Bushmans Kloof and its Anatolian Shepherd Dogs

Highly regarded for its commitment to conservation and sustainability, we have partnered with Cheetah Outreach for its latest venture at Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve & Wellness Retreat. The project was designed to ensure that local farming communities are able to protect their livestock from predators in a responsible and sustainable manner, whilst also helping to safeguard one of the region’s most endangered animals.

This sustainable solution comes in the form of Anatolian Sheep Dogs. The dogs serve as livestock guardians and have been chosen thanks to the breed’s longstanding reputation for protective instincts. Originally from central Turkey, Anatolian Sheep Dogs can be relied upon for their keen eyesight as well as their impressive speed and agility and have long been used to fend off local predators. A working breed with an impressive size, they are known for their loyal instincts as well as their sandy colouring, which is intended to blend in seamlessly with the herds that the dogs protect.

Guests of Bushmans Kloof can visit one of these farms to embark on an exceptional local experience. You'll be able to observe the dogs and meet the farmers raising and keeping them.

Notoriously elusive and rare, the Cape Leopard lives in the Cederberg Mountains that surround Bushmans Kloof. Unfortunately, as the human population in the local area has increased, so too has the number of attacks by the leopards on livestock. This not only damages the economic welfare of local people, but also threatens the region’s population of Cape Leopards as several have been killed by farmers in an attempt to protect their livelihood.

About our Anatolian Shepherd Dogs 

The dogs are kept by local farmers and are regularly checked over by Cheetah Outreach to ensure that they are fully trained and in the best condition for their role as guardians. Fully committed to protecting its environment, as well as the local communities and wildlife, Bushmans Kloof is delighted with this natural and responsible solution to the issue, which allows both the Cederberg’s farming communities and the Cape Leopard population to flourish.

In 2018 we introduced Gabriel and Rocky to look after Irwin's farm. in 2019 a litter of five more joined, introducing Ajay, Daisy, Lady, Max, and Maya to the programme. 2020 then saw Thandi, Aza, Jambo, Bheka, Obi, and Keno join the rest of the dogs, a group that was expanded again in May of 2022 as four more puppies were placed around Clanwilliam in Cape Leopard areas. These puppies, called Keno, Zack, Titan, and Venus, have now all completed their training phase, having spent 2 months in their training kraals with a small herd. This phase was very important as it had a huge effect on the future success of the placement.

Keno

Zack

Titan

Venus

The success of Keno, Zack, Titan, and Venus in their training phase has been fruitful for the programme, culminating in the welcome of five more Anatolian puppies as of July this year (2022). As a result, we now have 20 dogs helping us make strides towards our goal of ensuring community and wildlife protection.

The names of the newest puppies are Bailley, Shelby, and Cali (the female puppies) and Sierra and Baxter (the programme's latest male puppies), and their smooth settling into life on the programme continues our optimism and excitement towards our partnership with Cheetah Outreach, and the sustainable impact that we are having.