The conflict mitigation study project started off a year ago in the settlement of Kacgae in the Western Kalahari. Conflict is high in their settlement because they are located within a wildlife corridor. CCB chose to work with the village in providing technical assistance and advice to the 10 farmers selected by villagers to take part in the pilot project to test some mitigation farming methods against predators. The contractual agreement was to host the farmers for a 2 day workshop in Ghanzi to prepare them for the journey, build 10 kraals for selected farmers, and provide livestock guarding dogs, shelter for the dogs, provide free veterinary services and food for the dogs for a year. Monitoring and evaluation of the project progress is carried every fortnight and it is to go on for 3 years. This year, we decided to host a celebratory anniversary in the village on the 6th of April to appreciate the hard work that the 10 farmers and villagers have put forward in making the pilot study a success. About 200 people attended the event which was beyond our expectations but proved that the community appreciated our input.
Also, invited to the event were stakeholders from the public sector, the village elders, Ghanzi Farmers Association members, villagers and CCB representatives. Different speakers of the day were all given the chance to share information with the crowd ranging from the history of the village, the challenges of human wildlife conflict, government initiatives that are in place to help communities improve their livelihoods, simple farming methods of non-lethal predator control and the progress of the mitigation project. Some of the 10 farmers were given the chance to share their farming experiences with predators before and after CCB intervention, and one farmer went to the extent of naming his dog CCB! The day was wrapped up with a tour of the 10 kraals by the guests of honour to see the goats and livestock guarding dogs and lunch was served.
The success of the pilot project once again showcases CCB’s commitment in not only preserving the cheetah, other predators and their habitats but also in working and supporting the farming communities improve their welfare through their farming activities. In turn, we are hoping that they can react positively to wildlife conservation and adapt to the use of non-lethal predator control methods towards the ultimate goal of coexistence. Only by working side by side with the affected communities can conservation succeed.
Also, invited to the event were stakeholders from the public sector, the village elders, Ghanzi Farmers Association members, villagers and CCB representatives. Different speakers of the day were all given the chance to share information with the crowd ranging from the history of the village, the challenges of human wildlife conflict, government initiatives that are in place to help communities improve their livelihoods, simple farming methods of non-lethal predator control and the progress of the mitigation project. Some of the 10 farmers were given the chance to share their farming experiences with predators before and after CCB intervention, and one farmer went to the extent of naming his dog CCB! The day was wrapped up with a tour of the 10 kraals by the guests of honour to see the goats and livestock guarding dogs and lunch was served.
The success of the pilot project once again showcases CCB’s commitment in not only preserving the cheetah, other predators and their habitats but also in working and supporting the farming communities improve their welfare through their farming activities. In turn, we are hoping that they can react positively to wildlife conservation and adapt to the use of non-lethal predator control methods towards the ultimate goal of coexistence. Only by working side by side with the affected communities can conservation succeed.
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