Grandma, what big ears you have

The president of the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency, Mr Serdar Çam (front right) visited Dr Laurie Market (front left) at her farm in the Otjiwarongo district, to see the new enclosure and dog shack donated by the agency.

The Turkish delegation comprising Mr Çam, the Turkish Ambassador, HE Mrs Deniz Chakar and the Cooperation and Coordination Country Director, Mr Cüneyt Esmer travelled to the Cheetah Conservation Fund to observe the role of two ancient Turkish dog breeds, the Anatolian Shepherd and the Kangal, in guarding livestock against predation. In this way, the guard dogs help protect wild carnivores by acting as a deterrent before the predator causes damage which invariably leads to its death.

The Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF) pioneered the use of Anatolian Shephers in Namibia to protect livestock. Ultimately this protection keeps cheetahs alive as the conflict between farmers and predators is prevented. Following the proven success of Anatolian Shepherds, the CCF later introduced Kangal dogs for the same purpose.

The Cheetah Conservation Fund is a major local breeder of both types of dog. Since 1994, when the programme began, it has placed more than 600 dogs with local farmers. This year, another 70 puppies will be going to farms to help protect livestock to help protect cheetahs.

Such an extensive breeding programme requires adequate facilities to house all the breeding dogs. In this regard, the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) has helped the CCF in the past by donating a vehicle for dog deliveries, and most recently, by helping to upgrade and expand the enclosures where the dogs are kept.

“We are very grateful to our friends at TIKA for making this generous donation to support our work” said Dr Marker. “With TIKA’s assistance, we are better able to keep up with demand for our dogs, as well as provide for their ongoing care”.

The Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency supports 50 programmes in 120 countries, Namibia being one.