Launch of Discovery Channel’s Return of the Cheetah TV Documentary

OTJIWARONGO, Namibia, Otjozondjupa Region [20, November 2024] – On December 4, the world unites to celebrate International Cheetah Day, a day dedicated to raising awareness about the plight of the cheetah and the importance of conserving this iconic species. With fewer than 7,500 cheetahs remaining in the wild, urgent action is needed to ensure their survival. Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF) calls on conservationists, wildlife enthusiasts, and communities worldwide to commemorate International Cheetah Day.

This year, the Otjiwarongo based CCF will be celebrating International Cheetah Day on the 1st of December 2024. The day will feature a range of activities at their Research and Education Centre, including:

• Family-Friendly Events: Interactive games, face painting, and storytelling sessions to engage children in conservation.
• Educational Workshops: Learn about the biology, habitat, and challenges faced by cheetahs in the wild.
• Sports Games: Soccer, Volleyball teams will go up against each other in the name of conservation.
• Virtual Campaigns: Share your support on social media using #InternationalCheetahDay and #SaveTheCheetah.
• Meet Miss Earth Namibia: Albertine Haimbala will be spending the day at CCF celebrating International Cheetah Day.

This year’s International Cheetah Day corresponds with the launch of a new Discovery Channel TV documentary called Return of the Cheetah which will air throughout Africa at 21:25 on the 4th of December on the Discovery Channel Africa. The documentary highlights the work of Dr. Marker and the Cheetah Conservation Fund which share integrated conservation strategies that are crucial thefor cheetahs’ survival. The film is presented by internationally renowned naturalist Mr. Hazen Audel.

Cheetahs face numerous threats, including habitat loss, human-wildlife conflict, and the illegal pet trade. As apex predators, cheetahs play a crucial role in maintaining ecosystem balance. Conserving them requires collaboration between governments, organizations, and individuals.

In observing International Cheetah Day, we underscore the need for a balanced approach to cheetah conservation, considering both human development and wildlife conservation. The CCF’s research emphasizes the pivotal role of the cheetah in African ecosystems and the importance of environmental education in altering perceptions about predators. As Dr, Marker, points out, “With the majority of cheetahs living outside of protected areas and coexisting with human communities in rural Africa, building community alliances is vital. We are deeply involved in enhancing livelihoods and promoting predator-friendly farming practices.”

Miss Earth Namibia and CCF’s Cheetah GoodWill Ambassador, Albertina Haimbala, grew up in Otjiwarongo and will be at the CCF Centre on the 1st of December to greet visitors. She says “Cheetahs are my favorite animal and that is why my national costume for the Miss Earth contest was inspired by the cheetah, and I am proud to contribute to their conservation for the future generations.”

“Cheetahs are not just fast – they’re irreplaceable,” said Dr Laurie Marker, Founding Director “International Cheetah Day is a reminder that every action, no matter how small, can contribute to saving this extraordinary species for future generations. My motto is Save the Cheetah, Change the World”

The Cheetah Conservation Fund invites everyone to participate in the celebrations by making their way to our Research and Education Centre in Otjiwarongo. Entry is free of charge for all Namibians.

Together, Let’s Keep Cheetahs Running Wild!

Captions: Above photo: Dr Laurie Marker – Founder and Executive Director of CCF at a premier event for Return of the Cheetah at Jetour headquarters in China, Below photos: International Cheetah Day celebrations at CCF’s Centre in Namibia, in 2023.

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About International Cheetah Day

Established in 2010 by the Dr. Laurie Marker, Cheetah Conservation Funds (CCF) Founder and Executive Director, International Cheetah Day honors the legacy of Khayam, a cheetah Marker brought to Namibia in 1977 to conduct pioneering research to determine if captive-born cheetahs could be taught to hunt. Their efforts were successful. laying the groundwork for CCF’s ongoing research into rewilding which is still being conducted today. Marker, designated Dec. 4 was Khayam’s birthday. International Cheetah Day is celebrated by cheetah and wildlife friends worldwide.

About the Cheetah Conservation Fund

The Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF) is the global leader in research and conservation of cheetahs and is dedicated to saving cheetahs in the wild. CCF has created a set of integrated conservation programs to address threats to the cheetah and its ecosystem. Founded in 1990, CCF is an international non-profit organization headquartered in Namibia with a field base in Somaliland. CCF is the longest running cheetah conservation organization andhas restored thousands of acres of Namibian farmland, established a training program to enhance the livelihoods of thousands of rural residents. One of their signature programs is the livestock guarding dog program, where nearly 800 Anatolian and Kangal guarding dogs have been bred and placed with farmers since 1994 to protect their livestock from predators. The CCFs Research and Education Centre is based near Otjiwarongo within the Waterberg Conservancy, on a private wildlife reserve and model farm. In 2017, CCF set up a field base in Somaliland to care for confiscated cheetah cubs from the illegal wildlife pet trade and have developed programs in the Horn of Africa to help stop the illegal wildlife trade.

For media inquiries, interviews, or more information, please contact:

Teresia Robitschko, teresia@cheetah.org, Phone +264814564965, and WhatsApp +49178272234

or

Shannon Kandjai, education@cheetah.org, Phone & WhatsApp +264812034448