Wildlife Conservation Namibia Project #2578

Help Dogs Save Cats

by Cheetah Conservation Fund

Project Report | Apr 8, 2025
Scat Searching, Wild Landscapes, & Hidden Wonders

By Cheetah Conservation Fund Staff | Cheetah Conservation Fund

Enya with CCF staff

Namibia boasts of contrasting landscapes; one moment you may find yourself traversing lush green fields dusted with vibrant yellow wildflowers and glistening water puddles, and the next, the land transforms into an arid and rocky expanse. This makes road trips through this beautiful country incredibly adventurous! These are my exact sentiments when I think back to an exciting trip that I was on a few weeks back, to the Fish River Canyon. The purpose was to identify cheetah marking sites and collect scat samples, which will be used for genetic studies on free-ranging cheetahs in Namibia. I accompanied Tim, CCF’s dog handler, along with Enya, an exceptionally intelligent and enthusiastic scat detection dog.

The Fish River Canyon lies in the southern region of Namibia and is surrounded by vast semi-arid, dry, and rocky plains, with scattered thickets, the occasional golden grass, and quiver trees standing as lone sentinels. The rugged and harsh nature of this land makes one wonder how anything could possibly survive there. And yet, the land is teeming with wildlife, including mountain zebras, kudus, oryx, ostriches, giraffes, leopards, brown hyaena, and, of course, cheetahs.

The days in the field were spent navigating through farms, stopping at landmarks such as towering rock bolts and ancient, gnarled trees in the hopes of locating cheetah marking sites. The first few days were particularly challenging. The sun was merciless, rising early and heating the ground to near unbearable temperatures, and it would only cool down during sunset. Enya would tire quickly, forcing us to leave her in the shade by midday while we continued the search on our own. One of the most thrilling parts of our expedition was a drive deep into the canyon itself, where we followed steep and narrow trails, and it almost felt like being on a rollercoaster ride.

Though we were not able to find many marking sites on that day, we did come across a beautiful gorge of turquoise water, brimming with fish nestled in the canyon. And as if to remind us of Namibia’s unpredictability, a heavy downpour escorted us on our way back to the accommodation. According to the farm manager, the rain was one of the heaviest the game farm had seen all year, and by the next morning, the once rock-hard roads became treacherous mudslides.

The most rewarding moment came on our final day. After spending three long days collecting only a handful of samples and barely identifying any marking sites, we visited neighbouring farms—where we found what seemed to be a hidden mine of cheetah scat. We identified a total of twelve marking sites, some adorned with multiple cheetah spoor, further validating their presence. We collected so many scat samples on that day that what had first been an exciting discovery slowly started feeling almost overwhelming. Aside from cheetah scat, we also opportunistically collected a bounty of other carnivore samples—primarily brown hyaena from latrines, along with a few leopard and jackal scat along the way. Serving as a perfect finale to a week of tireless hard work.

Aside from the research, long drives, and heat, this trip truly was a reminder of the raw, untamed beauty of Namibia. From the wildlife that somehow manages to thrive in these incredibly harsh conditions to the breath-taking views of the second largest canyon in the world, down to the rich history of the land. Once again reinforcing the importance of actively trying to conserve all this nature.

Enya indicating cheetah scat in thicket

Enya in search of cheetah scat

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Dec 9, 2024
N#A-JAQNA Conservancy Trip

By CCF Staff | Cheetah Conservation Fund

CCF Staff, Eveline and scat dog, Gamena

I recently had the incredible opportunity to embark on an adventure, to the N#a-Jaqna Conservancy with CCF’s scat detection dog Gamena. This trip was particularly special as it was our first field expedition together.

With her keen sense of smell and boundless energy, she was ready to tackle the challenges of the field. This was our first trip together as a team, and I was eager to see how she would perform in a real-world setting. From the moment we set foot in the conservancy, I could sense her excitement and readiness to work.

Our primary goal for this trip was not only to find cheetah scat, but to collect as many predator scats as we can find, as this is crucial for our research and conservation efforts. We set out early in the morning, and it wasn’t long before she made her first significant find, with her nose to the ground, she led me to a spot under a tree where we discovered our first hyena latrine, the rest of the day was equally thrilling and Gamena continued to impress me with her determination. We discovered several more scat samples, each find adding to the excitement and our growing dataset and as the sun began to set, casting a golden glow over the conservancy, we made our way back to camp. Reflecting on the day’s events.

However, the highlight of the trip came when Gamena had her first field indication, of what I think is African wild dog scat. She looked up at me, signaling that she had found something significant. It was a moment of pure connection and understanding between us. We had trained for this but seeing it in action was incredibly fulfilling. The pride and excitement we both felt in that moment were indescribable.

Our first trip together in the N#A JAQNA Conservancy was more than just a success; it was the beginning of a journey filled with promise and potential. Gamena proved herself to be an invaluable asset to our team, and I couldn’t have been prouder of her achievements. As we continue our work together, I look forward to many more adventures and discoveries, knowing that with Gamena by my side, anything is possible.

CCF Scat Dog, Gamena

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Aug 16, 2024
Snake Aversion Training

By Cheetah Conservation Fund Staff | Cheetah Conservation Fund

LGD Snake Aversion Training with Everline

For 30 years, our Livestock Guarding Dogs have been an integral part of our conservation efforts, and now, we are excited to announce another aspect of this innovative program – the launch of a new Snake Aversion Training Program for our Livestock Guarding Dogs!

Snakes pose a significant threat to our guardian dogs – especially in Namibia. A herpetological hotspot, Namibia is home to 81 different types of snakes – including 11 venomous species identified as being potentially life-threatening to humans (and dogs too). With this new training initiative, we are taking proactive steps to ensure the safety and well-being of our Livestock Guarding Dogs – while at the same time, also minimizing conflicts with wildlife, including the predators sometimes found beneath our feet.

So, what is Snake Aversion Training exactly? The process involves exposing dogs to the sight and smell of snakes in a controlled environment. By familiarizing our dogs with these cues, we’re teaching them to recognize and avoid potentially harmful encounters with snakes in the wild. For our Livestock Guarding Dogs, this training is especially important. Encountering a venomous snake can be life-threatening. In fact, snake bites are the leading cause of dog losses in the Livestock Guarding Dog program, particularly bites from black mambas, puff adders, and zebra cobras. By equipping our dogs with the skills to identify and steer clear of snakes, we’re reducing the risk of snake bite incidents and ensuring the long-term effectiveness of our conservation efforts.

Research and innovation are key components of our holistic approach to conservation. By investing in innovative initiatives that benefit both wildlife and local communities, like our Snake Aversion Training, we’re promoting coexistence between humans, livestock, and wildlife.

The Livestock Guarding Dog Program has shown remarkable success in reducing predation on livestock, which in turn decreases the retaliatory killings of cheetahs by farmers. These dogs, primarily Anatolian shepherds, are not only protectors but also peacekeepers, bridging the gap between human activities and the needs of wildlife. They are raised alongside livestock from an early age, ensuring they bond with the animals they are meant to protect. This early bonding is crucial for the success of the program, allowing the dogs to instinctively defend their charges without direct human intervention. The addition of Snake Aversion Training is just the latest step in enhancing the capabilities of these guardian dogs, ensuring they can perform their duties safely and effectively, thereby safeguarding not just livestock but also contributing to the broader goals of wildlife conservation.

CCF Staff with real and prop snake

Snake prop

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