2023 was a challenging, and rewarding, year for the Lion Rangers and for desert-adapted lion conservation. Read a short document detailing our 2023 program highlights here.
Lion Rangers 2023 Highlights
desert-adapted lions
Northwest Lion Population Survey Overview
The Northwest Lion Population Survey took place from 6 November 2022 to 6 January 2023. This was the first comprehensive count of lions inhabiting northwest Namibia. An overview of the survey’s outcomes was recently published in an online version of the annual Conservation and Environment in Namibia magazine. This overview outlines the process and results of the survey. Highlights include the estimated northwest lion population of 57-60 adult individuals, and low density, estimated at 0.11 lions/100 sq. km.
The complete version is available here.
A full report of the Northwest Lion Population survey has been submitted to Namibia’s Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism (MEFT) management for comment. It will be made available by MEFT in due course.
Get to Know the Desert-Adapted Lions
An important part of monitoring the desert-adapted lions is maintaining a near-comprehensive account of each individual in the population. As part of the recently-completed Northwest Lion Population Survey, the Lion Rangers and partnering researchers were able to identify and photograph what we consider to be each adult member of the population. (Of course, we keep working to identify other individuals.)
We are pleased to now include on this virtual space a comprehensive photographic account of each known individual composing the desert-adapted lion population. This roster will be updated as new information and photographic evidence becomes available. The ‘Desert-adapted Lions’ link and heading will remain at the top of this site going forward.
More Collaring to Limit Conflict
Over the past two weeks the Lion Rangers, in partnership with MEFT Regional Services and Game Capture staff, collared six lions (one male and three females) along the boundary of Etosha National Park and within the communal areas of northwest Namibia. These operations, requested by MEFT, are an important part of continuing to limit human-lion conflict and secure the desert-adapted lion population.
Continue readingCollaring to Limit Conflict
Over the past week, Lion Rangers from Anabeb, Doro !Nawas, Ehi-rovipuka, Omatendeka, and Torra conservancies joined forces to track and collar conflict-causing lions in Anabeb and Omatendeka conservancies. The lack of adequate rainfall this past year has pushed prey species into the mountains of Kunene, leaving lions and other large carnivores with limited prey options in many areas. This has led to a recent uptick in human-lion conflict (HLC). To support the livelihoods of rural communities and keep lions safe, the Lion Rangers and Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism (MEFT) staff engaged in an emergency collaring operation. Additionally, in partnership with veterinarian Dr. Diethardt Rodenwoldt, the Research Team decided to translocate a conflict-causing male from a farming area in the ǂKhoadi-ǁHôas Conservancy.
Continue readingCollaring in Anabeb Conservancy
Over the past week the Lion Rangers, partnering with Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism Game Capture and Regional Services staff, recollared the lioness XPL-139 in the Anabeb Conservancy. Following the Northwest Lion Population Survey, the Lion Rangers and MEFT Regional Services have put a renewed emphasis on re-collaring lions inhabiting communal lands, particularly those living close to farming areas. XPL-139, along with her pride-mates XPL-137 and XPL-138 have consistently stayed close to the Okomimuno farming area of Anabeb.
Continue readingPatrol and Trail Cameras around Brandberg
A lingering question from the Northwest Lion Population Survey has been the presence or absence of lions around the Brandberg area of Tsiseb Conservancy. In the past it was known that a small group of lions inhabited the ephemeral Ugab riverbed and surrounding landscape. During the population survey no lions or evidence of lions was found in the area. To be more certain, the Lion Rangers Research Team and Sorris Sorris Rangers spent the past week intensively searching the Ugab and surrounding landscape.
Continue readingPopulation Survey Week 7: Eastern Conservancies
We begin the eastern portion of the Northwest Lion Population Survey focusing on the conservancies of ≠Khoadi-//Hoas, Omatendeka, and Orupupa. For these remaining weeks, three teams are responsible for different areas along the escarpment and bordering Etosha National Park. In recent years this has been the main area of human-lion conflict in the northwest, as well as containing the majority of lions in Kunene. During this first week we observed and photographed lions across the area – the groups appear to be thriving.
Continue readingPopulation Survey Week 4: Southern Expanses
After a short weekend break, the Northwest Lion Population Survey resumed. Refreshed teams of Lion Rangers, teaming with MEFT staff and researchers, began executing a plan to cover the desert-adapted lions range all the way to its southern extent of the Ugab River. Having strengthened our methods through three weeks of completed work, the teams set-off with a clearer picture of how to most efficiently and effectively cover the landscape. While the first three weeks focused on areas of extremely low lion population density, we anticipate the coming weeks to yield even more sightings and unexpected encounters with unknown individuals.
Continue readingPopulation Survey Week 3: Northern Palmwag
The Northwest Lion Population Survey continues into its third week. The Palmwag Concession is an important source of desert-adapted lions in Kunene. From this core many lions disperse to adjacent communal areas. Intensively monitored by Namibia’s Save the Rhino Trust, to combat rhino-poaching activities, the springs of Palmwag are well-known and SRT trackers serve as an important locus of information concerning lions’ movements. Though the Concession itself has few major rivers, notably the Aub, Barab and Uniab, the springs help maintain a robust population of prey species.
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