CHEETAH OUTREACH

Anatolian Shepherd Guard Dog Programme

Sheep herds in the Overberg area are often threatened by leopard, caracal and baboons. Paardenkloof Estate, which is located in this area, has lost as many as 80 lambs to caracal in one year. As part of the farm's commitment to conservancy, it is taking part in an exciting initiative of non-lethal predator control.

Cheetah Outreach is piloting a national Anatolian Shepherd Guard Dog Programme in conjunction with the De Wildt Wild Cheetah Management Programme.

Paardenkloof Estate is the first farm in the Overberg area to enjoy the placement of an Anatolian shepherd to protect its herds. 'Uthaya' arrived in May 2005 and is one of the 6 dogs placed on farmlands in South Africa.

If this project proves to be a success, it will hopefully result in a change in attitude and farming practices and keep predators at bay instead of killing them.