Laurie Marker lives on a wildlife farm in Namibia, right in the heart of Africa, writes Zahra Akkerhuys.

In a way, she is a modern-day version of lion lover Joy Adamson, whose story captured the hearts of millions through the story Born Free.

She may be far from her family and many of her friends but she wouldn't leave Namibia for anything. It is home to 2,500 of the world's 12,000 cheetahs and they have become the raison d'etre of Laurie's life.

The 46-year-old Oxford research student has been living in Namibia for more than 25 years, alongside the creatures she so adores.Cat saviour: Laurie Marker

When asked what it is about cheetahs she loves so much she pauses for a second to composes her thoughts.

She then draws a deep breath and speaks almost in a whisper.

"Cheetahs are the most beautiful, graceful animals on earth. Even after all this time I have spent with them they never fail to enthral me. They have been revered by humans for thousands of years and we need to give them the level of respect that they truly deserve. To see them in action is amazing, it's incredible.

"The speed and accuracy with which they move is hard to describe. They are one of the best hunting animals and they play an important role in the eco-system. They have to be careful that other animals don't steal their food because they believe in flight not fight. After they have eaten what they need the scavengers swoop in and clear up."

Laurie's work aims to help halt the decline of the cheetah's already-endangered population.

A decade ago, the Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF) was established with an aim to secure the survival of wild cheetahs.

American-born Laurie is affiliated to Lady Margaret Hall and her supervisor is the respected predatory specialist Dr David Macdonald, of the Wild Crew.

She is currently writing up eight years of research into the animals looking at ways to stop local farmers eliminating the magnificent cats which they see as vermin and a threat to their livelihood.

For decades farmers have not thought twice about protecting their herds by shooting cheetahs but Laurie has been working hard to change these in-built attitudes and find a way for cheetahs to live side-by-side with farmers and their herds.

She and her six-strong research team have been developing alternative ways for farmers to protect their livestock, such as using Anatolian shepherd dogs to protect the herds.

The CCF breeds and trains the dogs at a cost of 30,000 each year. The dogs are then used by local farmers to protect their livestock.

In this way the farmers learn there is an alternative to killing cheetahs and they therefore learn to live side by side in harmony.

And in addition to Laurie's important research and the fund's work with the dog programme, the CCF has just opened a new visitor centre.

The centre is based on a 15,000 acre game farm right in the heart of cheetah country. The entire centre has been funded by American businessman Robert Haas who has a passion for cheetahs.

"We have a world class research and education centre right in the middle of nowhere. We have all sorts of information on the physiology of cheetahs and their role in the eco-system as well as information about their genetic background.

"The centre was opened by our president His Excellency Dr Sam Nujoma, who is also patron of CCF," Laurie fizzes with excitement.

"Our work is really having an impact and farmers' attitudes are now changing."

Laurie grew up on her parents' farm in California and was a cat-lover at an early age but little did she know where her passion for cats would lead her. It all started with her first job at Oregon Wildlife Safari Park, where she met her first cheetah, and the rest is history.

Earlier this year Laurie was named one of the Heroes of the Planet by Time magazine, but though she was flattered by the award she sees herself as little more than a spokeswoman for a species, which is too vulnerable fight for itself. CCF is a worldwide organisation and it's UK branch is based in Surrey.

The charity is currently looking for an honorary director, based in Oxfordshire, who would be able to help administrate the UK branch.

Branch members are doing all they can to raise the vital funds needed to continue to finance the visitor's centre and the rest of the project. CCF (UK) treasurer Alan Lester, who runs Delcoy's luggage shop in the Covered Market, is now selling mugs, sweatshirts and other items all emblazoned with a cheetah theme to raise the vital funds needed to keep Laurie's project going.

He is also selling cuddly toy cheetahs aiming to raise awareness amongst children of the plight of the cheetah.

And people have the chance to adopt-a-cheetah for 25 through CCF. Their money will help maintain their cheetah's environment and ensure it continues to be protected from hunters and farmers.