by Mary Wykstra
December 2009 brought an end to the Cattle Dip project. This has been a three year project with the goals of:

• Developing sustainable dipping stations in four areas for improved livestock husbandry.
• Improving attitudes on wildlife conservation and predator issues.

To do this we conducted a series of training workshops to train the managers on the functions and maintenance of the dips, basic book keeping, project planning and stock taking. In this, the final workshop (8-9 March 2010) of the project we presented the management with the positive direction they have come in running a sustainable business as dip managers. We also told them the improvements they need to make in order to remain sustainable.

Each dip sent three representatives to the worshop. Presentations were given by the District Veterinary Officer, the Livestock Extension Officer, Ultravetis representatives, and Kenya Wildlife Service. Cosmas Wambua and Lumumba Mutiso presented information on farm management for the future of the region. Also two area chiefs attended the workshop.

While 85% of the people interviewed at the dips in the months of August - December 2009 felt that the current managment of the dips is sustainable, they also felt that the managment had more improvements to make. 98% of the interviewed people stated that the impact of cheetah conservation in the area had a positive effect on the community in terms of the sustainability and in the awreness about the environment. Look for a full report of the project soon.

Thank you to the sponsors Cheetah Friends Europe and Ultravetis.