Tusk Trust - AfriCat Foundation, Namibia

AfriCat Foundation

Project Location: Otjiwarongo, Namibia

Type of Project: Protection of Endangered Species

Endangered species: Cheetah, Lion, Leopard and African Wild Dog.

Land under protection: 223 sq km

No. local people benefiting from project: 400

No. local people employed by project: 8

Background Information
Namibia is home to six large carnivore species including cheetah, leopard, lion, spotted hyaena, brown hyaena and wild dog. The majority of these species are in conflict with people. Loss of habitat and the human/wildlife conflict are the biggest threats facing the survival of these species.

Initially starting out as an animal welfare organisation in the 90’s, the AfriCat Foundation soon realised that the problem was not going to be solved by saving just a few animals and keeping them in captivity. As a result the foundation began to focus on education and research with the aim of promoting understanding and finding methods to minimise conflict with humans.

Rescue and Rehabilitation
By working with Namibian farmers, the programme provides the project with the opportunity to promote ecologically sound farm management practices as well as effective farming techniques which greatly enhances farmers goodwill. AfriCat has dealt with more than 930 cheetahs and leopards, of which over 85% have been returned to the wild. On average AfriCat rescues 50 cheetahs and 25 leopards a year.

The AfriCat Foundation offers to remove animals that are caught in traps. The predator is anaesthetised, assessed, treated and normally released into the same or similar area, usually within 24 hours. Cats that are sick, injured or too young to be released are taken back to the welfare wing of the Foundation for attention and recuperation. Once fit enough, many cheetah are released into the Tusk sponsored 10,000 acre enclosure where they learn to hunt on their own again.

Education
After many years of working with the farming community it became clear that youth education was vital to the long-term conservation of large carnivores. The objective of AfriCat’s environmental education programme is to promote predator and environmental awareness among the Namibian youth so that they gain a sense of appreciation for the natural world and the importance of wildlife conservation. Since its inception the AfriCat education programme has reached over twenty thousand children and young adults at the on-site education centre or through the outreach programme. There are plans to extend the programme to include adult education with training courses on predator-friendly farming techniques, conservation issues and sustainable living.

Tusk Support
Tusk has supported AfriCat since its inception by providing funds to purchase a light aircraft and a grant to build a 10,000 acre enclose and well as support the veterinary costs. Its most recent grant came in the form of a legacy which has allowed the project to create a 55,000 acre reserve which will enable long term residents of the predator programme to be released in effect back into the wild. The benefits to AfriCat of achieving this goal are two-fold. A chance to enhance its work in the field of conservation, rehabilitation, education and research, as well as provide an opportunity for the Foundation to dramatically improve its long term financial sustainability with resulting regular income from Okonjima’s eco-tourism operation.

Comments from the field

“Tusk’s support has been invaluable to the growth of the AfriCat Foundation and what the organisation has been able to achieve in its mission to save Namibia’s large carnivores.”

Carla Conradie, AfriCat

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