In 2021, CCF took significant steps forward with the development of the Somaliland Cheetah Rescue and Conservation Centre (CRCC). I joined the CCF Somaliland team in May 2021 and have been focused on this development project since. Earlier in the year, Dr. Laurie Marker CCF’s Founder and Executive Director, welcomed Landscape Architect and Building Planner, Matt Renninger to Somaliland to conduct site visits with her at Geed-Deeble and work on the Master Plan for the new Centre. Matt had previous experience working with CCF in developing the Master Plan and designing some of the facilities at the International Research and Education Centre in Namibia. Most recently the Cheetah View Lodge and the Lightfoot Educational area, and the new commissary and office block.
In partnership with the Somaliland government, the new Cheetah Rescue and Conservation Centre will serve as a rehabilitation site for sick and injured orphaned cheetah cubs confiscated from the illegal wildlife trade by the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MoECC). The cheetahs, mostly seized when they were weeks to a few months old, will be cared for at the CRCC for the remainder of their lives. Due to the nature of their injuries, suffered from their initial capture and/or from nutritional deficiencies and improper care in the hands of their captors, most will require long term veterinary care. Even as adults, they can never be released back into the wild. When completed, the center will feature vast outdoor enclosures providing a naturalistic environment for the animals.
The CRCC site is set on more than 800 hectares at Geed-Deeble, a forest reserve about an hour’s drive from Hargeisa. In addition to the clinic and care facilities, the center will include education and vocational training facilities that will benefit students, teachers, pastoralists, wildlife caregivers, eco-rangers, and local staff. It will also be open for public tours, with the purpose of educating local and international visitors about Somaliland’s ecosystems and indigenous wildlife. It is the first facility of its kind in the Horn of Africa.
In 2021 we worked closely with the Hargeisa Water Department to identify a stable water source. We drilled for water in November and were delighted to find a great bore hole which meant we could proceed with building. Construction began shortly after our groundbreaking ceremony in December. The event marked the official launch of the project’s first phase, beginning with the staff housing units. To date, the staff housing, meal house facilities, animal care and veterinary clinic, and manager’s quarters are all under construction. A 2.8-kilometer water line is being installed to bring fresh water to the facility. Six 10,000-liter concrete water storage tanks are being constructed to hold enough water for the needs of the project. In addition, a solar system for off grid electricity is being developed for the entire Centre.
We are now anxiously awaiting the delivery of the steel barn being shipped from South Africa to sit on a newly poured foundation. Fencing components and supplies are also coming from South Africa via seven shipping containers. We still need to install 11 kilometers of perimeter fence and 22 kilometers of animal enclosure, but that should start by the end of April.
CCF staff and volunteers helped to survey potential cheetah enclosure areas. This required lots of long hours walking the landscape and looking for sites that avoid drainage areas and rock outcrops, as well as thick thorn bush. We have identified 20 potential sites for enclosures and there is a lot more land to explore. In exploring, we have found the perfect spot for our resident leopard named Milo. He will now have a birds-eye view of the comings and goings of staff as well as the wildlife around him.
Babul Rayan Construction is the contractor working to construct staff and support facilities. Clear Sky Power was selected to design and install all the off-grid power needs of both the facility and the solar pumping needs. The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change remains supportive of CCF’s efforts in bringing the project to fruition. We will soon employ a Community Engagement officer to work with local communities to start awareness programs about the project and work with other communities throughout Somaliland on behalf of CCF and its upcoming programs.
Their Somalia policy is such a blunder that they are tweeting useless sh*t like this now 
Mark Natt, CCF’s Program Manager in Somaliland, gives a progress report on the building of our Somaliland Cheetah Rescue and Conservation Centre (CRCC). The CRCC will become the new sanctuary for the cheetahs confiscated from the illegal wildlife/pet trade and it is set on more than 800 hectares at Geed-Deeble, a forest reserve about an hour’s drive from Hargeisa.
Once complete, in addition to the cheetah sanctuary and clinic, the CRCC will include education and vocational training facilities that will benefit students, teachers, pastoralists, wildlife caregivers, eco-rangers, and local CRCC staff. And, the CRCC will be open for public tours, with the purpose of educating Somaliland people and international visitors about the country’s ecosystems and indigenous wildlife.
Somaliland Delegation Observes Links Between Conservation And Tourism
A high-ranking government delegation from Somaliland is visiting Namibia this week as the guests of the Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF) to learn about the enormous potential of conservation when done in partnership with landowners.
The group of six includes Somaliland’s Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Hon Shukri Ismail, the Minister of Trade and Tourism, Hon Mohamoud Hassan Saad, the Minister of Parliament, Hon Mubarak Musa Ismail, the Chairman of the Committee on Environment, Natural Resources, Production and Energy at Somaliland’s House of Representatives; the Head of Mission to the United States, Bashir Goth; and the Cheetah Conservation Fund’s Senior Advisor to Parliament, Ms Fatima Saeed. This is their first visit to Namibia.
Conservation in Somaliland is hampered by the fact that the territory is not recognised as an independent country but it has a functional government and operates as a separate political entity from Somalia under the banner, the Republic of Somaliland.
The visiting delegation will explore the link between rural development, tourism and cheetah conservation. In this regard, it is guided by the Cheetah Conservation Fund which is based near Otjiwarongo in Namibia but with a very strong operational and institutional presence in Somaliland. For instance, the fund’s operations in Somaliland are so successful that there are now more than 80 young cheetahs in their care at three foster facilities.
Together with the Executive Director of the Namibian Association of Community Based Natural Resource Management Support Organizations (NACSO), Maxi Pia Louis, the CCF’s founder and Executive Director, Dr Laurie Marker is taking the delegation on a tour of central Namibia. The goal of the tour is to transfer institutional knowledge and experience about Community Based Natural Resource Management (CBNRM), eco-tourism, and the development of concessions around protected areas.
“The knowledge transfer between Namibia and Somaliland will assist the Somaliland government in developing their own model to meet the needs of nomadic pastoral communities while mitigating threats to wild species at their new CCF facility,” said Dr Marker.
In December 2021, the CCF and Somaliland sponsoring partner, the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change began construction of the CCF Cheetah Rescue and Conservation Centre at Geed-Deeble (“Land of Trees”) to provide a permanent home for the animals.
The centre is built on 50,000 ha that the Somaliland government has set aside to become its first national park. When complete, the centre will provide a permanent home for the rescued cubs. Phase one of the complex is expected to be finished this year so that the cubs can be moved early next year.
Cheetah Conservation Fund Hosts Delegation from Republic of Somaliland on 10-Day Tour of Namibia
OTJIWARONGO, Namibia (23 July 2022) – Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF) welcomes a delegation representing the Republic of Somaliland to Namibia July 25-Augut 3, 2022, to explore the link between rural development, tourism and cheetah conservation. Joining with local partner, the Namibian Association of Community Based Natural Resource Management Support Organizations (NACSO), CCF’s Founder and Executive Director, Dr Laurie Marker, and NACSO’s Executive Director Maxi Pia Louis, will lead the delegation on a tour of northcentral Namibia. The goal of the tour is to transfer institutional knowledge and experience about Community Based Natural Resource Management (CBNRM), eco-tourism, and the development of concessions around protected areas. The knowledge transfer between Namibia and Somaliland will assist the Somaliland government in developing their own model to meet the needs of nomadic pastoral communities while mitigating threats to wild species at their new CCF facility.
CCF has been working with the government of Somaliland since 2011 to combat the illegal wildlife trade in cheetah. CCF currently cares for more than 80 cheetah cubs in Somaliland’s capital city of Hargeisa. The animals were confiscated by the government and placed in one of three CC Safe House facilities, which are temporary shelters. In December 2021, CCF and Somaliland sponsoring partner, Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MoECC), began construction of the CCF Cheetah Rescue and Conservation Centre (CRCC) at Geed-Deeble (“Land of Trees”) to provide a permanent home for the animals.
The CRCC will be built on 50,000 ha the Somaliland government has set aside to become its first national park. When complete, the CRCC will provide a permanent home for the cubs rescued from the illegal pet trade and from human-wildlife conflict situations. CCF expects to complete the Phase One facilities in time to move the cheetahs in by January 2023.
Namibia is widely considered to have model approaches noted for success. The visit will inform the delegation about Namibia’s conservation policies and about the daily operation of CCF’s world-renown Centre in Otjiwarongo. The Somaliland delegation will visit Erinidi Private Wildlife Reserve, Etosha National Park, Twyfelfontein, conservancies in the Kunene region and the CCF Centre. They will also meet with representatives from the Namibian government, conservation organizations and trade groups in Windhoek.
Somaliland’s Minister Shukri H. Ismail of the Somaliland Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MoECC); Minister Mohamoud Hassan Saad, Minister of Trade and Tourism; Minister of Parliament Mubarak Musa Ismail, Chairman of the Committee on Environment, Natural Resources, Production and Energy at Somaliland House of Representatives; Head of Mission to the United States, Bashir Goth; and Fatima Saeed, CCF’s Senior Advisor to Parliament, will travel to Namibia for the first time, representing Somaliland.
The Somaliland National Strategy for Decentralized Natural Resource Management (DNRM) was drafted in 2016 to address critical priorities including stabilizing rural communities severely impacted by drought; addressing livestock health and livestock predation; increasing community resiliency, and creating systems for rural governance.
Namibia’s conservancy models and systems of national parks and protected areas can serve as inspiration for Somaliland’s problems. Both have rugged terrain, arid climates and suffer from drought, and both countries have wild cheetah populations that come in conflict with rural agro-pastoral communities.
“CCF is very pleased to be able to bring this delegation from Somaliland to Namibia, to better help cheetahs and people in both places”, said Dr Marker. “The CRCC will be the first facility of its kind in the Horn of Africa. The government of Somaliland has been CCF’s best partner in addressing the illegal trade in cheetahs, and the government of Namibia has been CCF’s best partner in addressing human-wildlife conflict and habitat loss. Namibia is also CCF’s first and longest-standing government partner. CCF believes by bringing Namibia and Somaliland together, we will make great progress in conservation, by sharing our lessons learned”.
“From CCF, we have learned there is economic value in having healthy wildlife populations on our lands. Capitalizing on comparative advantages and providing appropriate incentives to use our natural resources in the most efficient ways possible provides a sustainable boost to local economies. We think these are very good reasons to invest in introducing a CBNRM approach in Somaliland,” said Maxi Pia Louis, NACSO Director.
Meet Dr. Marshall and Nathalie Santerre
Hailing from Ottawa and Quebec respectively, Dr. Ashley Marshall (Lead Vet) and Nathalie Santerre (Head Animal Keeper of Safe House 3) arrived in Somaliland, in March and April respectively, and have found a common thread in their Canadian approach to frontline conservation work.
Nathalie brings with her almost 20 years of expertise working in conservation programs with captive cheetahs which is a boon for managing the growing captive population in Somaliland.
As an emergency veterinarian with an equal passion for cats and travel, Ashley is learning the nuances of working with cheetahs. Through their time here together, they have brought ease, flexibility and a great sense of humour to the team as they work tirelessly to manage basic needs such as keeping the animals clean, healthy, well fed and engaged.
Additionally, they work closely to provide preventative medical care, such as vaccines and deworming, health monitoring, including blood and fecal assessments, and responding to any medical issues that may arise. Work with the cheetahs is mostly free contact and a large part of training includes getting the cheetahs used to physical manipulation and the squeeze cage for safe medical assessments.
Ashley and Nathalie working on a rescued cheetah
Ashley and Nathalie describe what makes their job so special and so challenging
One of the more trying parts of the job is when a call comes in alerting the team to a group of stolen cubs. Typically ranging in age from 1 to 6 months, and in group sizes of up to 15 individuals, CCF works closely with the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MoECC) to access the cubs and take over their care.
Often arriving dehydrated and malnourished, covered in wounds and parasites and sometimes with ties and chains around them, it’s an uphill battle to efficiently and calmly assess, stabilize and offer them comfort.
The work is minute by minute – initially, after providing supportive care and nutrition, they are settled into safe, warm enclosures and monitored closely.
After a period of quarantine and acclimation, samples and measurements are taken in the least stressful manner. The veterinary team treats them for the treatable and slowly introduces them to adequately nutritious meals so as not to overwhelm their systems. But, even then, they can decline and unfortunately not all the confiscated cubs survive.
Gratifying work as well as some heartbreak
The team works tirelessly around the clock in these initial days and the wins and the losses are felt immensely. For those that survive, we bond with the youngsters and feel pride in watching them grow into their bodies and their personalities which makes it all worthwhile.
Additionally, the data collected from the confiscation and from the medical assessments are used in court to help prosecute the poachers. Under the Forest and Wildlife Conservation Law (Act 69/2015), the current fine is 3/40 million Shillings and 1/5 years prison (Somalilander/Foreigner), hunting weapons and transportation used are also confiscated.
Working for CCF in Somaliland is beyond gratifying. It is an active, non-stop job that is truly on the frontlines of conservation within the illegal wildlife trade. We are not only grateful for the opportunity to contribute but have also shared knowledge, experience and made friends with other likeminded passionate conservationists from both Somaliland and around the globe.
As the cats will soon be moved to a bigger facility, out of the city with the opportunity to live in larger enclosures and have an opportunity to express more natural behaviours, we hope our presence is needed less. But until then, CCF will with continue to confront these issues, heart faced forwards.
The Cheetah Conservation & Rescue Centre (CRCC) in Geed Deeble. Solar panels are being installed to make the Centre more self sufficient in its energy needs.
Delighted to announce that Taiwan supports Somaliland’s natural conservation and to fund
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Working with Cheetahs in Somaliland
Nashville Zoo’s international conservation efforts were highlighted this summer as carnivore keeper Megan Woodall spent a month at the Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF) in Somaliland.
Megan arrived in Somaliland in mid-July and spent the majority of her time working in one of the three safe houses at the Cheetah Conservation Fund facility. The safe houses oversee the care and rehabilitation of cheetah cubs that are taken from the illegal pet trade. Megan helped rehabilitate 38 cheetahs that were all battling multiple illnesses by assisting with blood draws, vaccinations, socializations, training sessions and enrichment brainstorming. Megan also experienced what it was like to introduce new cats to an existing group, figure out new living spaces for the cubs and even assist in butchery day to help prepare meat diets for the cats.
“It was such a blessing to use my skills to serve the CCF team and help advance the progress they are making on the ground in Somaliland,” said Megan. “I loved being able to see the growth and transformation of so many cheetahs due to the knowledge and commitment of a caring staff and l feel that working alongside them helped me further develop as a zookeeper.”
Through her experiences and time spent in Somaliland, Megan was able to further the mission of both the Cheetah Conservation Fund and Nashville Zoo by participating in incredible hands-on conservation efforts to help save and protect this species.
Qori-lugud (Hargeisa Press) – Maamulka Degmada Qori-lugud ee Gobolka Togdheer oo kaashanaya Ciidanka Qaranka ee ku sugan degmadaasi, ayaa soo bad-baadiyay seddex Harii-macad oo deegaankaas lagu kala iibsanayay.
Dedaal iyo hawl-gal adag oo ay galeen waxay ciidanku ku guulaysteen in ay gacanta ku soo dhigaan saddexdaasi harii-macad oo dhalo ah oo hooyadood laga soo hoos qaaday.
Seddexdan Harii-macad, ayaa waxaa la qorshaynayay in Somaliland laga saaro.
Wasaaradda Deegaanka iyo Isbedelka Cimilada Somaliland, ayaa iyaduna si deg deg ah uga hawl-gashay sidii loo soo badbaadin lahaa saddexdaas harimacad, ayna u heli lahaayeen xanaaneyn si ay uga baaqsadaan in aanay u dhiman daryeel la,aan.
Waxaana seddexdan Harii-macad ee la rabay in dalka laga saaro, ayaa la soo gaadhsiiyay xarunta lagu daryeelo xayawaanka harii-macadka ee magaaladda Hargeysa.
Somaliland, ayaa waxaa ay hore qalinka ugu duugtay xeerarka daryeelka iyo ilaalinta duurjoogta isla markaana ay ayiday shan qaraar oo caalamiya oo uu ka mid yahay xeerka ilaalinta duurjoogta Afrika.
Si kastaba, Somaliland, ayaa waxaa si weyn ugu soo badanaya ugaadhsiga lagu hayo xayawaanka Harii-macadka, iyadoona Maxkamaddaha Somaliland ay hore xadhig iyo ganaax lacageed ugu rideen rag lagu helay dambi ah inay si sharci darro ah uga dhoofinayeen dalka Harii-macadyo.
