​There are three reasons why this workshop was the most exciting one CCB was involved with in 2019. Firstly, because the topic was social science – something that few conservationists are trained in and yet it makes up most of the work we do. When people follow their passion for wildlife into conservation they usually come off the back of zoology or biology degrees, which makes then experts in wildlife. Ironically, when they then progress into the world of conservation, most threats to wildlife are human-induced, and as such, conservationists usually end up focusing their efforts on people and working with them to promote human-wildlife coexistence and to minimise conflict. But few conservationists know even the basics of anthropology or social science. This obvious knowledge gap was something we were hoping to bridge with this week-long workshop at the start of November.
 
The second most exciting element of this workshop was that it was an amalgamation of professionals from all across Botswana ranging from local NGO staff, academics and government officials. Bringing together key staff that work in human-wildlife conflict for this training means that we can have significant impact in how conservation professionals are carrying out their important work in Botswana, increasing efficiency and improving the help we provide communities that are living with wildlife. 
 
The third reason this workshop was so exciting was the fact that it was hosted by one of the most dynamic leaders in conservation – Dr James Danoff-Burg, Director of Conservation Research at the Living Desert Zoo and Gardens in the United States. This workshop was only possible thanks to sponsorship from The Living Desert, and the participants were infected with Dr Danoff-Burg’s passion for conservation and inspired with his thorough deep-dive into the world of social science. Each of the 43 attendees will long remember this workshop as they take all the knowledge they gained and apply it to their respective work on the ground in Botswana. 
 
A huge thank you goes out to the Living Desert Zoo and Gardens for sponsoring this event and to the Botswana Government’s Department of Wildlife and National Parks for their assistance, including allowing us the use of the Botswana Wildlife Training Institute for the workshop. 

​Deep in the Kalahari are the East and West Hanahai communities. CCB embarked on a expedition to engage with these communities on the 11th and 12th November 2019.  The main objective of the participatory introductory meetings in the villages was to introduce CCB and its various programmes and interventions, and to understand current key challenges and opportunities related to natural and cultural resources from the communities’ perspective. Another driving reason was to assess and consider cultural resource management related interventions, while getting to know the stakeholders and players in the communities and current projects being undertaken in both villages.
 
Various stakeholders from Ghanzi DWNP, DEA, DVS, BTO, and Police joined in and participated at both village meetings. Both communities worked very hard and actively participated in the proceedings by outlining what they believe are their challenges, and what areas of development they wish to see implemented in their villages. Participants also listed practical ideas and priorities relating to the main objectives of the meetings.
 
As we get closer to implementation on several projects in the area, it is important that we gain deeper knowledge of the communities we are working with to establish the right interventions to introduce and nurture; working with various stakeholders for the betterment of the people and wildlife. The meetings were a success and CCB hopes to continue working together to sustainably safeguard our natural assets and enhance people’s well-being.

On the 27th of November, Cheetah Conservation Botswana hosted a fun, awareness-raising quiz night in Gaborone in honour of International Cheetah Day (ICD). The 2019 instalment was well received by the private business, other NGO, and general public stakeholders who were invited to register teams of 5 to compete for a bevy of prizes. 
 
Through a partnership with The No.1 Ladies’ Coffee House, the event was hosted at Thapong Visual Arts Centre in Village. Our other event partner, Big Sip Co., added value to the quiz night offerings by producing a limited edition brew - aptly named the ‘Spotted Ale’ - for participants to indulge in. Jan – the brew master behind the specialty ale – called it the fastest brew because it took only 48 hours from inception to perfection. The ale was inspired by characteristics of the cheetah, and Botswana’s premier craft beer company didn’t disappoint in capturing the essence of our beloved feline. 
 
Following welcoming remarks by Rebecca Klein – Executive Director of CCB – the event was off to a heated start. The quiz master for the night was Katlego Kolanyane-Kesupile, CCB’s Marketing Officer, who took the 12 teams through a rigorous set of 5 question rounds. Categories included Miscellaneous Facts, Pop Culture, Geography, and Conservation. With questions ranging from UNESCO Heritage Sites, to the fastest animal on earth (which just so happens to not be the cheetah), to the number of districts north of Mochudi, team compositions were fundamental to their success because the scope of knowledge needed to win was quite broad. 
 
The team which proved themselves to be the best on the night was ‘Team Barclays’, and hot on their heels in second place were ‘Motivators of Positive Change’ from Bank Gaborone. Each of the teams which participated in the quiz walked away with a prize as we’d received generous support from those we had approached. The top prize was from Big Sip Co. – a brewery tour including tastings for the team, branded glassware, and the specialty brew.
 
CCB is grateful for the support shown by the private sector for our efforts in broadening the reach of our education and awareness-raising. Through occasions such as ICD we are able to engage people who might have never considered the plight of the cheetah and the role we can play as people to ensure that they are celebrated and conserved for generations to come. A fun night was had by all, and it is our hope that each connection made will result in stronger working relationships going forward.