Cheetahs - Velvet Paws, Farmer's Prey (24/35)

Cheetahs - Velvet Paws, Farmer's Prey (24/35)

For most of Africa's large wild cats the numerous National Parks have become safe refuges, but not for the cheetahs. These swiftfooted but slender animals are being driven out of the parks by lions, leopards and hyenas. In Namibia, the country with the largest number of cheetahs, 90% of them live outside the National Parks, mostly on farmland, and there, of course, conflicts are inevitable. No matter whether a cheetah seizes gazelles, other wild animals or the occasional calf or lamb, most farmers reach for their rifles as soon as they see one of these large wild cats. The farmers are now to play a key role in the protection of the cheetahs. However, convincing them that these animals are to be tolerated on their land will be no easy task and can only succeed if they are offered effective methods of protecting their cattle.