Yebo Gogga 2012

Learners at our stand at Wits' "Yebo Gogga" learning about conservation

The education team has been very busy this year, and has also attended a few educational expo's. We were fortunate to have attended the Yebo Gogga Expo at Wits University this year, and saw a great number of learners.

Jedi the Anatolian Guard dog with the Yebo Gogga Mascot - a park town prawn..

The ages of the learners ranged from grade 1 - grade 12, and we were able to convey the message about our Cheetah centre, challenges for wildlife in South Africa, as well as explain the need for the Anatolian Guard dog in South Africa. Jedi, our Anatolian Guard dog Ambassador from the Ann van Dyk Cheetah Centre, had a great time, and also visited a few of the other exhibits during the course of the week. (he also napped here and there during quiet times...)

Jedi greeting a taxidermied wild dog at the JHB zoo exhibit

Jedi wonders if these saber tooths are still found today as he looks on at the paleantology display

Working anatolian with sheep

Anatolians are amazing dogs that grow up with livestock from a very early age, and are placed with either sheep, goats or cows. They grow up with these animals on farms, and protect them at all costs against predators such as jackals, caracals, cheetahs, even leopards and babboons. The reason The Ann van Dyk cheetah Centre promotes the use of these dogs, and contributes towards the breeding of these anatolion pups, is that if farmers have these dogs on their farms, they can live harmoniously with predators such as cheetahs. We often see severe injuries from traps, or cheetahs that have been shot because they are destroying farmers' livihood by killing livestock. These dogs are great!

An anatolian with goats

Jedi is a very sweet ambassador for this dog breed. He spent a great deal of time with humans while he was a pup, and his instincts tell him he must protect humans, particularly the "baby humans". He is very tolerant with children, and often allows many of them to cuddle him while we spread the word about the great job anatolians are doing in South Africa and Namibia to protect livestock, and therefore also protect cheetahs.

Rita educating while Jedi cuddles

Jedi was at Yebo Gogga for most of the week from 16-18 May this year. On the weekend, Byron our ambassador cheetah visited the adults and children that were present in the auditorium for the presentation that was given.

Jedi soaking up more cuddles - he was a real celebrity!

 

Jedi catching up on his beauty sleep