Established in 2010, Cheetah Conservation Botswana (CCB)’s demonstration farm has been set up to showcase non-lethal farm management techniques that can be utilised to reduce livestock depredation. The farm serves as a practical demonstration area for the use of a range of livestock management techniques to minimise predation, optimize herd health and maximise production. The farm is located at CCB’s research camp in Ghanzi and is currently home to 53 goats, three sheep, and two livestock guard dogs (LGD). Due to the incorporation of a slew of responsible management techniques including LGDs, the size of the herd has grown significantly over the years. The demonstration farm is also home to our LGD training facility, where puppies are trained with our LGDs and livestock before being placed with farmers experiencing conflict with carnivores. The LGD programme has proved successful in reducing livestock loss due to depredation and promoting coexistence with carnivores especially cheetahs. During the last quarter of 2017, 12 puppies were trained and placed with farmers within the Ghanzi district. These puppies increased the total number of puppies placed through CCB’s LGD programme to 42 in the Ghanzi area since the programme started back in 2010. We are expecting the next litter of puppies to arrive for training at the farm soon, and we are looking forward to this exercise that we love so much. It brings us joy and feels great to know that we are making real a difference in the lives of farmers while at the same time, making a real contribution to cheetah conservation.
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