A Future for Cheetahs by Dr. Laurie Marker

This is one of the most beautiful books I have ever seen, the author; Dr Laurie Marker has been working with cheetahs for over thirty years.

It begins by explaining the lifecycle of these beautiful animals, starting with the cubs’ life, through adolescence and into adulthood, and contains a huge amount of information, not only about the cheetah, but also its impact and role, in the lives of the humans it has lived alongside, throughout history.

The work of the Cheetah Conservation Fund is explained, not only their scientific and conservation research, but also their practical approach to protecting these animals by looking at the whole picture. The Fund realises that it is important to understanding that the African farmers look upon cheetahs entirely differently, they kill the livestock, and in doing so, put their livelihoods at risk. Therefore, they offer practical solutions, such as the introduction of the Livestock Guarding Programme in 1994, where Anatolian shepherd and Kangal dogs are given to the farmers. These dogs live with their flocks from puppyhood, becoming an integral part of the herd, and naturally protect both the animals and the children who herd them.

The challenges the cheetahs face for survival are integral to its, and many other species, natural surroundings, and the impacts of tourism, poaching, the illegal pet market and many other issues are covered too.

This is a truly beautiful book which is a joy to own, not only because of the outstanding photography by Suzi Eszterhas, but also because contains within its pages important messages which should be heeded,  for the survival of these magnificent animals.

Available in Hardback direct from the cheetah Conservation Fund http://cheetah.org/2014/03/announcing-a-new-book-a-future-for-cheet...

or Amazon.com http://www.amazon.com/Future-Cheetahs-Dr-Laurie-Marker/dp/061593320...