Celebrating International Dog Day: Canine Heroes in Cheetah Conservation

Today we're celebrating International Dog Day, so our team decided to spotlight the incredible role they play in our conservation efforts at the Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF). While cheetahs are at the heart of our mission, our remarkable dogs are the unsung heroes working tirelessly to protect these magnificent big cats.

The Vital Role of Dogs in Cheetah Conservation

At CCF, we're not just about cheetahs - we're also home to some extraordinary dogs who are essential to our conservation work. These canines contribute to our mission in two primary ways: as Livestock Guarding Dogs and as Scat Detection Dogs.

Livestock Guarding Dogs

Our Livestock Guarding Dog (LGD) programme is one of CCF's most successful initiatives. We breed LGDs at our model farm in Namibia, carefully selecting traits that make them excellent guardians. These dogs are then placed with farmers in areas where human-wildlife conflict is high.

Using their imposing presence and loud bark, LGDs warn off predators like cheetahs, preventing them from attacking livestock. This programme has been proven to reduce livestock losses to predators by up to 90%. By protecting livestock, LGDs help change farmers' attitudes towards cheetahs, reducing retaliatory killings.

Scat Detection Dogs

Scat Detection Dogs are another crucial part of our canine conservation team. These specially trained dogs are skilled at identifying and locating cheetah scat in the field. This allows us to study cheetahs without disturbing them, making it an invaluable, hands-off research method.

The collected scat is analysed in CCF's genetics lab, providing crucial information about individual cheetahs. Through scat analysis, we can determine a cheetah's sex, diet, and origin, offering vital insights into their behaviour and needs. The data collected often shows that cheetahs typically do not prey on livestock, helping to address human-wildlife conflicts.

Our Scat Detection Dogs and their handlers often meet farmers during their work, serving as ambassadors for cheetah conservation and opening doors for positive discussions about coexisting with wildlife.

The Impact of Our Canine Programmes

These dog programmes are more than just conservation tools - they're changing the narrative around cheetah-human conflict. By preventing livestock losses, our dogs help reduce tension between farmers and wildlife. As farmers see the effectiveness of these dogs, they're more likely to view cheetahs as less of a threat.

How You Can Help

Our canine heroes need your support to continue their vital work. Your contributions help us breed, train, and care for our Livestock Guarding Dogs and Scat Detection Dogs. You can also help by spreading the word about CCF's dog programmes with your friends and family. We encourage you to visit our website to discover more about our work and the role of dogs in cheetah conservation.

To donate and help us care for our dogs and maintain these crucial programmes, please visit: https://cheetah.org/uk/livestock-guarding-dogs/

Together, we can ensure a future where cheetahs and humans coexist harmoniously, with a little help from our four-legged friends. Happy International Dog Day!