Every year, hundreds of Anatolian Shephard and mixed breed dogs, are used to protect livestock for Namibian farmers. These livestock guarding dogs (LGDs) are introduced to the farms as 3 month old puppies and as they mature, they work to deter predators (such as cheetahs) from preying on the farmers livestock. This initiative is having a significant impact at reducing human-wildlife conflict (HWC) and protecting cheetahs from farmer retaliation.

Without question, these dogs are vital to protecting the cheetahs and helping farmers in their daily activities. In fact, livestock losses have been reduced by over 90% and HWC by up to 80% in areas where LGD’s are being used. This reduction, in turn, is having a positive impact on wild cheetahs.

Sadly, whilst these dogs are prepared to warn off large predators, they are facing their own life-threatening adversary – venomous snakes.

These brave dogs put themselves between the farmers livestock and some of the most dangerous mammals in the world, including leopards, cheetahs, hyenas, and more. But snakes also pose threats, in fact, snake bites are responsible for the most fatalities of the LGDs in the field. Over 84 dogs have died from snake bites since the programme began 25 years ago, 52 of those in the last 5 years. Will you help us protect them?

We need to keep the dogs safe from venomous snakes – and that’s where you come in!

CCF recently launched our inaugural Snake Aversion Training programme for our LGDs in Namibia. Through this life-saving training initiative, we are taking proactive steps to ensure the safety and well-being of our canine guardians while minimising conflicts with wildlife.

Snake aversion training involves exposing the dogs to the sight and smell of snakes in a controlled environment. By familiarising our dogs with these cues, we are teaching them to recognise and avoid potential encounters with snakes in the wild.

By equipping the dogs with the skills to identify and steer clear of snakes, we are reducing the risk of snakebite incidents and ensuring the long-term effectiveness of our conservation efforts.

Will you help equip the brave guarding dogs with the skills to avoid venomous snakes?

We have just had a new litter of puppies that urgently need this training before becoming LGDs. This innovative solution will provide greater safety to hundreds of LGDs whilst ensuring these brave dogs are still in position to mitigate human-wildlife conflict with larger predators.

To train these puppies and to secure a stock of anti-venom medicine in case of snake bites, we urgently need £7,250. Will you help the dogs, today? Any donation, no matter how big or small, will have a major impact in allowing us to get the next phase of training underway. Your donation will literally help save a guarding dogs’ life, and in return, allow them to be on the front-line, protecting cheetahs.