The Farming for Conservation (FFC) department of the organization is showing great signs of improvement with its Livestock Guarding Dog (LGD) programme. The programme is part of our carnivore-safe farming strategies which enable farmers to develop their ability to coexist with carnivores. As of the first quarter of 2020, the number of active dogs placed and monitored by CCB stands at an impressive 53. These dogs are living with and assisting farmers in our communities of operation in the Ghanzi district.
The 21 dogs which were monitored in the first quarter were found to be in remarkably good health, which attests to both the training given to the farmers regarding their care, as well as the conditions these farms are kept in. Prior to being assigned to farms, the dogs are trained as puppies at the CCB demonstration farm in Ghanzi.
At present, there are 11 puppies in initial training. These puppies are expected to be placed with their farmers during the month of April when they are ready – all conditions permitting. Due to the proven success of the LGD programme, CCB is dealing with a back log of requests from farmers. As a result, a dual training model is to be trialled where some puppies are placed with 3 of our model farmers, while others undergo training at CCB’s demonstration farm.
We hope that through working with farmers who have experience working with LGDs we will be able to shorten the lag between puppies being available for training and for placement with farmers. Additionally, this approach will enabled us to train a good number of dogs at a time without crowding them in one kraal – which often poses management challenges, including increased chances of disease outbreaks and parasite loads. The organization is proud of the FFC department’s work, and thankful to all the stakeholders – especially our model farmers – who continue to contribute to the success of this programme aimed at promoting farmer wealth and coexistence with wildlife.
The 21 dogs which were monitored in the first quarter were found to be in remarkably good health, which attests to both the training given to the farmers regarding their care, as well as the conditions these farms are kept in. Prior to being assigned to farms, the dogs are trained as puppies at the CCB demonstration farm in Ghanzi.
At present, there are 11 puppies in initial training. These puppies are expected to be placed with their farmers during the month of April when they are ready – all conditions permitting. Due to the proven success of the LGD programme, CCB is dealing with a back log of requests from farmers. As a result, a dual training model is to be trialled where some puppies are placed with 3 of our model farmers, while others undergo training at CCB’s demonstration farm.
We hope that through working with farmers who have experience working with LGDs we will be able to shorten the lag between puppies being available for training and for placement with farmers. Additionally, this approach will enabled us to train a good number of dogs at a time without crowding them in one kraal – which often poses management challenges, including increased chances of disease outbreaks and parasite loads. The organization is proud of the FFC department’s work, and thankful to all the stakeholders – especially our model farmers – who continue to contribute to the success of this programme aimed at promoting farmer wealth and coexistence with wildlife.
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