Push to save endangered cheetahs

A cheetah sitting in a fence. [Photo/China Daily]

Marker says she has slowly managed to change attitudes through a mixture of knowledge, charm and determination.

"At first I was kind of a problem, (but) I started bringing different solutions like dogs that guard livestock, good herd management, and training programmes," she said.

"The more I told them about cheetahs, the more they were listening.

"I'd tell them they're lucky to have cheetahs in their backyard, and I would acknowledge it can be a problem due to human-wildlife conflict."

The most effective tactic for protecting livestock has proven to be introducing large Anatolian shepherd dogs that live permanently with the cattle.

Wild predators like cheetahs are reluctant to take on the fierce canines, and so they return to hunting antelope in the bush.

But Marker knows that the cheetahs are still under severe threat and will always be a difficult animal to save because they struggle even in the biggest reserves.

Training

A cheetah lacks the power of a lion, hyena or leopard and, where animal densities are higher and competition is tough, cub mortality can be as high as 90 percent.

"Namibia and the farming community here has become a model," said Marker. "Now young farmers want training about how to live with cheetahs. Most of our wildlife is outside protected areas, so it is the farmers who are the stewards.

"I don't just say 'Love cheetahs'. I say 'Let's learn to live together'."

GIANLUIGI GUERCIA/AFP

GIANLUIGI GUERCIA/AFP