Change for the Cheetah’s Future: A 2025 Update from the Cheetah Conservation Fund
Founded in 1990 by Dr. Laurie Marker, the Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF) has been at the forefront of efforts to save the cheetah from extinction for more than three decades. With fewer than 7,000 cheetahs remaining in the wild, CCF's mission to be the internationally recognized center of excellence in the conservation of cheetahs and their ecosystems is more critical than ever.
Expanding Conservation Efforts
CCF's headquarters in Otjiwarongo, Namibia, continues to serve as a world-class research, education, and conservation center. The facility includes a Model Farm, the Dancing Goat Creamery, a Cheetah Museum, the Life Technologies Conservation Genetics Laboratory, and the Haas Family Veterinary Clinic. In Somaliland, the Cheetah Rescue and Conservation Centre (CRCC) was completed in 2023, and now serves as a sanctuary and rehabilitation center for cheetahs rescued from the illegal wildlife trade and cases of human-wildlife conflict, and functions as the primary intake point for confiscated cubs, offering housing and a dedicated quarantine area. In 2024, construction began on a new Education Centre at the CRCC. The new facility will include classrooms, a welcome center, and a museum highlighting the regional biodiversity in the Horn of Africa.
Addressing Human-Wildlife Conflict
Over 90% of Africa’s wild cheetahs live outside protected areas. Instead these cats live alongside human communities and domestic animals in shared landscapes, which puts them at a great risk of coming into conflict with people or livestock. CCF works directly with farmers to implement predator-friendly livestock and wildlife management techniques. The Future Farmers of Africa program educates farmers on sustainable practices, while the Farmer Carnivore Help Hotline offers 24/7 support for addressing human-wildlife conflicts.
Livestock Guarding Dog Program
Since 1994, CCF's Livestock Guarding Dog Program has bred and placed Anatolian shepherd and Kangal dogs with Namibian farmers. These dogs bond with livestock herds and use their presence and loud bark to deter predators. The program has proven highly effective, with livestock loss reduction rates reported from 80 to 100 percent. The success of this program has also helped shift attitudes towards predators, fostering coexistence between humans and wildlife.
Bushblok: Turning Invasive Bush into Sustainable Energy
Habitat loss due to encroaching thornbush and human development is a significant threat to cheetahs. CCF's Bushblok initiative addresses this issue by processing invasive bush into high-heat, low-emission, compacted logs for use as cooking fuel or home heating. This program not only restores cheetah habitats but also provides sustainable energy and employment opportunities for local communities in Namibia.
Advancing Genetic Research
Understanding genetic diversity is vital for effective conservation. In 2025, CCF hosted 'ConGen Global,' an international conference focused on the application of genomic technologies towards biodiversity conservation. CCF's own genetic research played a key role in up-listing the Northeast African cheetah, the subspecies of cheetah in the Horn of Africa to 'Endangered' status on the IUCN Red List in 2023.
Community Empowerment and Education
CCF believes that empowering communities is essential to long-term conservation success. Through leadership skill programs and the Future Farmers of Africa initiative, CCF equips community leaders and farmers in both Namibia and Somaliland with predator-friendly practices and sustainable land management techniques.
How You Can Help
CCF offers a wealth of resources, including fact sheets, research papers, and educational materials, available to anyone interested in cheetah conservation. Volunteers are welcomed at CCF's centers, and opportunities exist for individuals with diverse backgrounds, including business, finance, law, marketing, public relations, event organizing, graphic design, report writing, proposal writing, fundraising, and administrative skills.
Every person has the chance to make a difference. By educating others, supporting conservation efforts, and advocating for wildlife, you can contribute to the survival of cheetahs and the preservation of their ecosystems.
“You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you. What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.”
— Jane Goodall
Visit www.cheetah.org to learn more about CCF and how you can help.