How training dogs to dodge snakes helps protect livestock and save Namibia's cheetahs

A Namibian farmer with a livestock guarding dog trained by the Cheetah Conservation Fund. © Cheetah Conservation Fund

Namibia – Dogs trained to guard goats and sheep against cheetahs in Namibia are being felled at an alarming rate by venomous snakes – so conservationists are piloting a new training method to teach the dogs to avoid them.

By protecting livestock from attacks, dogs can play a crucial role in reducing conflict between farmers and endangered predators.