While at CCF, we were given multiple lectures to help educate us not only about the cheetah, but also about big, current issues in Namibia. The lecture that I found most interesting was about the poaching problem that is highly affecting wildlife and livestock in Africa. We learned that there are two different types of poaching: subsistence and commercial. Subsistence poaching is small scale and often intended to provide food for a family, while commercial poaching is large scale and performed for economic benefit. Both types of poaching are growing increasingly problematic, but for different reasons. Subsistence poaching is becoming more and more popular around CCF land because of hard times in town and a lack of livestock on other farms. Commercial poaching is affecting both South Africa and Namibia greatly, and many elephants and and rhinos are being killed for their tusks and horns. In South Africa, everything is so corrupt that it is bad for someone witnessing a poaching to call the authorities because they have then given the location of valuable wildlife. Namibia had always been an a country "untouched" by poachers, but in the last two years the poaching rates have increased severely. The worst part about the entire poaching process is that the poachers, especially commercial, are rarely caught because they have extremely advanced tools to assist them. These tools include helicopters (for use in national parks), drones, airplanes, night vision goggles, heavy weaponry, inside intelligence, and sometimes even laws that work in favor of the poacher. Poaching is so hard to control not only because the poachers possess these tools and advantages, but also because of the money they make. A kilogram of rhino horn is worth approximately $60,000, and approximately $3,000 per kilogram of ivory (elephant tusk). Poaching has been such a massive problem that there are only 300,000 elephants left in the entirety of Africa! People around the world need to be educated that poaching is an increasing problem in Africa, and that animals like the rhino do not need to be killed for their horns. Awareness of the issue is key in prevention, and CCF is making efforts to increase anti-poaching education throughout Namibia.
While at CCF, we were given multiple lectures to help educate us not only about the cheetah, but also about big, current issues in Namibia. The lecture that I found most interesting was about the poaching problem that is highly affecting wildlife and livestock in Africa. We learned that there are two different types of poaching: subsistence and commercial. Subsistence poaching is small scale and often intended to provide food for a family, while commercial poaching is large scale and performed for economic benefit. Both types of poaching are growing increasingly problematic, but for different reasons. Subsistence poaching is becoming more and more popular around CCF land because of hard times in town and a lack of livestock on other farms. Commercial poaching is affecting both South Africa and Namibia greatly, and many elephants and and rhinos are being killed for their tusks and horns. In South Africa, everything is so corrupt that it is bad for someone witnessing a poaching to call the authorities because they have then given the location of valuable wildlife. Namibia had always been an a country "untouched" by poachers, but in the last two years the poaching rates have increased severely. The worst part about the entire poaching process is that the poachers, especially commercial, are rarely caught because they have extremely advanced tools to assist them. These tools include helicopters (for use in national parks), drones, airplanes, night vision goggles, heavy weaponry, inside intelligence, and sometimes even laws that work in favor of the poacher. Poaching is so hard to control not only because the poachers possess these tools and advantages, but also because of the money they make. A kilogram of rhino horn is worth approximately $60,000, and approximately $3,000 per kilogram of ivory (elephant tusk). Poaching has been such a massive problem that there are only 300,000 elephants left in the entirety of Africa! People around the world need to be educated that poaching is an increasing problem in Africa, and that animals like the rhino do not need to be killed for their horns. Awareness of the issue is key in prevention, and CCF is making efforts to increase anti-poaching education throughout Namibia.
Our fourth day in Namibia was probably my favorite of all. After breakfast, we left our campsite in Opuwo to go visit the Orotjitombo Primary School and the Himba village. At the school, we learned how to say several words in the Himba language, including "moro" for "hello," "perivi" for "how are you," and "nawa" for "I am well." After greeting the children, we proceeded to take lots and lots of pictures of and with them. They really liked to see the pictures after we took them, and they would always point themselves and their friends out in a large group photo. The girls at the school loved to play a game called Net Ball, which was basically keep-away. It surprised me how athletic and fit they all were; we played the game non-stop for such a long time and they never showed signs of being tired. Mind you, I was panting and gasping for water. After visiting the school, we had the privilege of traveling to the nearby Himba village where we got to learn about their traditions and lifestyle. It was amazing to see how content the Himba people were with their lives, and my initial pity for them transformed into utmost respect by the end of our visit. Overall, it was extremely fun to get to hang out and play with the school children, learn all about the Himba tribe, and get to experience a different culture.
Our fourth day in Namibia was probably my favorite of all. After breakfast, we left our campsite in Opuwo to go visit the Orotjitombo Primary School and the Himba village. At the school, we learned how to say several words in the Himba language, including "moro" for "hello," "perivi" for "how are you," and "nawa" for "I am well." After greeting the children, we proceeded to take lots and lots of pictures of and with them. They really liked to see the pictures after we took them, and they would always point themselves and their friends out in a large group photo. The girls at the school loved to play a game called Net Ball, which was basically keep-away. It surprised me how athletic and fit they all were; we played the game non-stop for such a long time and they never showed signs of being tired. Mind you, I was panting and gasping for water. After visiting the school, we had the privilege of traveling to the nearby Himba village where we got to learn about their traditions and lifestyle. It was amazing to see how content the Himba people were with their lives, and my initial pity for them transformed into utmost respect by the end of our visit. Overall, it was extremely fun to get to hang out and play with the school children, learn all about the Himba tribe, and get to experience a different culture.
It was amazing to see how passionate everyone at the Cheetah Conservation Fund was about their collective efforts to save the cheetahs. One moment where their passion stood out to me was in the food preparation room with Kate Vannelli, where we organized and cut up donkey meat to feed to the cheetahs. It was a very unique and interesting task, but it reeked and was very time consuming. However, in the middle of the meat-chopping process, Kate held up her bloody hands and told us, "I have the best job in the world." Her smile and the tone of her voice let us know that she really meant it.
It was amazing to see how passionate everyone at the Cheetah Conservation Fund was about their collective efforts to save the cheetahs. One moment where their passion stood out to me was in the food preparation room with Kate Vannelli, where we organized and cut up donkey meat to feed to the cheetahs. It was a very unique and interesting task, but it reeked and was very time consuming. However, in the middle of the meat-chopping process, Kate held up her bloody hands and told us, "I have the best job in the world." Her smile and the tone of her voice let us know that she really meant it.
First of all, I am extremely grateful to have been given this amazing opportunity to go on Collegiate's international trip to Namibia. I look forward to every aspect of this trip, whether that be researching cheetahs, proposing conservation strategies, working with the Himba tribe, or forming relationships with other students. Because of the fact that we have been enrolled and actively participating in an online class called "Sustainable Conservation: Cheetah conservation 101" since January, we have been able to familiarize ourselves with the both the country of Namibia and the group with which we will be traveling. Homework assignments varied between articles, speeches, and videos, each with follow up questions to reflect upon what we had just learned. Additionally, there were numerous early-morning video chats with the entire group where we discussed new information and proposed solutions to current issues in Namibia. The online class was an overall success because we now have a better understanding of where we are going, who we will be with, and what Namibia has gone through as a country. I am so excited to travel to Namibia on this research trip, and can not even begin to imagine how incredible of an experience it is going to be!