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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 - 37 of 37
Namibian Association of CBNRM Support Organisations (NACSO) 2022. Game counts in Hardap Game Park, Naute Recreation Resort and and Ai-Ais Hot Springs - June 2022.

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.

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Hardap Naute Ai_Ais Game Count 2022.pdf 1009.96 KB
Namibian Association of CBNRM Support Organisations (NACSO) 2022. Game counts: Kavango East - Aug 2022.

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.

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Kavango poster 2022 final.pdf 651.24 KB
Namibian Association of CBNRM Support Organisations (NACSO) 2022. Game counts in north-central Namibia - June 2022.

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.

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North Central Game Count 2022_final.pdf 767.98 KB
Namibian Association of CBNRM Support Organisations (NACSO) 2022. Game counts in north-west Namibia: Hobatere consession - May 2022.

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%.

Namibian Association of CBNRM Support Organisations (NACSO) 2022. Game counts in north-west Namibia: Conservancies north of the veterinary fence - May 2022.

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

Namibian Association of CBNRM Support Organisations (NACSO) 2022. Game counts in north-west Namibia: Palmwag and Etendeka Concessions - 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.

Namibian Association of CBNRM Support Organisations (NACSO) 2022. Game counts in north-west Namibia: Regional Summary - May 2022.

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.

Namibian Association of CBNRM Support Organisations (NACSO) 2022. Game counts in north-west Namibia: Conservancies south of the veterinary fence - May 2022.

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

Namibian Association of CBNRM Support Organisations (NACSO) 2022. Game counts: Nyae Nyae Conservancy - Line Transects July 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.

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Nyae Nyae transect count 2022 Final.pdf 670.9 KB
Namibian Association of CBNRM Support Organisations (NACSO) 2022. Nyae Nyae and N#a-Jaqna Conservancies - Full moon water counts 2022.

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

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Nyae Nyae waterhole 2022 Final.pdf 597.64 KB
Namibian Association of CBNRM Support Organisations (NACSO) 2022. Game counts in southern Namibia: June 2022.

Game counts in southern Namibia: June 2022.

Namibian Association of CBNRM Support Organisations (NACSO) 2022. Full moon waterhole counts in northern Kunene 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.

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Waterholes_NW_poster_2022_Final.pdf 468.62 KB
Namibian Association of CBNRM Support Organisations (NACSO) 2022. Game counts in east Zambezi - August 2022.

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.

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Zambezi Game Count_ East 2022.pdf 522.67 KB
Namibian Association of CBNRM Support Organisations (NACSO) 2022.   Game counts in Bwabwata N.P. - August 2022.

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

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Zambezi Game Count_Bwabwata 2022.pdf 632.72 KB
Namibian Association of CBNRM Support Organisations (NACSO) 2022. Game Counts Kwando River - 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.

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Zambezi Game Count_River 2022.pdf 377.41 KB
Kolberg H 2014. Summary of the 2013 Winter Wetland Bird Counts in Namibia . Lanioturdus 47 23-31
Namibian Association of CBNRM Support Organisations (NACSO) 2014. Game counts in southern Namibia, May 2014 .

Poster summarising the results of the 2014 south game count.

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South_game_count_poster_2014.pdf 641.04 KB
Namibian Association of CBNRM Support Organisations (NACSO) 2014. Game counts in north-west Namibia, June 2014 .

Poster summarising the results of the 2014 North West game count.

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NW_game_count_poster_2014.pdf 737.28 KB
Namibian Association of CBNRM Support Organisations (NACSO) 2014. Game counts in north-central Namibia .

Poster summarising game count results for the north Central conservancies in 2014.

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North_Central_Game_Count_Poster_2014.pdf 876.28 KB
Namibian Association of CBNRM Support Organisations (NACSO) 2014. Game counts: Khaudum North Complex .

Game counts in Khaudum North Complex showing numbers seen by conservation area, habitat, compared to previous years, population estimates and trends.

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Khaudum count poster 2014.pdf 601.98 KB
Namibian Association of CBNRM Support Organisations (NACSO) 2014. Game counts in Hardap Game Park, May 2014 .

Poster summarising the results of the 2014 Hardap game count.

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Hardap_game_count_poster_2014.pdf 715.51 KB
Namibian Association of CBNRM Support Organisations (NACSO) 2014. Game counts in east Zambezi: Dry Season 2014 .

Game counts in East Zambezi (Caprivi); dry season, live sightings. showing Numbers seen by conservation area, habitat, compared to 2013, population estimates and trends.

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Zambezi game counts_East Zambezi_2014.pdf 676.97 KB
Namibian Association of CBNRM Support Organisations (NACSO) 2014. Game counts in Bwabwata: Dry Season – Live sightings .

Game counts in Bwabwata; dry season, live sightings. showing Numbers seen by conservation area, habitat, compared to 2013, population estimates and trends.

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Zambezi game counts_Bwabwata_2014.pdf 764.6 KB
Namibian Association of CBNRM Support Organisations (NACSO) 2014. Game counts in Bwabwata and Zambezi: Dry Season 2014 .

Game counts in Bwabwata and Zambezi (Caprivi); dry season, live sightings. showing Numbers seen by conservation area, habitat, compared to 2013, population estimates and trends.

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Zambezi_game_count_poster_2014.pdf 770.48 KB
Kolberg H 2014. Summary of the 2014 Summer Wetland Bird counts in Namibia . Lanioturdus 47 (3) 28-30

Summary of the 2014 Summer Wetland Bird counts in Namibia.

Craig GC, Gibson DSC 2014. Aerial survey of elephants and other wildlife in Zambezi Region, September/October 2014.

An aerial survey of wildlife and domestic livestock took place in Zambezi Region from 25th September to 4th October 2014. A total area of 11713 km2 was sampled at an average intensity of 14%.

Gondwana Collection Namibia 2014.   Gondwana Namib Park game count 2014.
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Gondwana Namib Park game count 2014.pdf 2.29 MB
Hartung Q 2014. Report on the Burchell's Zebra (Equus burchelli) and Red Hartebeest (Sigmoceros lichtensteinii) total road count done on the 24th of June 2014 .

On 24 June 2014 we conducted a total count of the Burchell’s Zebra and Red Hartebeest in of the Reserve. To get the total count we drove on designated routes, throughout the northern part of the Reserve, where the B. Zebra and Hartebeest herds are normally seen, and counted all the B. Zebra and Hartebeest seen. The count was divided into three routes, all starting from Keerweder at the same time.

Hartung Q, Hartung V 2014. Results of the NamibRand Nature Reserve and Pro-Namib Conservancy annual game count 31 May 2014.

This report provides summarised results and analysis of the annual game count held on the NamibRand Nature Reserve and the Pro-Namib Conservancy on the 31st of May 2014. This is the tenth consecutive year that the count was held since 2005 and the third year that the farms Springbokvlakte and Saffier have been included. Teamwork was once again the essence of the day as concessionaires, landowners, neighbours and NRNR staff joined in to participate in the event.

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NRNR game count report 2014.pdf 2.14 MB
Mendelsohn J, Mendelsohn M 2014. Observations on the movements and home ranges of Hartmann's Mountain Zebras and Oryx in the Greater Sossusvlei-Namib Landscape, December 2014.

This document provides an update of information on the movements and locations of 9 Hartmann’s mountain zebra and 9 oryx in the Greater Sossusvlei-Namib Landscape (GSNL). The report covers one year: from the last days of November 2013 when the transmitters were fitted to the end of November 2014. A previous report reviewed data collected during the first 7 months up to the 26th of June 2014. The locations of the animals were recorded every 5 hours up until late July 2014 when the recording frequency was adjusted to one signal per day recorded at approximately 06h00.

Mendelsohn J 2014. Observations on the movements and home ranges of Hartmann’s Mountain Zebras and Oryx in the Greater Sossusvlei-Namib Landscape, July 2014.

This document provides a summary of information on the movements and locations of 9 Hartmann’s mountain zebra and 9 oryx in the Greater Sossusvlei-Namib Landscape (GSNL). Each animal was fitted with a GPS tracking device on the 22nd or 23rd of November 2013. The locations of the animals were then recorded every 5 hours. This provided over one thousand locations for each animal during the 7 months from November 2013 to the 26th of June 2014, the date chosen as a cut-off for this review.

Craig GC, Gibson DSC 2014. Aerial survey of elephants and other wildlife in Zambezi Region September/October 2014.

The 2014 aerial survey of wildlife in Zambezi Region (formerly Caprivi Region) was conducted between 25 September and 4 October 2014. While the main emphasis was on numbers and distributions of elephants and elephant carcasses, sightings of other species were recorded as well as sightings of illegal activities and human settlements. The survey was conducted according to standard practices using stratified systematic transect sampling (Norton Griffiths, 1978) in a light aircraft (a Cessna 182) flying at a nominal height of 300 feet above the ground.

1978. September 1978 lugsensus in die Nasionale Etoshawildtuin met behulp van 'n helikopter en a vaste vlerk vliegtuig.

September 1978 aerial census in the Etosha National Park with the aid of a helicopter and fixed wing aircraft.

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Etosha NP_Aerial census 1978 09.PDF 1003.24 KB
1978. Helicopter census 18 - 23 September 1978 (Map).
1978. March 1978 game census in Etosha National Park, using a helicopter.
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Etosha NP_Aerial census 1978 03.PDF 547.56 KB
Berry H 1978. Wildebeest counts: 1978.
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Etosha NP_Aerial census 1978 03 CT.PDF 242.44 KB
1978. South West African Administration White Paper on the activities of the different branches for 1978.

The 319 510 tourists who visited the administration's game reserves and resorts during the year made 1978 a record year. The highest previous figure was in 1975, namely 314 218 tourists. In comparison with 1977 the number of tourists from Southwest Africa decreased by 2 208, while the number of tourists from the Republic and overseas increased by 25 389 and 9 639 respectively. Day visitors decreased by 13 966, whereas overnight visitors increased by 46 776.

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SWA Administration_1978.pdf 645.31 KB

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