Building the Infrastructure of Conservation – Maintenance Men in Somaliland

In January of 2025 I was asked if I would like to return to the Cheetah Rescue and Rehabilitation Center (CRCC) in Geed-Deeble, Somaliland. I had been there once before in 2023 to assist in the construction of fencing on the, as yet unopened facility. With the blessing of the Oklahoma City Zoo and some discussion with my wife I agreed. The trip was set for early February.

As I began preparations another man in my department (Facilities Maintenance Technician Oklahoma City Zoological and Botanical Gardens), Billy McFarland made it clear that he would be willing to go. Rebecca Snyder, Director of Conservation at the OKC Zoo worked with the Public Relations Department to secure financing for additional volunteers. Their hard work paid off. Through a generous donation from the Ad Astra Foundation not only could Billy go but a zoo keeper would also be able to make the trip. At the last moment the keeper had a family emergency arise and was unable to come with us. An alternate trip in September will however, get them out there.

Billy and I departed Oklahoma City on February 1, 2025 and began the long trip to Africa. I will not sugar coat it. The trip is the hardest part of the entire adventure. One must have their mind right and their snacks packed. I have found that the trip out is easier than the trip back. We flew into Washington D.C. and spent the evening in a hotel. We caught our 16 hour flight the next morning at 10 am. We gained 8 hours on the flight and were in Hargesia, Somaliland at noon the following day. On the flight back, the plane leaves Hargesia at 6 pm. There is a 3 hour layover in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The flight from there leaves at 10 pm. The flight is still 16 hours but, doing it when one should be in bed just makes it tougher. I can’t sleep on airplanes. So, I end up going 35 or 40 hours without sleep.

When we arrived at the Hargesia airport we were met by Xamse (Hamza) of the CCF and he was able to assist us with getting through immigration as well as the baggage check. We had brought 150lbs of tools, Veterinary Medications, and Butcher knives. Xamse’s assistance was critical or we would have spent hours trying to explain all of our cargo. Once through airport security we met Chris the Country Manager for the CCF and loaded up for the trip to the facility. Before we left the city a quick stop was made so that Billy and I could stock up on some needed supplies. I am a Coca-Cola drinker and this stop helped maintain my quality of life. With sugary drinks secured we headed into the desert.

The drive from Hargesia to the facility is about 45 minutes on a battered dirt road. It gives you your first look at the beautiful desert that you get to stay in and explore. When we arrived at the facility, I was surprised at all of the changes that had occurred since my last visit in 2023. It had become an oasis of plants and animals and people. Fruit trees and vegetable gardens. Domestic dogs and free range gazelle. It is a first world facility in a third world country. We settled into our rooms, each with a bed, desk, armoire, and full bathroom. We had our first meal. I was very glad to see that Moses was still cooking. He came to the facility a couple of days into my 2023 visit and is an excellent cook. Lasagne, burgers, and T-Bone steaks with mashed potatoes and steamed veggies were just some of the delicious meals we were fed.

After a nights sleep the work began. We were brought out to build a low water crossing across a wash that in the rainy season runs like a raging river. It is dangerous to cross in a vehicle and can restrict serving the cheetah in the back enclosures. We gathered our tools and met the local men that were the construction crew. Two men Said (Saeed) and Hassan were assigned to us and we were asked to teach them how to setup, reinforce, pour, and finish concrete. The work began with the clearing of the dirt and debris from all of the nooks and crannies of the river bed. We then set up the first forms and added reinforcing steel rods. During this process we decided to do a series of smaller pours. With the limited supplies it made sense. The next morning the entire crew came down and hand mixed the 500+lbs of cement, sand and water that it took to make enough concrete for that days pour. Once the pour was complete they would go build fence and Billy, Hassan, Said, and I would setup the next days pour. This entire operation would be completed by noon and would be repeated for the next 12 days. The end result of this work was a three meter wide concrete road that could be traversed during the rains allowing the back half of the facility to be accessed and the cheetah to receive consistent care. After lunch Said and Hassan would rejoin the crew and Billy and I would keep a flow of water on the new concrete to prevent surface cracking.

After work when everyone had gone home Billy and I would take one of the CCF trucks as well as anyone that wanted to join us and we would drive on the inside of the perimeter fence and search for wildlife. This was one of the best parts of our adventure. We found, in no particular order, Baboons, Warthog, Mongoose, Spectacular Starlings (seen above), Go Away Birds, Leopard Tortoise, Red and Yellow billed Hornbill, European Rollers, Dik-Dik, and many others.

The last part of the low water crossing was a ramp on the down river side to allow the water to flow off the road with out creating turbulence that may wash out from under the road. We poured the ramp and after it had some time to set up all of the staff, crew, and volunteers came down and we had them sign their names into the concrete (seen below).

The local crew had a lot of fun with this and it gave them a sense of ownership and belonging. We don’t get to do this at our zoo so, Billy and I had fun as well.

We finished to crossing and had 3 days left in our 15 day stay. After chatting with Chris it was decided that fire pit and benches would be an excellent accessory to the recently completed sand volleyball court. So, on day 13 we began. It started slow with some small concrete slabs to use as the bases for the benches and pit. The following morning we laid concrete block and solid filled it with concrete. On our final day Said and Hassan smeared grout on the exterior of the benches and pit and it turned into a beautiful place for people to hang out and visit in the cool of the desert nights.

On our last night in Geed Debble, Dr. Laurie Marker came to the facility and we had a nice evening of food and people. Laughing, talking and saying our goodbyes. It was a great trip to a great place doing great work. I will remember these people fondly and often. Thanks to the Oklahoma City Zoo, The Cheetah Conservation Fund, the staff of Somaliland CCF, Jess Sorrentino of the CCF Namibia, and of course Dr. Laurie Marker. Without her tireless efforts and commitment none of this would have happened. She is one of my personal heroes and I look forward to her yearly visits to our zoo.

If you have an opportunity to volunteer with the CCF, do it. It will change your life and will change the lives of the cheetah in their care.