Hargeisa, Somaliland – May 28, 2024 – The Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF) hosted an engaging reception to introduce the Somaliland media to their new conservation media partner, the Wild Africa Fund. This event marks the beginning of an impactful awareness program, developed in collaboration with the Somaliland Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MoECC), the Somaliland Ministry of Information, Culture and National Guidance, CCF, and the Wild Africa Fund, aimed at combating the illegal wildlife pet trade in cheetahs from the Horn of Africa.
A United Front Against Wildlife Trafficking
The reception, held at the Ambassador Hotel in Hargeisa, brought together key figures from the Somaliland media, social media influencers, and notable dignitaries to discuss the pressing issue of wildlife trafficking. The audience included Minister Shukri from MoECC, the Faysal Abdirashid Adan, Sucaad Omar, and Abdirahman Abdilahi of the Ministry of Information, Culture and National Guidance, the Taiwanese Ambassador to Somaliland, Allen Lou Chenhwa, Captain Zuhur Fathi Mukhtar from the Somaliland Coast Guard, and numerous media representatives and influencers.
Keynote Addresses and Introductions
Dr. Laurie Marker, Founder and Executive Director of CCF, introduced Peter Knights, CEO of Wild Africa Fund, to the assembled guests. The discussion highlighted the innovative media strategies employed by the Wild Africa Fund to reduce poaching of African elephants and rhinos (Who We Are | Wild Africa Fund), which will now be extended to address the trafficking of cheetahs in the Horn of Africa.
Collaborative Efforts and Support
Somaliland’s MoECC and police forces, supported by CCF, have been actively working to curb this illicit trade. CCF is currently caring for 97 cheetahs rescued from the illegal wildlife pet trade at is Cheetah Rescue and Conservation Centre (CRCC) in Geed-Deeble.
This new awareness program, funded by a grant from the European Union (EU) and Welthungerhilfe (WHH), aims to educate the public about the critical issue of wildlife trafficking, with a specific focus on the cheetahs of the Horn of Africa – a population from which 200+ cheetahs have been reported to be trafficked into the Middle East annually, out of a regional population of about 400 individuals in the Horn of Africa. The world population of cheetah is less than 7,000 individuals and this regional subspecies (Acinonyx jubatus soemmerringi) has recently been uplisted by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) to Endangered, leaving it vulnerable to local extinction.
The event included interviews with key government officials and influential social media personalities, including YouTuber Qays Qayser, Dhakhtar, and photographer Anas Ahmed Hamud, who pledged to use their platforms to advocate for the conservation of wildlife in Somaliland. The next day, several of the influencers filmed at the CCF’s Cheetah Rescue and Conservation Centre (CRCC) near Geed-Deeble to spread awareness on the plight of the cheetah and how Somalilanders can take the lead in helping stop illegal wildlife trafficking. Slogans being used in the campaign include protecting nature protects us all = Ilaalinta dabiicaddu waa ilaalinta nafaheena and keep wildlife wild = u daa duurjoogta duurkooda.
MOU with Ministry of Information, Culture and Awareness
On the 26th of May, an MOU was signed between the Somaliland Ministry of Information, Culture and National Guidance, and the Wild Africa Fund to work together for the next year in bringing awareness of the illegal wildlife trade in cheetah and protection of the wildlife in Somaliland Redirecting....
Future Campaign Launch
With the campaign launch scheduled for later in 2024, Somaliland media outlets and influencers stand ready to collaborate and amplify the message. Content developed by Wild Africa Fund will be offered free-to-use to the country’s media, bringing awareness to the plight of species, like the cheetah, threatened with extinction because of illegal actions. The initiative underscores a significant step towards protecting Somaliland’s wildlife and raising global awareness about the devastating impacts of illegal wildlife trade.
For more information on this campaign and ongoing conservation efforts, visit Cheetah Conservation Fund and Wild Africa Fund.
Hargeisa, Somaliland – May 28, 2024 – The Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF) hosted an engaging reception to introduce the Somaliland media to their new conservation media partner, the Wild Africa Fund. This event marks the beginning of an impactful awareness program, developed in collaboration with the Somaliland Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MoECC), the Somaliland Ministry of Information, Culture and National Guidance, CCF, and the Wild Africa Fund, aimed at combating the illegal wildlife pet trade in cheetahs from the Horn of Africa.
A United Front Against Wildlife Trafficking
The reception, held at the Ambassador Hotel in Hargeisa, brought together key figures from the Somaliland media, social media influencers, and notable dignitaries to discuss the pressing issue of wildlife trafficking. The audience included Minister Shukri from MoECC, the Faysal Abdirashid Adan, Sucaad Omar, and Abdirahman Abdilahi of the Ministry of Information, Culture and National Guidance, the Taiwanese Ambassador to Somaliland, Allen Lou Chenhwa, Captain Zuhur Fathi Mukhtar from the Somaliland Coast Guard, and numerous media representatives and influencers.
Keynote Addresses and Introductions
Dr. Laurie Marker, Founder and Executive Director of CCF, introduced Peter Knights, CEO of Wild Africa Fund, to the assembled guests. The discussion highlighted the innovative media strategies employed by the Wild Africa Fund to reduce poaching of African elephants and rhinos (Who We Are | Wild Africa Fund), which will now be extended to address the trafficking of cheetahs in the Horn of Africa.
Collaborative Efforts and Support
Somaliland’s MoECC and police forces, supported by CCF, have been actively working to curb this illicit trade. CCF is currently caring for 97 cheetahs rescued from the illegal wildlife pet trade at is Cheetah Rescue and Conservation Centre (CRCC) in Geed-Deeble.
This new awareness program, funded by a grant from the European Union (EU) and Welthungerhilfe (WHH), aims to educate the public about the critical issue of wildlife trafficking, with a specific focus on the cheetahs of the Horn of Africa – a population from which 200+ cheetahs have been reported to be trafficked into the Middle East annually, out of a regional population of about 400 individuals in the Horn of Africa. The world population of cheetah is less than 7,000 individuals and this regional subspecies (Acinonyx jubatus soemmerringi) has recently been uplisted by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) to Endangered, leaving it vulnerable to local extinction.
The event included interviews with key government officials and influential social media personalities, including YouTuber Qays Qayser, Dhakhtar, and photographer Anas Ahmed Hamud, who pledged to use their platforms to advocate for the conservation of wildlife in Somaliland. The next day, several of the influencers filmed at the CCF’s Cheetah Rescue and Conservation Centre (CRCC) near Geed-Deeble to spread awareness on the plight of the cheetah and how Somalilanders can take the lead in helping stop illegal wildlife trafficking. Slogans being used in the campaign include protecting nature protects us all = Ilaalinta dabiicaddu waa ilaalinta nafaheena and keep wildlife wild = u daa duurjoogta duurkooda.
MOU with Ministry of Information, Culture and Awareness
On the 26th of May, an MOU was signed between the Somaliland Ministry of Information, Culture and National Guidance, and the Wild Africa Fund to work together for the next year in bringing awareness of the illegal wildlife trade in cheetah and protection of the wildlife in Somaliland Redirecting....
Future Campaign Launch
With the campaign launch scheduled for later in 2024, Somaliland media outlets and influencers stand ready to collaborate and amplify the message. Content developed by Wild Africa Fund will be offered free-to-use to the country’s media, bringing awareness to the plight of species, like the cheetah, threatened with extinction because of illegal actions. The initiative underscores a significant step towards protecting Somaliland’s wildlife and raising global awareness about the devastating impacts of illegal wildlife trade.
For more information on this campaign and ongoing conservation efforts, visit Cheetah Conservation Fund and Wild Africa Fund.
