Lion Rangers

Human-Lion Conflict in ≠Khoadi //Hoas

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Collared desert-adapted lioness near Ombonde research area.

Over the past week, a group of lions invaded a farm at Anker in the ≠Khoadi //Hoas Conservancy. Over two nights these lions destroyed 76 goats and sheep. Thankfully, there were no human injuries. During the ordeal ≠Khoadi //Hoas Lion Rangers worked in partnership with field staff from the Namibian Lion Trust to ensure human safety and attempt to move the lions out of the area. Unfortunately on the second night the lions returned while the Rangers were absent, leading to the widespread livestock death. A full write-up is available in The Namibian newspaper online.

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Assisting MEFT in Hobatere

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Desert-adapted lioness near Ombonde research area.

Over the past week the Lion Rangers provided field and technical support to the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism (MEFT) within and along the border of the Hobatere Concession. Lions inhabiting the Hobatere Concession frequently move beyond concession boundaries to cause human-lion conflict (HLC) on adjoining lands. The Lion Rangers from Ehi-roviupuka and Lion Ranger Patrol Leader Jendery Tsaneb were requested by MEFT to help track lions in Hobatere so satellite and early-warning collars could be fitted to help limit HLC.

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Collaring in Ombonde Research Area

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Male and female desert-adapted lions in Ombonde Research Area.

Partnering with MEFT Directorate of Scientific Services and game capture unit, over the past week the Lion Rangers have been undertaking an intensive collaring program in the Ombonde Research Area. Following the rapid assessment of northwest lions last week, MEFT management identified a high need for better collaring information of lions in Ombonde.

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Rapid Assessment of NW Lion Population

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Cub desert-adapted lion, Ombonde Research Area.

On 10 May the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism (MEFT) commissioned a rapid assessment of the status and condition of the desert-adapted lion population. Spanning the central (north-to-south) part of the desert-adapted lion range, this rapid assessment is being undertaken by staff from MEFT, Desert Lion Conservation, Namibian Lion Trust, the Lion Rangers, and Integrated Rural Development and Nature Conservation (IRDNC) and is being supported by Tourism Supporting Conservation (TOSCO).

Teams of Lion Rangers are currently at work in the conservancies of Anabeb, Omatendeka, Sesfontein, and Torra, as well as Etendeka Concession, assessing the body condition of as many desert-adapted lions as possible, as well as available prey and rainfall information to make proactive decisions about the lion population of northwest Namibia. This is in addition to the ongoing work of the Lion Rangers which is still underway.

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Veld Assessment and Monitoring in Anabeb and Sesfontein

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Collared desert-adapted lioness, Sesfontein Conservancy.

Erratic rainfalls are bringing a new set of challenges to desert-adapted lion monitoring in northwest Namibia. Over recent weeks the Lion Rangers, MEFT staff, and IRDNC Human-Wildlife Support Teams have been working round the clock to keep tabs on Kunene lions and limit human-lion conflict. This has proven particularly challenging in areas shared by farmers, their livestock, and lions where other prey is low.

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Translocation of XPL-133

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The lioness XPL-133 south of the Huab.

A lack of available prey is driving an apparent increase in human-lion conflict (HLC) in northwest Namibia, particularly among lions inhabiting the boundaries of the northern Namib desert. In December 2020, the Lion Rangers partnered with Dr. P. Stander of Desert Lion Conservation to collar the ‘new’ Huab pride. This group of four received the monikers XPL-133, XPL-134, and XPL-135, a fourth unmarked female is also part of the group. In the following months the group has been repeatedly monitored by the Lion Rangers to assess their condition and to help limit conflict at the area of De Riet in Torra Conservancy. This was initially successful. However, as rains began falling further east, the Huab lions were struggling to find available prey. This led to their first recorded conflict incident towards the end of March.

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Responding to HLC in Anabeb

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Four uncollared desert-adapted lionesses.

Human-lion conflict (HLC) has been on the rise in the areas bordering Palmwag Concession. In particular, around the Mbakondja area, a recent spate of HLC incidents have led to livestock mortalities and even in lions being shot with MEFT approval. This past week the Lion Rangers received a call of a cow being killed while herded in the field west of Khowareb. A woman was tending her goats and few cattle near an ephemeral waterpoint in the mountains when she reported two lions chased a cow away from the group. IRDNC Human-Wildlife Support Teams arrived within a few hours to find the remnants of the cow’s carcass and four lionesses resting nearby.

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Response at White Lady

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White Lady Painting at Brandberg.

Even desert-adapted lions like to take in Namibia’s iconic tourism destinations. Last week a group of three desert-adapted lions made themselves comfortable directly in front of Namibia’s famous ‘White Lady’ painting at Brandberg West. The groups’ presence temporarily closed the hiking trail, just as the busiest tourist weekend in more than a year was getting under way.

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HLC in the Huab

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Over the past weekend Rapid Response Team and Research Teams were in the area of the Huab responding to the close proximity of the ‘Group of Four’ to De Riet. While this group resides nearby, the lack of available prey west of the escarpment, following the good rains inland, is drawing our attention to them and other groups in the far west.

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Patrols in Ombonde

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Clouds gathering near base camp.

The rains are bringing unforeseen wildlife movements to the northwest, increasing the importance of active patrol to better account for lion, wildlife, and livestock movements. Last week’s Lion Ranger patrol in the Ombonde research and monitoring area emphasized uncovering seasonal waterpoints to better anticipate prey and lion movements during the rainy season.

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