahs that, following Ecology and Conservation release, were able Strategies on Namibian immediately to resume their Farmlands. natural movements from those who were translocated In May 1993 the Cheetah Otjiwarongo outside their familiar area, Conservation Fund initiated we studied movement one of the most intensive radio- Farms parameters with respect to tracking programmes for release distance. Stable cheetahs in Africa, home ranges revealed by encompassing a study area of radio tracking indicate that some 17,928 km2 in north- an animal released up to 100 central Namibia. The land use km2 from its capture site in this area is primarily might still be within its commercial cattle and wildlife normal home range. farming. At the time the study Fourteen cheetahs were was initiated, almost nothing translocated during the was known of the movement study, of which six (21.4%) patterns of cheetahs in Namibia Variation of home ranges of some of the cheetahs were moved outside of (+90% occur on commercial CCF radio-tracked over time.