Search results

Determining wildlife numbers and their distribution patterns are an important and relevant factor for increasing scientific knowledge, to provide credible information for managerial decisions to conserve and protect biodiversity. This research was aimed at studying the distribution of wildlife species within the Fish River Canyon using different Geographical Information System (GIS) approaches and methods by analysing distribution patterns, slope and aspect analysis on which the animals were counted in, and favourable vegetation type from which different wildlife species were…

Annual counts were extended to include Ai-Ais Hot Springs in 2022. Three transects were counted representing an area of around 407 km² . More years of data are required before any trends or estimates can be generated.

The fundamental purpose of game counts in communal areas is to inform conservancies and MEFT of wildlife trends for the purposes of adaptive management of resources. While estimates of species numbers are provided, these should only be considered as an approximate guide to species abundance.

The fundamental purpose of game counts in communal areas is to inform conservancies and MEFT of wildlife trends for the purposes of adaptive management of resources. While estimates for some species are provided, these should only be considered an approximate guide to species abundance.

The dramatic spike in the proportion of gemsbok seen in Hobatere relative to the rest of the north-west reflects the decline in animal numbers in communal conservancies. In 2021, Palmwag, Etendeka and Hobatere concessions (only 9% of the total area) accounted for 60% of all gemsbok seen in the north-west. Due to the higher number of animals seen in Orupembe conservancy in 2022 this ratio dropped to 31%.

Game counts in north-west Namibia: Conservancies north of the veterinary fence - May 2022.

The Palmwag and Etendeka concession areas are important refuges for at least five of the main game species. The contrast in trends between kudu and gemsbok is noteworthy. While gemsbok numbers have declined dramatically throughout the entire north-west region, the contribution of the concessions has spiked in recent years. With kudu the contribution of concessions to numbers has dropped dramatically in the same period suggesting a different causal mechanism for the decline in numbers of the two species.

Wildlife populations in north-west Namibia were severely impacted in the 1980s by a combination of severe drought and poaching. Community conservation, formalised in 1996 through conservancies facilitated an increase in wildlife numbers through controlled utilisation and effective control of poaching. Between 1996 and 2012 most species experienced stable or growing population trends. However, a subsequent prolonged dry phase has resulted in a steady decline in populations of many game species. It is unclear how much illegal harvesting has contributed to this decline.

Game counts in north-west Namibia: Conservancies south of the veterinary fence - May 2022.

Line transects were initiated in 2017 and represent almost half of the total area of the conservancy and include most of the waterholes. The area not covered by transects has low animal densities due to reduced habitat suitability and people pressure. Transect counts have recorded 25 species including 6 predator species. Based on average spoor sightings and Event Book records, hyaena are the most common predator, followed by wild dog, leopard and jackal. The top 3 species in terms of sightings between 2017 and 2022 included wildebeest, elephant and kudu.

Nyae Nyae and N#a-Jaqna Conservancies - Full moon water counts 2022.

Game counts in southern Namibia: June 2022.

Counts were undertaken at waterholes in the escarpment zone of north west Namibia. In 2018,18 waterholes in 7 conservancies were counted while in 2019, 2020 and 2021, the number of waterholes was increased to around 26 covering 10 conservancies. Counts were undertaken over a period of 2, 3 or 4 days during which time all animals seen were counted. Game species differ in the frequency with which they need to visit water resources with some able to acquire much of their hydration needs through foraging.

Estimates were calculated for the current year using DISTANCE. In most cases at least the last 5 years of data were used in analysis to generate a detection profile for each species. Several conservancies have been grouped due to the low numbers of animals recorded. The bottom row of the table (hyphenated) numbers = 95% Confidence Intervals. In Sikunga, very few sightings have ever been recorded (60 for all species since 2011) and no sensible estimates for any species can be derived for this area.

Game counts in Bwabwata N.P. - August 2022.

Since 2021 a boat transect has been undertaken along the Kwando river from the Angola border to the southern boundary of Mudumu National Park. The total transect length is 152 km. For each species, animals on each side of the river (and in the case of hippo, in the river,) are counted.

Assessing the numbers and distribution of threatened species is a central challenge in conservation, often made difficult because the species of concern are rare and elusive. For some predators, this may be compounded by their being sparsely distributed over large areas. Such is the case with the cheetah Acinonyx jubatus. The IUCN Red List process solicits comments, is democratic, transparent, widely-used, and has recently assessed the species.

This research project deploys satellite tracking collars on ungulates in the GSNL  and monitors their movements as well as other environmental parameters. Its objective is to document movement corridors and identify impediments to migration routes for springbok, oryx and Hartmann’s mountain zebra. Stefanie Urban successfully completed her Bachelor of Natural Resources Management (Honours) project at NUST at the end of 2016. Her project report is available on request.

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.

Summary of game counts in Hardap Game Park, May 2017.

Summary of 2017 game counts: Kavango east.

Summary of game counts in north-west Namibia: Regional Summary.

Summary of game counts in north-central Namibia, July 2017.

Summary of game counts in north-west Namibia: Conservancies north of the veterinary fence, June 2017.

Summary of game counts in north-west Namibia: Palmwag and Etendeka concessions, June 2017.

Summary of game counts in north-west Namibia: Hobatere concessions area, June 2017.

Summary of game counts in southern Namibia, May 2017.

Summary of game counts in east Zambezi, Dry season - Live sightings, 2017.

Summary of game counts in Bwabwata NP, Dry season - Live sightings, 2017.

Summary of North Central Game Count data up to 2017.

The Iona National Park covers about 15,200 km2 or 1.52 million hectares of Angola's Namibe Province in the south-western part of the country. It is the largest national park in Angola. It is bounded by the Atlantic Ocean to the west, an escarpment to the east that marks the beginning of the interior plateau, the Curoca River to the north, and the Cunene River to the south. It is about 200 kilometres south of the town of Namibe. Iona was proclaimed as a reserve in 1937 and upgraded to a national park in 1964.

This survey attempt to quantify the incidence of human-crocodile conflicts (as form of humanwildlife conflicts) in the three perennial rivers namely: Kunene River, Okavango River and the four Zambezi River channels. These are the three river systems in Namibia that are most affected by human-wildlife conflicts. The survey further examine the perspective of local people who use these rivers on HWC, by unpacking the root causes of conflicts and identifying methods to mitigate HWC in the future.

Aerial surveys of the centra] and eastern areas of the Etosha National Park were undertaken during September 1968, April 1969 and February 1970, primarily to establish the efficacy of an aeroplane in counting the larger mammals in the Park and to obtain some idea of the numbers and distribution of the various populations. Previous census methods such as road strip counts and waterhole counts were found inaccurate, unreliable and often impractical in Etosha.

Permits for game hunting issued, and numbers of species included in this report.