Lionesses and cubs, near the Hoanib. Photo: P. Stander.
During this time of global uncertainty, the work of the IRDNC Rapid Response Teams, the Lion Rangers, and so many of the on-the-ground conservationists in northwest Namibia continues. Poaching and human-wildlife conflict care very little for Covid-19 and it remains imperative that wildlife conservation presses-on. Thanks to the tireless efforts of IRDNC’s directors and board and their partners, Namibia’s Ministry of Environment and Tourism is examining how to keep anti-poaching and human-wildlife conflict personnel, such as the Lion Rangers and Rapid Response Teams in the field.
Two subadults near Appa Spring in the Etendeka Concession
Over the past week, Dr. John Heydinger and Lion Ranger Field Operations Assistant Jendery Tsaneb, have been moving on foot through the Etendeka Concession in search of previously unmarked and uncollared groups of desert-adapted lions. This area is incredibly rugged and necessitated Heydinger and Tsaneb covering more than 80 km on-foot over five days. Their efforts were not in vain as ample evidence of multiple groups of lions inhabiting the area was uncovered.
During the past week some of the Lion Rangers, led by Sr. Lion Ranger Phineas Kasaona, performed reconnaissance work within the Anabeb, Ehirovipuka, and Omatendeka conservancies along the escarpment. These highland areas have been spared some of the worst effects of drought and in certain locations, including around the Otjomonbonde and Okahavariona waterholes, game was still visible; albeit in limited numbers. Some highlights included a group of five eland spotted in the southern Omatendeka conservancy, herds of springbok near Otjihapa, some intensive foot-based lion tracking, and cool temperatures at night. Special thanks to the ladies of Otjizeka for assisting us while performing some needed vehicle repairs.
The primary purpose of the visit was logistics planning for
2020-2021. For years a subpopulation of lions has inhabited the area but
without comprehensive population monitoring taking place. As was mentioned in
an earlier update, the Lion Rangers, in partnership with the University of
Minnesota Lion Center, are taking charge of monitoring lions in the area
beginning early next year. Watch this space for exciting news about the project
as well as updates from the field.
Lion Rangers and Rapid Response teams moving livestock; Sesfontein
April was busy for the Lion Rangers and IRDNC Rapid Response teams, as almost the entire month was spent in the field responding to or preventing human-lion conflict (HLC) incidents. As reported by Rapid Response Team Leader and Coordinator Cliff Tjikundi, the Lion Rangers and Rapid Response teams “successfully responded to eight (8) lion conflict incidents/occasions (2 in Sesfontein, 2 in Anabeb, 3 Ehi-rovipuka and 1 in Torra), preventing further [livestock and lion] incidents/losses. The most crucial ones were the two (2) incidents in Sesfontein conservancy, at Ganamub and Elephant song, where the team was actively collecting livestock from the field into kraals at night. In the process two (2) cattle were killed, but this could have been worse as the situation lasted for about two weeks, before the lions returned to the Hoanib river. This was one of those situations where lions find themselves in areas with lot of cattle and are difficult to access with vehicles. The lions seem to use the geography to their advantage to avoid people.” In the past such situations have often resulted in lions being translocated. This process is led by Philip Stander of the Desert Lion Conservation Project (DLC). However, for the first time the Rapid Response teams and Lion Rangers resolved an intensive series of conflicts without the direct assistance of DLC! This is a monumental development in efforts to foster community-based conservation of the desert-adapted lion population. The greater responsibility that the Lion Rangers, Rapid Response teams, and community members can take in fostering safe human-lion interactions, the brighter the prospect for the area’s farmers and lions.
There have also been dramatic improvements concerning
lion incidents in Ehi-rovipuka and Omatendeka conservancies, as there were no
recorded livestock losses in April. This is due to improved lion monitoring by
a team consisting of the Ministry of Environment and Tourism (MET), AfriCat North
and the Lion Rangers/Rapid Response teams. Efforts in this area have been
emphasizing regular patrols and monitoring along the Etosha and Hobatere
fences, while community engagement efforts are focusing on developing farmers’
willingness to report lion movements in farming areas.
In northwest Namibia communal farmers and desert-adapted lions share an arid landscape. When prey is scarce, lions can predate farmers’ livestock, leading to lions being killed in response. The Lion Rangers, a group of trained, community conservationists are working to limit livestock losses and reduce human-lion conflict. One tool in the Lion Rangers’ arsenal is the Early-Warning System, an innovative new program that began operation in 2018.
It starts with the erection of an Early-Warning Tower at a farmers’ homestead. This tower searches for collared lions and alerts farmers when lions are in the area by activating a series of lights and sirens so farmers can take precautions to secure their livestock.
Lion Rangers are then deployed to the field to find lions in the affected area, to fit them with Early-Warning collars.
Working with community leaders and farmers the Lion Rangers use local information and tracking to pinpoint where the relevant groups of lions move and reside.
Lions are tracked and lured, then darted by trained and registered professionals and fitted with Early-Warning collars that respond with the erected towers. The collars’ location and status can also be monitored remotely. The goal is to inform farmers’ of lion movements BEFORE lions enter the affected farming area. This is helping limit livestock losses and human-lion conflict.
When lions move into potential conflict areas, the information can be monitored and then disseminated to the relevant people.
The result are groups of lions that are observed safely and monitored remote. The aim is the long-term transformation of human and lion behavior: so that lions no longer seek farmers’ livestock and farmers are not forced to make the difficult decision to kill lions to protect their livestock.
Farmers in Tsiseb Conservancy receive first ever payment from the Wildlife Credits Scheme for livestock killed by lions.
The Namibia Association of CBNRM Support Organizations (NACSO) has published a story on Wildlife Credits being paid to farmers in the Tsiseb Conservancy who have recently lost livestock to lions. The lion conflict incidents in Tsiseb were written about previously on this site. Though the Lion Rangers responded and worked closely with the community, the losses had already taken place. While it is good to see the conservancies supporting their farmers, the Lion Rangers continue to work to limit conflict incidents so these type of payments can be minimized.
