Human–Wildlife Conflict 10 Years Later: Lessons Learned and Their Application to Cheetah Conservation

Abstract

Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) conservation is interconnected to social, economic, and environmental factors. Since the 2003 World Parks Congress, cheetah conservation practitioners have been applying human -wildlife conflict resolution strategies throughout Sub-Saharan Africa. Future Farmers of Africa training has taught farm management skills to over 3,000 rural Namibian farmers and is being used in other range countries. Capacity building for conservation scientists and extension officers has been conducted using a “train the trainer” approach. The use of livestock-guarding dogs has expanded and eco-labels have been established to assist communities to coexist with cheetahs. Awareness building and government “buy-in” has occurred in many of the cheetah range countries. The conservancy program of Namibia is spreading into other areas of Africa, providing a basis for developing large-scale, transboundary land management plans. However, the continuation and development of such programs is ongoing, and no single program is likely to reduce human -cheetah conflict alone.