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Latest news
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EMPLOYMENT VACANCY!
| Community Education & Conservation Officer (Based in Ghanzi)
A vacancy exists for a mature, motivated, confident and hard working individual aged 21+, possessing a Diploma in a natural sciences subject and some experience in wildlife management/conservation and education. Must be a citizen of Botswana, computer literate, be able to efficiently plan and manage schedules and must also hold a full, clean Driving Licence with some experience of 4X4 vehicle operation.
Based in Ghanzi, duties include organizing and conducting farm and shool visits, community presentations, the preparation of supporting materials and report writing, plus assisting with other CCB activities when required. The ideal candidate for this post will have a passion for wildlife issues and be dedicated to predator conservation in Botsawna.
The closing date for Applications is close of business on Monday the 12th November 2007.
SEND: A detailed CV and cover letter by post or e-mail to:
The Managing Director, Cheetah Conservation Botswana, Private Bag 0457, Mokolodi Nature Reserve, Gaborone.
e-mail: info@cheetahbotswana.com | |
| CIRCUMSTANCES SURROUNDING THE LOSS OF ALICE
| CCB is now able to provide further details concerning the loss of our rehabilitated cheetah, Alice. The cat's death was the result of an illegal hunt and since breaking the news to you, the professional hunter allegedly responsible has been questioned by Police, and appeared before a South African Court. Both Alice's pelt and the cell collar she was wearing at the time have been recovered by the South African authorities.
Ann Marie attended the court hearing on behalf of CCB on Thursday 27th July, to provide evidence and background information. A prosecution is being pursued by South African Environmental Management Inspectors (also known as the 'Green Scorpions'), seeking a fine of up to R150,000 and the revoking of a hunting licence. The professional hunter, Mr. Erwin Kruger from an organization called Kruger African Safari's, appeared before the court to answer charges of 1; shooting a cheetah, and 2; allowing his client to shoot a cheetah. The court proceedings received coverage on South African radio and while Mr. Kruger now seeks legal council, the court was adjourned pending a further hearing in November/December.
We wish to thank all our friends and associates across the border, especially those at the De Wildt Wild Cheetah Programme, as well as the Green Scorpions and the authorities who are pursuing the matter. |  |
| Leopard Cub Progress
| The female leopard cub, Botshelo (meaning 'life'), continues to make good progress at our Jwaneng facility. Now about twelve months old, she has grown considerably and hopes remain high that rehabilitation will result in her eventual release into the wild.
The cub was taken into CCB care in October 2006, after being confiscated in Ghanzi by the Department of Wildlife & National Parks. She had been originally captured when approximately six weeks old and was kept in an unsuitably small concrete and steel enclosure. Having gnawed-away all her teeth, CCB staff were naturally concerned as to whether her adult teeth would grow and if she was therefore destined for a life of captivity. She was, nevertheless, placed in a rehabilitation programme similar to that used for cheetah cubs. Within a few months her adult teeth appeared and she soon began exhibiting more usual leopard behaviour, such as climbing trees and hiding meat and bones in bushes. Her strong sense of smell and intelligence are apparent and she displays exceptional ability in locating hidden meat.
Botshelo is now approaching the release phase of her rehabilitation, after which, her initial progress will be closely monitored as she perfects her hunting techniques, learns to fend for herself and begins her second chance at 'life'. |  |
| Botswana Cheetah Status Report
| As announced in a previous bulletin, the Status Report has recently been completed. It is now available to view and download on this website, by visiting the 'Downloads' section. | |
| 'Spirit of the Kalahari' DVD Launch
| Together with our partner for this project, Lobone Creations, CCB launched its new community conservation DVD at a Gala event held at Mokolodi Nature Reserve's Worlds View Centre on Friday 13th April. The event was attended by over 170 invited guests, including Minister of Youth, Sports & Culture, The Honourable Moeng Pheto; the Mayor of Gaborone, His Worship the Honourable H. Mothei; and the Director of the Department of Wildlife & National Parks, Mrs R. Mojophoko.
Filmed in the local community and with dialogue in Setswana, with a choise of English or Setswana narration, the production is the result of some two years of planning, preparation and creation by a small team of staff, volunteers and supporters of both CCB and Lobone Creations. Telling the story of Rre Mmusi and Rre Thebe, two local farmers who use very different methods to protect their livestock and control predators on their land, the DVD is now destined to be viewed by communities across Botswana and will become an important component of our community outreach programme.
The initiative and indeed the celebration that took place on Friday 13th April, which turned out to be a great success, could not have been accomplished without the generous support of The Howard G. Buffett Foundation, the Global Environment Facility of the UNDP, Debswana and of course Mokolodi Nature Reserve. Local businesses, including Impression House, Showgroup Botswana and Sanitas also made a significant contribution towards staging this important and memorable event in our community conservation calander. (Photograph: The Honourable Moeng Pheto [left] presenting a Certificate of Achievement to Mpho Mosime, who played Rre Thebe in the Spirit of the Kalahari, at the DVD launch). |  |
| Orphaned Cheetah Cub, Lyra
| It is with the greatest regret that we have to announce the sudden death of CCB's latest cheetah rehabilitation candidate, Lyra. Rescued from the Ghanzi District in October 2006, the 10 month old cub had recovered from a leg fracture and had responded positively to treatment for a number of other conditions. Though showing great promise and making excellent progress under the care of Ann Marie, Kyle and Lorraine at Jwaneng, on the afternnoon of 2nd April Lyra failed to appear at the gate of the enclosure at feeding time and was soon discovered lying down under a tree. A necropsy was performed by Kyle and Ann Marie the following day. The procedure revealed that the young cheetah had a kidney abnormality and a, likely congenital, heart condition - the heart being only half that of the normal size. Specimens have been taken and are undergoing analysis. |  |
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