Cheetah Conservation Botswana

October 17, 2020

9:45 am PDT

Botswana is home to roughly 30% of Earth’s remaining wild cheetahs, and Cheetah Conservation Botswana (CCB) is committed to protecting this stronghold for this iconic big cat. Human-cheetah conflict is the primary cause of cheetah deaths, as locals perceive them as threats to their livestock, so CCB works with these communities to better understand cheetahs and reduce conflict that prevents people and cheetahs from living harmoniously. These community initiatives include providing farmers and livestock herders with guard dogs, educational camps for their children, and training to promote coexistence with cheetahs.

SPEAKERS

Rebecca Klein

Executive Director

When Rebecca Klein moved to Botswana in 2001, she noticed that there were no conservation efforts focusing on threatened cheetahs. So she teamed up with Dr. Kyle Good and Ann Marie Houser to form Cheetah Conservation Botswana (CCB) in 2003. Rebecca has a degree in Wildlife Biology from Leeds University, UK and a MSc. on human-wildlife conflict from Rhodes University, South Africa. She has experience in a wide range of conservation projects worldwide and is committed to building a future where Botswana’s wildlife and people can happily coexist. Her mission is to make CCB the facilitator that helps this change happen in the Kalahari.

Jane Horgan

Engagement and Awareness Coordinator

Jane Horgan began working for Cheetah Conservation Botswana (CCB) in July 2009. Jane spent five years working as a Research Officer in Ghanzi, during which time she completed her MSc. testing the effectiveness and cost efficiency of livestock guarding dogs in Botswana. In 2014, Jane moved to Maun and is now heading up CCB's Engagement and Awareness Department. Originally from Australia, Jane has a bachelor’s degree in Wildlife Biology and Zoology from the University of Queensland. Jane has experience working with a variety of conservation projects, including research experience with brown hyenas, vultures, and Tasmanian devils.

Photography credit: Susan McConnell