UK and Ireland Tour: May 2006

Report by Laurie Marker

I was also in the UK from May 8th to the 15th for our third annual Cheetah Week! My tour started at the beautiful Edinburgh Zoo, where I gave an illustrated presentation on cheetahs, and an update on the conservation work going on to protect them. After the talk, Carol Barrett, a fantastic wildlife artist, held an auction which included several original pieces of her cheetah art that raised quite a bit of money for CCF's programs.

Back in London, I attended a private view of "Wild at Art" organized by the Friends of Conservation UK in support of the Cheetah Conservation Fund. The show showcased artworks by artist Jan Coutts, who has exhibited extensively since graduating in 1994. Her wildlife portraits convey a sense of freedom, power and survival. It was a great opportunity to see old friends, and meet new ones.

Then, a stop at the London Zoo to meet with colleagues, and on to Oxford to meet with more colleagues at the University of Oxford's WildCru, and to give a lecture at the all-boys' Summer Fields School.

I then traveled on to Surrey for the Cheetah Party of the Year hosted by Noel and Paula Boyd. Noel has been a cheetah friend of ours for a long time, and on this occasion he celebrated his 60th birthday by asking guests to make a donation to CCF. The party was incredible with three bands, African dancers and everyone in themed safari costumes of some sort, ending a great evening with a huge auction that raised funds for CCF's activities.

Before returning home to Namibia, I made a stop in Ireland to give talks at FOTA Wildlife Park in County Cork, and another one in Waterford for the Irish Wildlife Trust. FOTA has been one of the most successful cheetah breeding facilities in Europe, and I continue to see why, as the cheetahs are enclosed in large natural settings.

Thanks so much to everyone at CCF UK and Friends of Conservation UK for all their efforts in putting this tour together.