Delegation Representing Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) Travels to Otjiwarongo, Namibia, to Donate Vehicle to Cheetah Conservation Fund

DELEGATION REPRESENTING TURKISH COOPERATION AND COORDINATION AGENCY (TIKA) TRAVELS TO OTJIWARONGO, NAMIBIA, TO DONATE VEHICLE TO CHEETAH CONSERVATION FUND

WHAT:
A ceremonial handing over of a new 4×4 truck donated by the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) and a demonstration of CCF’s Livestock Guarding Dog Programme.

WHO:
H.E. Mrs. Deniz Cakar, Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey
Mrs. Keman Ozdemir, Head of TIKA Africa and Middle East Countries
Mr. Cüneyt Esmer, TIKA Namibia Country Director
Dr. Laurie Marker, CCF Founder and Executive Director
Dr. Bruce Brewer, CCF General Manager

WHY:
Since 1994, CCF’s world-renown Livestock Guarding Dog Programme has utilized two rare breeds of Turkish dogs to provide farmers with a non-lethal option for predator control. A highly successful strategy credited with reducing livestock losses for farmers with dogs by 80 to 100 percent, CCF will place more than 50 puppies with farmers this year alone, bringing the number of working dogs in Namibia to over 250. The two breeds, the Kangal dog and the Anatolian shepherd, were chosen because of their history of success guarding livestock in Turkey, a country with a terrain and climate similar to Namibia’s, and for their large size, loud bark and protective nature.

Established in 1992, TIKA supports projects on five continents, starting in those countries with which it enjoys a shared culture and geography. TIKA is very proud of their dogs and the work being done in Namibia, and wishes support the efforts of CCF to ensure the Livestock Guarding Dog Programme’s continued success. CCF will use the vehicle to deliver puppies to their new homes on Namibian farms and for ongoing visits to perform welfare checks and to provide veterinary care.

WHEN:
19 November, 2015
Vehicle Delivery Ceremony: 12:00 – 12:30 p.m.

WHERE:
Cheetah Conservation Fund
44km northeast of Otjiwarongo (Turn onto D2440 off B1 and follow road signs to CCF)

HOW:
Media are invited to cover. Please RSVP by email to ccfinfo@iway.na or by telephone, 067 304806. CCF B-roll and still photos are available by request. For more information about CCF’s Livestock Guarding Dogs, please visit www.cheetah.org.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Heike Stackmann, ccfinfo@iway.na or (0)67 304806 or (0)81 8197976
Dr. Laurie Marker, cheetah@iway.na or (0)811247887