Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF) has been selected by the Disney Wildlife Conservation Fund (DWCF) for an award for its work to ensure the survival of the wild cheetah. Specifically, the DWCF funds will go toward CCF's Livestock Guarding Dog Program, which is a successful, innovative program that has been helping to save the wild cheetah in Namibia since 1994.

CCF was selected from more than 240 applications reviewed by scientists, veterinarians and other animal experts. The organizations range from large national groups to small community efforts, from Africa to Florida, and in total received $1.4 million in awards, bringing the DWCF total to more than $10 million in conservation projects supported.

"The ability to enable such important work to protect wildlife and wild places is a key component of Disney's mission," according to Jerry Montgomery, Sr. Vice President of Public Affairs, Walt Disney World. Montgomery oversees the DWCF program through Disney's office of conservation initiatives. He said the programs chosen demonstrate solid science, engage local communities, and measure the impact being made to protect the environment. "We also appreciate the fact that many of our Guests who visit Walt Disney World Resort and Disney Cruise Line contribute to DWCF, showing their own personal commitment to conservation." Disney pays all overhead costs of the program and Disney's corporate outreach program supplements DWCF awards. For a complete list of Disney Wildlife Conservation projects visit www.disneywildlifefund.com.

Dr. Laurie Marker, founder and Executive Director of Cheetah Conservation Fund states from Namibia, "It is gratifying to receive this tremendous recognition from the prestigious Disney Wildlife Conservation Fund, acknowledging and supporting CCF's work in Africa to save the last of the cheetahs through our Livestock Guarding Dog Program. It is only through support of this kind that the Cheetah Conservation Fund is able to work in places like Namibia, Kenya and Iran to help put in place lasting measures that will ensure that the cheetah will remain in the wild for future generations to come."