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Latest news
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November 2008
WABOTLHE STAGES ANOTHER TEACHER TRAINING WORKSHOP
| Once again the Department of Education teamed up with our Community Education Coordinator, Wabotlhe Letubo, in September to hold another successful Teacher Training Workshop. This time, the event took place at the Molepolole Education Centre, in the Kweneng District, one of the largest districts in Botswana, with Molepolole as its administrative centre.
Thirty primary schools were represented at the workshop from across the whole district, a total of 52 teachers during the two day event, to whom predator education resources were supplied for use in their classrooms.
Environmental Education occupies a significant position within the broader education policies of Botswana, with a recommendation that it be an element in all subjects – even those not traditionally ‘environmental’ in nature. Our teacher training workshops introduce and provide methods to help, where a tendency to overlook environmentally themed teaching examples on a routine basis, in mathematics or languages for example, can now be more easily overcome.
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| November 2008
KOKOLE ATTENDS INTERNATIONAL INTERGRATED PREDATOR/LIVESTOCK MANAGEMENT COURSE
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In September, our Community Conservation Officer, Morulaganyi Kokole, attended an International Integrated Predator/Livestock Management course hosted by the Cheetah Conservation Fund at its center in Otjiwarongo, Namibia. Fifteen participants from nations including Brazil, Kenya, South Africa, Niger, India and Namibia, also took part.
Presentations were made by representatives from a variety of institutions and individuals, both local and international. These covered subjects such as Enhancing Wildlife-based Economies in Rural Area’s, Wildlife Conflict and Land Use, as well as Livestock Management. Genetics also came under discussion, including sampling and the importance of genetic variations in a population. Statistical Analysis and modeling methods were also reviewed.
The course also featured practical exercises and excursions, including visits to local conservancies at Hereroland and Damaraland. Problems were identified and attendees had to come up with practical solutions. The course ended on a social note, with an excursion to Etosha National Park before the presentation of Certificates to all those who took part in the course.
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| October 2008: CCB Publishes its 2008 Annual Report
| CCB has now published its third Annual Report. Entitled 'Pathways for People & Predators', the Report contains a full review of its programmes and developments within them to the year end of 31st March 2008. The Annual Report also contains a review of CCB's financial performance and its financial statements for the year. 'Pathways for People and Predators' can now be accessed and downloaded from this web site by visiting the Downloads section. | |
| September 2008: CCB Publishes New Community Resources
| In recent months, CCB has been successful in printing more new community resources. In addition to a new leaflet introducing our Education Programme to the public and to local education professionals, two new leaflets presenting information to farmers on the use of livestock guarding dogs have also been released - in English and Setswana.
These followed the publication of CCB's second book, 'The Predator-Safe Livestock Guide'. The 56 page book promotes the use of livestock management techniques, including the construction and use of livestock kraals, the introduction of guard animals, plus the art of animal and range management - all of which promote predator deterance and non-lethal control. The Predator-Safe Livestock Guide is available without charge to farmers and can be viewed or downloaded from this web site. Visit the Downloads section. | |
| Ghanzi Show 20-22nd June
| CCB attended the annual Ghanzi Agricultural Show at the end of June. The event attracted farmers from the local community as well as those from across the country. The CCB stand attracted particular attention of course, and a great deal of interest in and support for our programmes.
Misidentification of cheetahs and leopards and confusion surrounding the two has been a problem in some rural communities. In conjunction with our 'Spot the Difference' campaign particular emphasis was placed upon providing education support and materials to visitors at the show, to help them correctly identify predators in their own local areas. CCB was also approached by many farmers and farm workers at the show, who wanted to learn more about predator friendly farming and to share their own experiences with CCB. We look forward to building on these contacts in the near future.
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| Orapa Teacher Training Workshop 15-18 May
| Another in our programme of Teacher Training Workshops took place in Orapa, between the 15th and 18th of May and with the invaluable support once more of Debswana. The event, staged by CCB Education Coordinator Wabotlhe Letubo and assisted by our Community Conservation Officer, Morulaganyi Kokole, was attended by fifty teachers from local schools and the Education Centre of the Debswana Mine served as the venue. Both the General Manager and the Conservation Manager of the mine were especially enthusiastic about the event and are keen to continue the new collaboration with CCB.
Coinciding with the workshop was the construction of a predator playground at the Orapa site. The cheetah park has now been handed over to the mine for completion and when finished, a formal opening, as well as follow-up visits to local schools in the area will take place - currently scheduled for August.
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