AfriCat North
WWW.AFRICAT.ORG
AFRICAT North – P.O. BOX 118 – KAMANJAB – NAMIBIA – AFRICA
Tammy and Uwe Hoth
Tel.: ++264-67-687122 Fax.: ++264-67-687108 Mobile: + 264 81 354 8538
Email: africatnorth@iway.na
Supporting Carnivore Conservation, Communities and Human-Wildlife Conflict Mitigation through Education
Afri-Leo Foundation 1997 – 2010
A brief summary
The AFRI-LEO FOUNDATION was registered as a Namibian-based, non-profit organisation in 1997 (WO Reg. # 175).
Dedicated to the protection and conservation of the Namibian lion (Panthera leo), Afri-Leo has its headquarters on farm Kaross, which adjoins the Etosha Natonal Park along its south-western border. The AFRI-LEO FOUNDATION is ideally situated to play a vital role in supporting Environmental Education, Farmer-Predator Conflict Mitigation (Human-Wildlife Conflict Mitigation) and Research & Monitoring Programmes, in the Kunene Region of Namibia.
VISION
‘The protection and conservation of wild lion populations in Namibia, in co-operation with the Ministry of Environment & Tourism and the farming communities involved, to ensure the long term survival of the species.’
Our Mission
The protection and conservation of wild or free-ranging lion populations in Namibia and throughout the rest of Africa, ultimately ensuring the survival of the species, Panthera leo.
Afri-Leo strives to mitigate human-wildlife conflict thereby reducing poverty, to keep lions in their natural habitat, to prevent the exploitation and inhumane treatment of lions and to ensure that captive populations are well cared for.
The Present
Since its inception, Afri-Leo has worked closely with the AfriCat Foundation, founded in 1991 on the family farm, Okonjima. Due to the ever-increasing demands of carnivore conservation, a mutual decision was reached to merge these groups under the AfriCat banner. Afri-Leo’s programmes and projects will continue and expand under the name AfriCat North.
WHY PROTECT THE NAMIBIAN LION ?
- in April 1996, the lion in Namibia was declared a protected species
- the most recent estimates indicate a total population of approx. 690 - 1000 adult and sub-adult lions (Namibian Carnivore Atlas - May 2001/2002)
- the lion population in the Etosha National Park is estimated at approximately 300 - 350 adults and sub-adults (Namibia Predator Research Programme - May 2001)
- free-living (wild) lions, together with rhino and elephant, are major tourist attractions, therefore of great economic importance, indirectly attracting a great number of foreigners to Namibia
- the Kunene Region (formerly Damaraland + Kaokoveld), Etosha National Park, Bushmanland and west + east Caprivi are the only areas where free-living lion populations are still to be found
- the lion is fast losing its ideal habitat due to human encroachment and increased farming activities
- the importance of lions in a natural ecosystem should be recognised and conservation efforts prioritised
- it is believed that the lion populations of the Etosha National Park and Kunene Region are FIV-free (Feline Immuno-deficiency Virus / Feline Aids). The Etosha lion population is assumed to be one of only a few FIV-free (Feline Immuno-deficiency Virus) populations in Africa. Little is known of the effects of this disease on lions, but it could have a detrimental effect on the entire African lion population
This FIV-free status makes the Etosha lion population an extremely important founder population source. No traces of the Canine Distemper Virus (CDV) or Bovine Tuberculosis (BTB) have been detected in either the Kunene or Etosha populations, adding to their value for lion conservation, globally.
A brief Summary
History
1997 saw the registration of Afri-Leo as a Welfare Organisation, with the co-founders Tammy & Uwe Hoth (at that point still livestock farmers) intent on finding workable solutions for the ever-present farmer-lion conflict on farms adjacent to the Etosha National Park (hereafter ENP). Their work later extended to the communal farming areas along the western, north-western and northern boundaries, where the Park boundary fence is as porous and in need of regular maintenance.
The greater section of the approx. 960 km Etosha fence is game-proof, at 2.3m in height (a section of the northern boundary is still cattle fence height at 1.5m); maintenance of the said fence is irregular, allowing for movement of antelope as well as burrowing animals (porcupines, warthog, steenbok, etc.), as well as lion & spotted hyaena. As livestock are easy prey to predators, high losses have been commonplace since the early 50’s, when the first commercial farms alongside Etosha were proclaimed.
A section of the Kaross block (then 25 000 ha of pristine wilderness along sw. Etosha) was surveyed as farmland, and the 10 000 ha Kaross farm was bought by Uwe’s father in 1953. Here, the family developed a successful Karakul sheep and commercial cattle business. With the drilling of boreholes, available water and large numbers of livestock, this farm as were many others, was targeted by lion, leopard, spotted hyaena and wild dog. In order to survive the onslaught, and with no assistance from Park authorities, the farmers were forced to destroy large numbers of predators - gin traps, poison and shooting was the order of the day.
The last wild dogs in this area were destroyed in the 60’s.
In 1989, Uwe & Tammy continued with livestock farming, suffering high losses to especially spotted hyaena, but aware of the increasing lion conflict along the southern ENP boundary; it was during this time that the Afri-Leo Foundation was established, with its mission to finding workable solutions to the lion-farmer conflict.
With lion population ‘guestimates’ ranging from 600 – 1000 adults and sub-adults, found only in the northernmost reaches of Namibia, i.e. to the west & north in the Kunene Region & Etosha National Park, Khaudum Park to the east and the Caprivi Region to the northeast, Afri-Leo set out developing a comprehensive programme in support of the long term conservation & protection of the Namibian lion.
Welfare
June 1997 – the Ekongoro Zoo in Rundu, closed its doors; Afri-Leo was requested by the Ministry of Environment & Tourism (hereafter MET), to house the 5 captive lions.
Two adult males (13 & 5 yrs of age) and 3 six month-old cubs (2 males + one female) were translocated to the Afri-Leo Sanctuary, with the help of AfriCat’s vehicle and trailer. They were housed in 3 x 1 ha enclosures until their relocation in 2000, into the “Swiss Lion Project” camps (1 x 30 ha and 1 x 80 ha camp).
2007 – the mature male died of natural causes at the age of 23; one young adult male died of Anthrax and the other of kidney failure in the same year, both were 10.5 yrs of age.
December 2007 – 4 six month old cubs (2 males + 2 females) were cage-trapped after their mother was poisoned/shot on a farm along the southern boundary of ENP;
August 2008 – an 8-week old male cub was found near death, on a farm along the southern boundary of ENP.
November 08 - January 2009: over a period of three months, the 6 month old cub was introduced to the group of 4 and in February 2009 this new ‘pride’ was relocated into the 50 ha camp of the “Swiss Lion Project”.
The lions of the Afri-Leo Sanctuary form an integral part of the Environmental Education Programme, where students and tourists visiting the Environmental Education Centre are introduced to lion conservation & Human-Wildlife Conflict Mitigation. Students & Tourists are also present during the annual Veterinary examinations, providing information and hands-on experience for all.
Environmental Education & Awareness
‘Youth of all ages are encouraged to become involved in this programme, where active participation enables them to learn more about lions in general, their role within the natural ecosystem and the problems facing lions due to loss of ideal habitat, disease and drought.. Issues such as Human-Wildlife Conflict and improved livestock protection methods encourage problem-solving within the farming communities’.
1998 – 2000 start of the Environmental Education outreach programme; the first ‘Lion Awareness Week’ held in Swakopmund and the Afri-Leo Club was established at Namib High School, Swakopmund. Groups of students visit the Afri-Leo Project and ‘Adopt-a-Lion’ as well as fund-raising & awareness for the EE Programme.
2000 – donation by SIDA (Swedish Local Environment Fund, in collaboration with NNF), which built the classroom at the EE Centre;
A generous donation from a private donor, furnished the classroom.
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| Environmental Education Centre | EEC Classroom | Grade 5 Class at EEC |
A fully furnished teacher’s cottage as well as a camp-site for visiting students, (including ablution block, rustic kitchen & mess area), were completed in 2004.
Events such as the ‘Walk for Lions 2003’, a 160 km Trek across Damaraland, where 10 participants braved the elements and rugged terrain to raise funds for Afri-Leo.
The ‘Walk for Lions 2008’, which included a 3-day Trek on communal farmland meeting farmers and Traditional Leaders as well as physical work assisting the MET and farmers repair a section of the Etosha fence, gave the 24 Swiss and Namibian Students detailed insight into the complexities of Human-Wildlife Conflict and Afri-Leo’s mitigation programmes; the event continued within the Etosha National Park, where students camped ‘wild’ and gained first-hand experience of lion immobilisation and FIV-testing (Feline Immuno-deficiency Virus).
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| ‘Walk for lions 2008’ | Swiss & Namibian students building gabions |
FIV-testing in Etosha |
Research & Monitoring Programmes
2000 – 2003: Afri-Leo assisted with the Etosha Lion Project, conducted by the MET within Etosha. The first monitoring project (commenced 2001) was aimed at monitoring cross-border lion movement and lion mortalities, assessing the potential disease threat to lions from outside of the Park and helping reduce and mitigate the farmer-lion conflict. In collaboration with the MET, a Farmer - Predator Survey, including approximately 40 commercial (free-hold) farms along the southern boundary of the Etosha National Park, was completed.
The Etosha Boundary Lion Project is set to start by mid-2010, to conduct a study of Panthera leo trans-boundary movements along the boundaries of the Etosha National Park.
Human-Wildlife Conflict Mitigation and Community Support
‘To mitigate Human-Wildlife Conflict on communal and free-hold farmland, thereby reducing poverty and uplifting these affected communities as well as to ensure the long term survival of the wild lion (Panthera leo)’.
Afri-Leo is familiar with the predator problems on communal and free-hold farmland along the western, northern and southern boundaries of the Etosha National Park (ENP).
Attempts to mitigate this farmer-predator (esp. lions and spotted hyaena) conflict have only had marginal success, mainly due to the fact that
- The boundary fence between the ENP and adjacent farmland is damaged to such an extent that a renewed, collaborative effort between the NGO Afri-Leo, the Ministry of Environment and Tourism and the farmers must be sought
- Large numbers of lions leave the confines of the ENP through this broken fence in search of easy prey, causing livestock losses and subsequent financial loss, on adjacent farmland
- The farmer does not have the time, the inclination nor the means with which to deal with lion problems, but in order to protect his livelihood, will look for what he feels is the easiest and fastest solution to his problem, i.e. the use of poison, gin-traps and shooting
- Large numbers of lions of all age-groups are poisoned, trapped and shot on farmland adjacent to the ENP annually, resulting in the unnecessary destruction of valuable wildlife, as well as loss of revenue
- There is no support system in place to assist farmers with such problem animals, nor is there a system in place to protect the lion outside of the Etosha National Park or any other protected area
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| Porous boundary fences | LIVESTOCK losses | DESTRUCTION of lions |
To date, Afri-Leo has conducted the following mitigation programmes:
2002 – 2008: Etosha Boundary Fence Project - Conflict situations arise when lions leave the confines of protected areas and kill livestock on commercial and communal farmland. The border fence between farmland and the Etosha National Park is not predator-proof and the Government’s policy is not to pay compensation for the high stock losses.
Based on the results of the monitoring programme conducted 2001-2002, Afri-Leo committed to supporting the up-grading of certain sections of the southern boundary, so-called ‘Hot Spots’, where cross-border lion movement increases seasonally
Permission was granted to up-grade the Etosha boundary fence and a 10-km section was electrified and entry/exit holes repaired.
The affected farmers were encouraged to monitor, maintain and repair their side of the fence on a regular basis, and the Etosha fencing teams agreed to the same.
The success of this Project was evident in the restricted lion movement and subsequent reduced livestock losses for two seasons. Thereafter, the farmers inexplicably refrained from regular maintenance; together with increased cross-border elephant movement and grass/bush growth, this section has once again fallen into disrepair.
Increased lion movement has resulted in increased livestock loss, with the annual destruction of approx. 12-15 lions on these specific properties!
Afri-Leo continues to maintain the solar systems on this fence. However, due to various reasons, including high expenses and the fact that the Etosha boundary fence remains the responsibility of the Ministry of Environment & Tourism, it was decided to discontinue the boundary fence programme.
2004 – 2007: Communal Farms Fence Programme – after a request for help with lion conflict by Headman Haraseb of the Khoa di //Hoas Conservancy, Kunene Region, Afri-Leo pledged support to assist with fence repair along the 18 km border between the Hobatere Conservation area and communal farms. Mesh & steel wire, fence posts and food for the men at work, were donated; the communal farmers carried out the fence repair, and regular maintenance & fence patrols were implemented, minimizing the cross-border movement of lions. Livestock losses were reduced from 36-40 per annum to 6–10 per annum and co-operation between the ENP wardens and these border farmers, also improved.
During 2007, a water source within Hobatere dried up, causing elephant herds to move through the repaired border fence onto farmland, destroying large sections of the said fence.
2008 saw the start of the Livestock Protection Programme, whereby farmers are encouraged to adopt modern farm management techniques and importantly, improve on livestock protection methods (building stronger kraals (pens) and re-instating herdsmen).
This Programme is the essence of Afri-Leo’s support of communal farming communities: Improved Livestock Management, the resultant minimised losses and subsequent increased profits, will allow for greater tolerance of predators.
Poverty Reduction, as a direct result of improved livestock management and farming techniques, effective, well-planned herd management will produce higher quality livestock allowing for improved mass and higher prices fetched at auctions.
Employment opportunities increase with the implementation of herdsmen as well as escalating tourism ventures.
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| Improved Livestock Management: Re-instating herdsmen |
Stronger kraals |
Programmes 2009 – 2012
As of April 2010, Afri-Leo’s Programmes will continue & expand under the
AfriCat North banner
- Improved Livestock Protection: Kraals up-graded on Marienhoehe farm, along western boundary of ENP (Khoa di //Hoas Conservancy, Kunene Reg.) and Nekorro Kraal, along northern boundary ENP (Sheeya Shuushona Conservancy); Goats purchased for family Urib on Marienhoehe farm, after lions jumped into kraal at night, killing entire herd of 47 goats, Aug. 2008. (Note: when the incident took place, this kraal had not yet been up-graded)
- Improved Livestock Management: advice and support from Afri-Leo team as well as independent Consultant, for approx. 20 families on Marienhoehe and Kamdescha farms
- 5 Kraals have been earmarked for up-grading in the Khoa di //Hoas and Sheya Shuushona Conservancies
- Lion Management Unit, the first of its kind to be developed to mitigate Farmer-Lion Conflict on both communal and free-hold farms, thereby protecting Namibia’s lions and uplifting communities surrounding Etosha NP (Note: more such Units are planned once funding is sourced)
- Etosha Boundary Lion Research & Monitoring Project – to conduct a study of Panthera leo trans-boundary movements along the boundaries of the Etosha National Park
- Environmental Educator and School Bus for AfriCat Northwest Environmental Education Programme
- Elephant Protection Wall on Marienhoehe farm - protecting a water installation from elephant destruction
- Pre-school Programme on Marienhoehe farm – supporting Adolfine Okamaru’s pre-school initiative with food & mattresses for 20 children, tables, chairs and books
- Improved Livestock Management & Protection Programme in the Ehirovipuka Conservancy, along the western Etosha border
Conclusion
Medium to long-term solutions to the ever-present Human-Wildlife Conflict is imperative to the success of Namibia’s wildlife conservation programmes as well as to poverty reduction amongst a large number of communal farmers.
- Livestock farmers wish to farm efficiently with maximum yield, without regular losses due to predation.
- Conservancies are concerned that the wildlife needed to attract tourists to the community lodges, may be destroyed as a result of conflict with farmers.
- AfriCat’s initiatives will effectively educate communal farmers as to how best to improve their livestock protection methods, thereby minimising predation. With the conflict situations reduced, fewer farmers will insist on the lions being destroyed, thus the Namibian lion population will be better protected.
- The Lion Management Unit(s) will be well-positioned to provide regular and reliable feedback to the AfriCat Northwest Research and Monitoring teams, as well as to the Ministry of Environment & Tourism. This data will not only support research and much-needed information on the lions of Namibia, but also support the development of the Lion Management Policy.
- With the Lion Conservation Strategy draft proposal awaiting approval, the development of the Lion Management Policy will soon follow.
- The long term survival of the Namibian lion depends on sound management of our valuable lion population, but workable solutions to the Human-Wildlife Conflict, specifically the farmer-lion conflict, should first be in place.
CONTACT DETAILS:
AfriCat North
TAMMY AND UWE HOTH
P.O. Box 118
KAMANJAB, NAMIBIA
Tel: ++264 - 67 – 687122 Mobile: 081 – 354 - 3538
Fax: ++264 - 67- 687108 Mobile: 081 354 8538
e-mail: africatnorth@iway.na
web-site: www.africat.org
