Communal Carnivore Conservation Project
In July 2010, The Okorusu Fluorspar Mine Community Trust dedicated much-needed funds for the development of the AfriCat Lion Management Unit, now termed the AfriCat Communal Carnivore Conflict Project (CCCP) . This Unit will be the first of its kind, supporting both carnivore conservation and affected farming communities in Namibia.
AfriCat is committed to finding long-term solutions to human-wildlife conflict on both commercial (free-hold) and communal farmland.
Conflict situations will be prevalent as long as Namibians farm livestock. Predator populations are widespread throughout Namibia, so that farmland and ideal predator habitat will overlap.
AfriCat North is familiar with the predator problems on communal and free-hold farmland along the western, northern and southern boundaries of the Etosha National Park.
After a lengthy search for support, AfriCat recently found the Okorusu Community Trust, which receives funding from the Okorusu Mine for needy projects in the fields of Health, Education & Environment. Okorusu’s commitment to the Environmental pillar of its Trust is in line with its slogan “giving back to the earth”. These concerned conservationists have committed to supporting the development of this much-needed carnivore response unit.
AfriCat will soon be in a position to effectively support and assist communal and commercial farmers with lion-related problems as well as ensure the protection of the wild lion along Etosha’s borders and elsewhere. In time, these units will also be able to mitigate leopard, cheetah, hyaena and wild dog conflict.
The first of its kind in Namibia, the functions of the Communal Carnivore Conflict Unit will be three-fold, i.e.
Lion Removal and Protection: These unit(s) must be in a position to assist both farmers and the lions. The CCCP staff will be well trained and, in collaboration with the Etosha wardens, will be in a position to deal with the lion problems at hand.
Repair of Boundary Fences: Once the conflict has been diffused the condition of the boundary fence will be assessed and repaired by the unit, as it is deemed necessary.
Advice and Assistance towards Improved Livestock Management and Protection: The CCCP staff will be in a position to offer sound advice and assistance on modern farming methods, livestock management and improved livestock protection. In this way, farmers would develop a greater tolerance of carnivores, allowing for these conflict species to rather remain in place and not have to be removed.
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.
