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Namibian Wildlife Surveys archive

This archive of reports of wildlife surveys in Namibia aims to:

  • provide easy public access to published information and statistics
  • enable easy stakeholder access to recent and historical data on wildlife populations
  • provide a comprehensive archive of wildlife survey reports in Namibia

Public access to information is a vital component of ensuring community engagement in prevalent issues. Wildlife surveys are critical to determine the health of wildlife populations and determine trends over time to guide conservation and management actions. 

Wildlife surveys are done for different species using methods that are suited to counting them (e.g. by air or road) in their natural habitats. Such surveys need to be repeated over time to detect long-term trends and inform conservation managers. The Namibian government, non-governmental organisations and private reserves all conduct regular surveys covering different parts of Namibia and targeting different species. This archive will thus serve as a repository of our collective knowledge of the trends and status of a variety of species occurring throughout Namibia.

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Displaying results 1 - 46 of 46
Namibian Association of CBNRM Support Organisations (NACSO) 2023. Game counts - transboundary: 2017 - 2023.

Estimates were calculated using DISTANCE which takes account in drop-off in detectability of animals with distance from the transect line. Where there are no values too few observations were recorded to allow for meaningful estimates to be derived. Attempts should be made to fill these gaps. Kwandu conservancy differs from the other 3 more strictly protected areas in that it contains a significant human presence. It is not expected to have the same species densities, but it is an important wildlife corridor between the national parks.

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Kaza_2023 final.pdf 383.91 KB
Craig GC, Gibson DSC, Uiseb KH 2021. Namibia's elephants - population, distribution and trends. Pachyderm 62 35-52

Namibia's elephants extend across the north of the country. They occur in six main areas of the known Namibian range - the north-west, Etosha National Park (NP), Mangetti National Park, northern Kavango, Khaudum National Park/Nyae Nyae Conservancy and Zambezi Region. Seasonal changes in distribution are related to water availability. There are movements of elephants between Namibia and its neighbours, particularly Botswana, and mainly from Zambezi Region. The largest populations are found in the north-east of the country, in Khaudum/Nyae Nyae and Zambezi Region.

Matthys D 2021. Kaza-Wide aerial survey of elephants launched.

The partner states of the Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA TFCA), Namibia, Botswana, Angola, Zambia and Zimbabwe last week launched the first-ever coordinated aerial survey of elephants in Windhoek. Speaking at the launch, Executive Director in the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism, Theofilus Nghitila said the survey is a fundamental component of the KAZA Strategic Planning Framework for the Conservation and Management of Elephants. "The survey will be coordinated by the KAZA Secretariat in close collaboration with designated teams in…

Thomson G 2020. Counting Cats - An updated national leopard survey for Namibia. Conservation and the Environment in Namibia (2020)

Leopards are among the most enchanting big cats in the world. Their beauty, raw power and elusiveness have fascinated humans through the ages. Our fascination with leopards is a double-edged sword for the big cat, however. The value we place on seeing this beautiful big cat draws tourists and provides funding for conservation.

Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism (MEFT) 2020. An overview of elephant conservation and management in Namibia.

An overview of elephant conservation and management in Namibia.

Kolberg H 2017. Status assessment of Namibia's vultures . Lanioturdus 50 (1) 9-17

Vultures provide essential ecological services, yet are amongst the world's most threatened species with populations having declined by more than 95% within ten years in some places. The biggest factor causing this decline is the use of poison, either intentionally or unintentionally. Other factors causing declines are collision with and electrocution by powerlines, illegal harvesting for traditional medicines, habitat loss and drowning in reservoirs.

Kolberg H 2016. Book Review: Birds of Botswana by Peter Hancock and Ingrid Weiersbye, Princeton University Press . Lanioturdus 49 (1) 28

The species accounts are very detailed, doubtlessly benefitting from Peter's intimate and long-term knowledge of Botswana's birds. The range maps give one an immediate indication of where the bird occurs and the breeding bars give one an idea of when to expect the bird and when it breeds. These will prove handy when identifying e.g. migratory birds. The excellent illustrations show the birds in their local race and where sexes and ages differ, these are also illustrated. Perhaps one shortcoming of the illustrations is, that diagnostic features e.g.

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Book Review_Birds of Botswana.pdf 346.34 KB
Kolberg H 2013. Report on a mountain zebra aerial survey in the Naukluft and Khomas Hochland, 19 to 24 June 2013.

An aerial survey specifically aimed at mountain zebra (Equus zebra hartmannae) was carried out by the survey unit of the Ministry of Environment and Tourism from 19 to 24 June 2013. The survey covered the Naukluft Mountains in the Namib-Naukluft Park and a large area of the Khomas Hochland west of Windhoek, between the Swakop River in the north and the Naukluft Mountains in the south (Figure 1). The survey was carried out using a Bell Jet Ranger 206 helicopter (V5-HIR) with a crew of four using standard aerial survey methodology.

Kilian JW 2010. The use of GPS /Satellite collars to study the movement patterns of elephant in the Kunene Region in an integrated way to conserve elephants in a sustainable manner across a mosaic of landscapes.

This proposed study focuses on the elephants of the Kunene/Etosha cluster. The elephants outside Etosha is still largely a free ranging population over much of a 100 000 km² range. For the purpose of this proposal the study area (Figure 1) encompasses the extreme western area of Etosha, Skeleton Coast Park, communal conservancies, concessions and the private farming land south of Etosha. The average rainfall ranges from <50mm to 300mm. Recently, human-elephant conflicts have received a lot of attention in this Region.

Kolberg H 2009. Of gale-force winds and balmy days - Narrative of twenty-five days of bird counting in the wild hinterland of Namibia . Lanioturdus 42 (2) 2-4
Kolberg H 2009. Population Census of Flamingos in Namibia, July 2008 . Lanioturdus 42 (2) 12-14

The southern African Lesser Flamingo population was estimated to number 55,000 - 65,000 individuals in the mid-1990s, but these were either under estimates or the numbers have increased since, because at times Kamfers Dam, the Goldfields wetlands (in South Africa), Etosha Pan (Namibia) and Sua Pan (Botswana) each support more than that number. In order to try and get to grips with the size of the southern African population of Lesser Flamingos, a coordinated survey was planned for 20-21 July 2008.

Kolberg H 2009. Summary of the 2007 Ringing Season in Namibia . Lanioturdus 42 (1) 15-19

The 30 June 2008 signaled the end of the 2007 ringing season and the following is a summary thereof. In total 9 637 birds of 270 species were ringed or re-trapped, controlled etc. this season. Out of this total 9 033 were newly ringed birds (i.e. SAFRING code 1). Data from 19 ringers was received and Dirk Heinrich once again is the "ringing king" of code 1 birds, followed by Tim Osborne and Mark Boorman but in the re-trap etc. category Tim pipped Dirk, followed by Ursula Franke. Dirk also held top spot in the number of different species ringed category.

Ministry of Environment and Tourism (MET) 2007. Species Management Plan - Elephants, Loxodonta africana .

Elephants occur across the entire north of Namibia with two main sub-populations in the north-east and the north-west. In 2004 the total population was estimated at over 16,000 animals and, allowing for underestimates on aerial surveys, the true number in 2007 is likely to be closer to 20,000. The north-western population is about 4,000 animals and includes the elephants in Etosha. This appears to be growing at about 3.3% per annum and expanding its range.

2005. North west aerial survey 2005 - first draft, 24 November 2005.
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North west aerial survey 2005.pdf 2.87 MB
Brown CJ, Stander P, Meyer-Rust R, Mayes S 2004. Results of a Crocodile Crocodylus niloticus survey in the river systems of north-east Namibia during August 2004 .

This study has provided baseline data on crocodile numbers from aerial and spotlight counts. These data can be used with the results of future counts to determine population trends. The census has also provided information on their distribution of crocodiles in the Kavango and Caprivi regions. And third, it has resulted in the first population estimate for crocodiles in the north-east wetlands of Namibia.

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Crocodile Survey in NE Namibia_2004.pdf 404.87 KB
Tyler SJ 2001. A review of waterbird counts in Botswana, 1991 - 2000 . Babbler Special Supplement (1)
Stander P 2001. Population ecology and long term monitoring of free-ranging populations in Namibia's marginal and arid environments.

The study sites are covered systematically, by tracking their spoor and setting out bait, to capture and mark all individual leopards and lions. Study animals are immobilised following standard procedures described by our earlier studies and conform to international veterinary standards. All leopards and 80% of lions are radio collared and lions are marked with permanent hot brands. The age of lions and leopards are determined from tooth wear. Radio-collared animals are located with the use of a fixed-wing aircraft.

Barnes RFW, Craig GC, Dublin HT, Overton G, Simons W, Thouless CR 1998. African elephant database.
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African elephant database_1998.pdf 10.94 MB
Berry HH 1996. Overview of past, present and future for Namibia's lions.
Robertson A, Simmons RE, Jarvis AM, Brown CJ 1995. Can Bird Atlas data be used to estimate population size? A case study using Namibian endemics . Biological Conservation 71 87 - 95

An assessment of population size is a fundamental stage in the conservation of any species. The recent availability of data from the Southern African Bird Atlas Project (SABAP) provides a tool to investigate the status and distribution of approximately 900 bird species covered by this work. Here, we assess whether or not reporting rate can be used to establish absolute abundance and thereby produce estimates of population size.

Herremans M, Brown CJ, Borello WD, Herremans-Tonnoeyr D 1993. The abundance of European Rollers Coracias garrulus in Botswana and Namibia . Ostrich: Journal of African Ornithology 64 (2) 93 – 94

Short paper discussing previous documented records and interpretation in relation to records data.

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European Rollers in Namibia_1993.pdf 3.06 MB
Loutit R, Douglas-Hamilton I 1992. Report on an elephant count in the Cunene province, Namibia - 10th to 21st October 1992 .

Report on an elephant count in the Cunene province, Namibia. Keywords: Namibia, Kunene River, aerial survey, wildlife management, wildlife density, elephant census, elephant distribution, wildlife conservation.

Brown CJ 1989. Pygmy Falcon population in the central Namib desert, Namibia . Gabar 3 10 - 13

Distribution is restricted by the availability of Sociable Weaver nests, rather than by other environmental factors. There is a 26% occupancy rate and the falcons choose larger Sociable Weaver nest masses.

Brown CJ, Cooper TG 1987. The status of cliff-nesting raptors on the Waterberg SWA/Namibia . Madoqua 15 (3) 243 - 249
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Brown_1987_Madoqua_15_3_raptors.pdf 1.51 MB
Brown CJ 1985. The status and conservation of the Cape Vulture in SWA/Namibia . Vulture News 14 4 - 15
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Brown CJ 1985 Vulture News 14_4_15.pdf 386.16 KB
Thackeray JF 1980. New approaches in interpreting archaeological faunal assemblages with examples from southern Africa. South African Journal of Science 76 (5) 216-223

Modern faunal communities in South West Africa/Namibia - A census of mammals in 16 districts in South West Africa/Namibia was undertaken by Joubert and Mostert. These were distributed in northern, central, and southern S.W.A., and varied in area from approximately 20 000 to 60 000 km². Despite the uncertainties and limitations of this census, the data provide useful information on distribution patterns, relative abundances and species diversity.

Lensing JE, Joubert E 1976. Intensity distribution patterns for five species of problem animals in South West Africa.

Black-backed jackal, baboon, rock hyrax, caracal and cape hunting dog.

Hoesch W, von Lehmann E 1956. Zur Säugetier-Fauna Südwestafrikas. Bonner Zoologische Beiträge 7 8-57
The mammals of South West Africa.
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Zur Saugetier_Fauna Sudwestafrikas.pdf 19.25 MB
1926. Distribution of game in South West Africa - District map.
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South West Africa_District Map_1926.pdf 1.96 MB
1926. Distribution of game in South West Africa - Okahandja.

Estimates of the numbers of each game species, a description of their status and maps of their distribution per district as reported to the Secretary to South West Africa by the District Office of the Magistrate.

1926. Distribution of game in South West Africa - Gibeon.

Estimates of the numbers of each game species, a description of their status and maps of their distribution per district as reported to the Secretary to South West Africa by the District Office of the Magistrate.

1926. Distribution of game in South West Africa - Swakopmund.

Estimates of the numbers of each game species, a description of their status and maps of their distribution per district as reported to the Secretary to South West Africa by the District Office of the Magistrate.

1926. Distribution of game in South West Africa - Maltahöhe.

Estimates of the numbers of each game species, a description of their status and maps of their distribution per district as reported to the Secretary to South West Africa by the District Office of the Magistrate.

1926. Distribution of game in South West Africa - Otjiwarongo.

Estimates of the numbers of each game species, a description of their status and maps of their distribution per district as reported to the Secretary to South West Africa by the District Office of the Magistrate.

1926. Distribution of game in South West Africa - Summary for all districts.

Estimates of the numbers of each game species as reported to the Secretary to South West Africa by the District Office of the Magistrate.

1926. Distribution of game in South West Africa - Lüderitz.

Estimates of the numbers of each game species, a description of their status and maps of their distribution per district as reported to the Secretary to South West Africa by the District Office of the Magistrate.

1926. Distribution of game in South West Africa - Ovamboland.

Estimates of the numbers of each game species, a description of their status and maps of their distribution per district as reported to the Secretary to South West Africa by the District Office of the Magistrate.

1926. Distribution of game in South West Africa - Karibib.

Estimates of the numbers of each game species, a description of their status and maps of their distribution per district as reported to the Secretary to South West Africa by the District Office of the Magistrate.

1926. Distribution of game in South West Africa - Keetmanshoop.

Estimates of the numbers of each game species, a description of their status and maps of their distribution per district as reported to the Secretary to South West Africa by the District Office of the Magistrate.

1926. Distribution of game in South West Africa - Grootfontein.

Estimates of the numbers of each game species, a description of their status and maps of their distribution per district as reported to the Secretary to South West Africa by the District Office of the Magistrate.

1926. Distribution of game in South West Africa - Warmbad.

Estimates of the numbers of each game species, a description of their status and maps of their distribution per district as reported to the Secretary to South West Africa by the District Office of the Magistrate.

1926. Distribution of game in South West Africa - Gobabis.

Estimates of the numbers of each game species, a description of their status and maps of their distribution per district as reported to the Secretary to South West Africa by the District Office of the Magistrate.

1926. Distribution of game in South West Africa - Bethanie.

Estimates of the numbers of each game species, a description of their status and maps of their distribution per district as reported to the Secretary to South West Africa by the District Office of the Magistrate.

1926. Distribution of game in South West Africa - Windhoek.

Estimates of the numbers of each game species, a description of their status and maps of their distribution per district as reported to the Secretary to South West Africa by the District Office of the Magistrate.

1926. Distribution of game in South West Africa - Omaruru.

Estimates of the numbers of each game species, a description of their status and maps of their distribution per district as reported to the Secretary to South West Africa by the District Office of the Magistrate.

1926. Distribution of game in South West Africa - Outjo.

Estimates of the numbers of each game species, a description of their status and maps of their distribution per district as reported to the Secretary to South West Africa by the District Office of the Magistrate.

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