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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 - 50 of 52
Thursday, 1 June 2017
Moongo JT 2017. Determining wildlife numbers in the Fish River Canyon Reserve based on high resolution aerial photography.

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…

Weise FJ, Vijay V, Jacobson AP, Schoonover RF, Groom RJ, Horgan J, Keeping D, Klein R, Marnewick K, Maude G, Melzheimer J, Mills G, van der Merwe V, van der Meer E, Van Vuuren RJ, Wachter B, Primm SL 2017. The distribution and numbers of cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) in southern Africa . PeerJ e4096

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.

Hauptfleisch M 2017. Greater Sossusvlei Namib Landscape (GSNL): Tracking ungulate movements .

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.

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Tracking ungulate movements.pdf 2.23 MB
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.

Namibian Association of CBNRM Support Organisations (NACSO) 2017. Game counts in Hardap Game Park, May 2017.

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

Namibian Association of CBNRM Support Organisations (NACSO) 2017. 2017 game counts: Kavango east.

Summary of 2017 game counts: Kavango east.

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2017 game counts_Kavango east.pdf 945.05 KB
Namibian Association of CBNRM Support Organisations (NACSO) 2017. Game counts in north-west Namibia: Regional Summary, June 2017.

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

Namibian Association of CBNRM Support Organisations (NACSO) 2017. Game counts in north-central Namibia, July 2017.

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

Namibian Association of CBNRM Support Organisations (NACSO) 2017. Game counts in north-west Namibia: Conservancies north of the veterinary fence, June 2017.

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

Namibian Association of CBNRM Support Organisations (NACSO) 2017. Game counts in north-west Namibia: Palmwag and Etendeka concessions, June 2017.

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

Namibian Association of CBNRM Support Organisations (NACSO) 2017. Game counts in north-west Namibia: Hobatere concessions area, June 2017.

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

Namibian Association of CBNRM Support Organisations (NACSO) 2017. Game counts in southern Namibia, May 2017.

Summary of game counts in southern Namibia, May 2017.

Namibian Association of CBNRM Support Organisations (NACSO) 2017. Game counts in east Zambezi, Dry season - Live sightings, 2017.

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

Namibian Association of CBNRM Support Organisations (NACSO) 2017. Game counts in Bwabwata NP, Dry season - Live sightings, 2017.

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

Namibian Association of CBNRM Support Organisations (NACSO) 2017. North Central Game Count data up to 2017.

Summary of North Central Game Count data up to 2017.

Namibian Association of CBNRM Support Organisations (NACSO) 2017.  South Game Count data up to 2017.
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South Game Count data up to 2017.xlsx 89.28 KB
Namibian Association of CBNRM Support Organisations (NACSO) 2017. North West Game Count data up to 2017.
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North West Game Count data up to 2017.xlsx 423.04 KB
Ministry of Environment, Angola 2017. An aerial photographic wildlife survey of the Iona National Park, Angola - November 2016 to February 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.

Muzuma U 2017. The survey of human-wildlife conflict particularly nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus) in the northwest and northeast Namibia.

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.

Beytell PC 2017. Aerial count of the roan antelope and other wildlife species in Khaudum National Park.
Kolberg H 2016. Summary of the 2015 Winter Wetland Bird Counts in Namibia . Lanioturdus 49 (3) 2-5
Kolberg H 2016. Wetland bird counts in Namibia: a summary . Lanioturdus 49 (5) 2-193
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
Lyet A, Slabbert R, Versfeld WF, Leslie AJ, Beytell PC, du Preez P 2016. Using a Binomial Mixture Model and Aerial Counts for an Accurate Estimate of Nile Crocodile Abundance and Population Size in the Kunene River, Namibia . Journal of Wildlife Research 46 (2) 71-86

The Nile crocodile,Crocodylus niloticus, is found throughout sub-Saharan Africa, including Namibia, Botswana and Angola. The species was transferred from CITES Appendix I to Appendix II in 2004, although it is recognized as peripherally endangered in Namibia due to diminishing habitat availability primarily from human encroachment. In 2013, a species management plan was approved in Namibia to assess the management of the Namibian Nile crocodile populations. During 2012, an aerial survey was conducted to provide an estimate of Nile crocodile population numbers.

Namibian Association of CBNRM Support Organisations (NACSO) 2016. Game counts in north-west Namibia: Regional summary, June 2016.

Summary of game counts in north-west Namibia: Regional Summary, June 2016.

Namibian Association of CBNRM Support Organisations (NACSO) 2016. Game counts in north-west Namibia, July 2016.

Summary of game counts in north-west Namibia, July 2016.

Namibian Association of CBNRM Support Organisations (NACSO) 2016. Game counts in north-west Namibia: Conservancies north of the veterinary fence, June 2016.

Summary of game counts in north-west Namibia: Conservancies north of the veterinary fence, June 2016.

Namibian Association of CBNRM Support Organisations (NACSO) 2016. Game counts in north-west Namibia: Conservancies south of the veterinary fence, June 2016.

Summary of game counts in north-west Namibia: Conservancies south of the veterinary fence, June 2016.

Namibian Association of CBNRM Support Organisations (NACSO) 2016. Game counts in north-west Namibia: Palmwag and Etendeka concessions, June 2016.

Summary of game counts in north-west Namibia: Palmwag and Etendeka concessions, June 2016.

Namibian Association of CBNRM Support Organisations (NACSO) 2016. Game counts in north-west Namibia: Hobatere concessions area, June 2016.

Summary of game counts in north-west Namibia: Hobatere concessions area, June 2016.

Namibian Association of CBNRM Support Organisations (NACSO) 2016. Game counts in southern Namibia, May 2016.

Summary of game counts in southern Namibia, May 2016.

Namibian Association of CBNRM Support Organisations (NACSO) 2016. Game counts in Hardap Game Park, May 2016.

Summary of game counts in Hardap Game Park, May 2016.

Namibian Association of CBNRM Support Organisations (NACSO) 2016. Game counts in Bwabwata NP, Dry season - Live sightings, 2016.

Summary of game counts in Bwabwata NP, Dry season - Live sightings, 2016.

Noack J 2016. The assessment of leopard (Panthera pardus) density and population size via a capture – recapture framework in an island bound conservation area in Namibia. .

After the initial and in-depth assessment of the leopard population in the Okonjima Nature Reserve via the use of remote camera traps that provided a detailed insight of their demography as well as temporal and spatial distribution patterns, a long-term monitoring program has been introduced. This aims to observe and monitor fluctuations in the composition of the population, as well as shifts and overlaps of home ranges and territories.

Craig GC, Gibson DSC 2016. Aerial survey of elephants and other animals in north western Namibia, September/October 2016.

An aerial survey of elephants and other animals was conducted in North West Namibia from 16th September to 8 th October 2016. A total area of 63431km2 was sampled at an average intensity of 8.19% using both transects (at an average of 6.7% sample intensity) and block counts (9.88% sample intensity). Total counts were conducted additionally by flying 921.5km along six rivers.

Gondwana Collection Namibia 2016. Gondwana Kalahari Park Game Count 2016.
Gondwana Collection Namibia 2016. Gondwana Canyon Park Game Count 2016.
Gondwana Collection Namibia 2016.   Gondwana Kalahari Park game count 2016.
Hauptfleisch M 2016. Greater Sossusvlei Namib Landscape : Tracking ungulate movements. (1)
Hauptfleisch M 2016. Greater Sossusvlei Namib Landscape: Tracking ungulate movements. (1)

Oryx 1770 and Zebra 1771 covered the most distance with 921.62 km and 877.36 km respectively (assuming a straight line between each ping). Mean daily distances have overall increased since the last period, possibly due to isolated rainfall during the period. Zebra 1773 has possibly been killed or the collar fell off, this is currently under investigation. Note: The mean daily distances in the last newsletter were not correct as they were distances between each ping. They should be multiplied by three to get the mean daily distance.

Hauptfleisch M 2016. Greater Sossusvlei-Namib Landscape: Tracking ungulate movements. (1)

Of the animals that had a comparable number of location pings, Oryx 1768 on Keerweder, Hartmann's zebra 1771 on Solitaire and Oryx 1770 on Aandster moved the furthest daily distances with 9.57 km, 7.87 km and 7.35 km respectively. Three animals were collared at the end of July/ beginning of August, including Springbok 132 (after the last one with the same collar id. died in March) and 133, Hartmann's zebra 1775 and 1776. Hartmann's zebra 1776, which is currently ranging on Neuras, moved a considerable mean daily distance of 9.22 km.

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GSNLNewsletter_1_3.pdf 1.43 MB
Chase MJ, Schlossberg S, Griffin CR, Bouché PJC, Djene SW, Elkan PW, Ferreira S, Grossman F, Kohi EM, Landen K, Omondi P, Peltier A, Selier SAJ, Sutcliffe R 2016. Continent-wide survey reveals massive decline in African savannah elephants. PeerJ

African elephants (Loxodonta africana) are imperiled by poaching and habitat loss. Despite global attention to the plight of elephants, their population sizes and trends are uncertain or unknown over much of Africa. To conserve this iconic species, conservationists need timely, accurate data on elephant populations. Here, we report the results of the Great Elephant Census (GEC), the first continent-wide, standardized survey of African savannah elephants. We also provide the first quantitative model of elephant population trends across Africa.

Brown CJ, Stander P, Mayes S, Conradie L, Haredoeb P, Singwangwa M, Cilliers W 2004. Status of Wattled Cranes on the floodplains of north-east Namibia: Results from an aerial survey during August 2004 .

Areas surveyed: The Okavango River in Namibia, from just northwest the bridge on the Trans-Caprivi highway south to the Botswana border; the entire length of the Kwandu-Linyanti-Lake Liambezi-Chobe system, including the Mamili National Park; and the Zambezi river for its entire length on Namibia's border, including parts of the adjacent East Caprivi floodplains.

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Wattled Crane Survey_2004.pdf 1.02 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
Brown CJ, Meyer-Rust R 2004. Winter counts of wetland and floodplain birds in the Kwando River and floodplain system, Caprivi .

Human and, increasingly, elephant pressure on Namibia's wetlands and riparian belts are a major cause of conservation concern. Many wetland birds are listed in Namibia's Red Data Book (Simmons & Brown in prep) because of population declines caused by the degradation and destruction of wetland habitats, and because of high levels of disturbance. Good information on the status of major wetlands and their avifauna is important for their conservation management. Birds provide one of the best indicators of wetland health.

Hanssen L, Stander P 2004. Namibia Large Carnivore Atlas, July 2004 .

Namibia is one of few African countries that support six species of large carnivore. Lions, leopards, cheetahs, spotted hyaenas, brown hyaenas and wild dogs occur primarily in the northern and western sections of Namibia. With the possible exception of lions and leopards we have a poor understanding of the exact distribution and density of these species, although available information suggests that the populations are stable. The Namibia Large Carnivore Atlas was launched to involve the tourism industry and the Namibian public in collecting baseline data on the six large…

Hanssen L, Stander P 2004. Namibia Large Carnivore Atlas, December 2003 .

Namibia is one of few African countries that support six species of large carnivore. Lions, leopards, cheetahs, spotted hyaenas, brown hyaenas and wild dogs occur primarily in the northern and western sections of Namibia. With the possible exception of lions and leopards we have a poor understanding of the exact distribution and density of these species, although available information suggests that the populations are stable. The Namibia Large Carnivore Atlas was launched to involve the tourism industry and the Namibian public in collecting baseline data on the six large…

Namibian Association of CBNRM Support Organisations (NACSO) 2004. Game counts in north-west Namibia, June 2004 .

Summary of game count in north west in 2004: route statistics, animals seen, population estimates, trends.

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NW game count poster 2004.pdf 483.95 KB
Hanssen L, Stander P 2004. Namibia Large Carnivore Atlas .

Namibia is one of few African countries that support six species of large carnivore. Lions, leopards, cheetahs, spotted hyaenas, brown hyaenas and wild dogs occur primarily in the northern and western sections of Namibia. With the possible exception of lions and leopards we have a poor understanding of the exact distribution and density of these species, although available information suggests that the populations are stable.

Gondwana Collection Namibia 2004. 2004 Game count in Gondwana Canon Park .

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