Feed Orphan Cheetahs in Namibia

In memory of Chewbaaka, CCF's cheetah ambassador in Namibia for 15 years who passed away in April, CCF is conducting the Chewbaaka Memorial Challenge. All donations up to $300,000 will be matched, dollar for dollar. Chewbaaka was rescued by Dr. Laurie Marker when he was only 10 days old and extremely ill. In the process of saving his life, Dr. Marker and the tiny cub bonded deeply. That bond was evidenced by Dr. Marker and Chewbaaka's trips into the bush, where Mr. C. would climb playtrees and chase lures and always return to Dr. Marker's side afterward. Chewbaaka was an exemplary ambassador for his species, meeting tens of  thousands of people over the years at CCF's headquarters in Namibia. His regal bearing and willingness to be the center of attention while he demonstrated the use of playtrees and the amazing speed of a cheetah was so unique--and it left all visitors with a respect for the species. In the 15 years that Chewbaaka presided over CCF's Visitor's Centre, thousands of Namibian livestock and game farmers visited CCF to learn how to protect their livestock from predators. And in the course of their visit they inevitably met Chewbaaka. By getting up close and personal with this exceptional cheetah, many of the farmers left with a newfound respect for the animal--and a commitment to the nonlethal predator control methods learned at CCF. Chewbaaka, orphaned himself by a farmer, probably prevented hundreds if not thousands of cheetah cubs from being orphaned by farmers by making such an impression on everyone he met during his 15 years at CCF. Please donate during our matching challenge before August 31, and your donations will be doubled! Thank you for supporting the Cheetah Conservation Fund.

Links:

• Read more about Chewbaaka's life at CCF.

On April 3, Chewbaaka, CCF's ambassador cheetah, died peacefully in his sleep, a month after sustaining injuries while tussling with a kudu that had leaped into his enclosure. Chewbaaka was almost 16 years old, which is extremely old for a cheetah. Chewbaaka arrived at CCF when he was less than two weeks old. His siblings had been killed by a farmer's dog, and Chewbaaka was too ill to be released with his mother. Near death, he required round-the-clock nursing by Dr. Marker until he had recovered. The two developed a unique bond that lasted the rest of Chewbaaka's life. Marker often took him out into the bush, with no leash or fences to keep him from leaving, yet he never left her side. He had a regal bearing that everyone who met him commented on. He greeted everyone who visited CCF--from children from nearby schools to celebrities and government officials from all over the world. He demonstrated the use of play trees and the cheetah's unbelievable speed and maneuverability as he chased his lure. He taught people from all corners of the world that cheetahs were not to be feared or hated, but revered. He was one of a kind, and the entire staff of CCF is devastated by his death. RIP dear Chewbaaka.