Guardians of the Wild: Dr. Laurie Marker’s Mission to Save the Cheetahs

In this episode of On the Road with Paul Ward, Paul welcomes Dr. Laurie Marker, founder of the Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF). Dr. Marker shares the inspiring story behind the creation of CCF, which began as an effort to prevent local farmers in Namibia, Africa, from killing cheetahs to protect their livestock. She describes how CCF became a model farm, implementing innovative solutions like the Livestock Guarding Dog program, which has successfully reduced livestock loss while protecting cheetahs and teaching sustainable farming practices. Dr. Marker also discusses Africa’s evolving conservation mindset over her 30+ years there, and CCF's collaborations with the Namibian government to ensure cheetahs remain in the wild.

Throughout the conversation, Dr. Marker provides insights into cheetah behavior, the global population status, and the challenges of the illegal pet trade. She shares her journey from the U.S. to Africa and how CCF has grown into a research and educational center, offering ecotourism and outreach programs that engage locals and visitors alike. To learn more about CCF, support their mission, or visit their ecotourism lodge, listeners can explore www.cheetah.org, where they can also find ways to contribute to the conservation of these remarkable animals.

Watch the Full Episode Here

What you’ll learn in this episode:
0:05 Welcome to On the Road and introduction of our guest: Dr. Laurie Marker with the Cheetah Conservation Fund

0:44 We learn what The Cheetah Conservation Fund is

1:29 Dr. Laurie Marker’s involvement began because of local farmers killing cheetahs

2:28 The Cheetah Conservation Fund is located in Namibia, Africa and learn about it being a model farm

3:22 Dr. Marker describes the Livestock Guarding Dog that are used to keep the cheetahs and other wildlife away from the farm animals

4:45 The decrease in livestock loss because of the dog program being used and replicated by others as well as reteaching people to live with livestock

6:15 The change in Africa’s conservation mindset over the 30+ year period of Dr. Marker living there

7:04 How The Cheetah Conservation Fund works with the Namibia government to keep the animals free and in the wild other than for research and we learn more about that

8:58 More about how cheetahs live: Males, females, cubs, etc

10:25 Dr. Marker gives insight on the global population of cheetahs and the illegal pet trade that occurs

13:15 The Cheetah Conservation Funds have multiple locations

14:57 Dr. Laurie Marker’s story and what made her move from the United States to Africa over 30 years ago

19:02 Finding answers to help the cheetahs, the communities that Dr. Laurie Marker and The Cheetah Conservation Fund works with to help their livelihood

20:39 Teaching the locals how to be sustainable, how and why the cheetahs may be killing their livestock

23:07 The Cheetah Conservation Fund has also turned into a learning center in Namibia and what the students learn

24:57 There is an Ecotourism lodge that is open to the public every day and learn more on social media and their website: www.cheetah.org

25:57 The Cheetah Conservation Fund is a 501c3 and how to get involved

26:14 How much does it cost to take care of a cheetah for a year?

27:31 The Cheetah Conservation Fund’s motto and a powerful quote by Dr. Laurie Marker

28:09 A special thank you to our sponsor: Opus Escrow

Related Episodes:
Bridging the Wild with Beth Pratt and the Highway 101 Animal Crossing

Vet Tales: Unveiling Holistic Animal Care with Dr. Rhiannon Fenton

Hear What All the Buzz is About: Larry Pender and the Jubilee HoneyBee Co

 

The Cheetah Conservation Fund:
www.cheetah.org
Mailing Address: Cheetah Conservation Fund P.O. Box 2496 Alexandria, VA 22301
Phone Number: 866-909-3399

Contact Paul Ward:
805-479-5004
paul@homeandranchteam.com

Have ideas for future episodes? We'd love to answer your questions - leave a comment! For any home buying or home selling needs in the Ventura County area of California, please reach out to Paul@HomeAndRanchTeam.com or visit www.HomeAndRanchTeam.com

A special THANK YOU to our sponsor, OPUS ESCROW! Farm Talk with Paul Ward would not be possible without the support of our sponsor Opus Escrow. Supporting our sponsor ensures Farm Talk can provide listeners with the best possible episodes.