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Okonjima farm is a mere 5 400 hectares (ha). During the development of the Okonjima Park, 4 additional farms, i.e. Ombujongwe – 7 500 ha, Joumbira – 4 000 ha & Marathon – 4 500 ha, were included to create the 22 000 ha (55 000 acres – 220 km2) The Okonjima farm boundary traces a central plateau, at an altitude of 1 700 metres, surrounded by the Omboroko Mountains (remnants of Etjo Sandstone are evident).
1.2 Historical Background In the 1890’s, during colonial South West Africa, Okonjima was used by German military as a resting place for their horses; due to its high altitude, Okonjima is apparently free of the African Horse Sickness virus (transmitted by gnats & biting flies). In the early 1920’s, Okonjima became a cattle farm and was
bought by Val (VJ) & Rose Hanssen in 1970. They were well established
Brahman breeders and continued to farm cattle until 1993, when
the herds of Brahman and Jersey cattle were sold. This was the start of the Okonjima of today: a successful tourism venture supporting Carnivore Conservation.
1.3 Cattle Farming and Predator Problems on Okonjima Due to severe drought in the ‘Khomas Hochland’ (south
west of Windhoek), the Hanssen family were forced to sell their
farm.
Initially, the Brahmans adapted well; however, soon after the first successful calving season, calves between birth and the age of 6 months began disappearing! Investigation into these disappearances revealed tell-tale leopard tracks and drag marks; these drag marks led to the carcasses of the missing animals. . . The Hanssen family was experiencing the same problems as previous
owners, whom had eventually given up farming due to the high stock
losses inflicted by leopard. Annual losses of 20 to 30 calves to
the dominant predator in this area, were unsustainable and would
soon bankrupt the family. These traps proved to be extremely effective: leopards were caught and promptly shot, to relieve the problem. The leopards on Okonjima were large animals and offering them to trophy hunters could solve the predator problems as well as bring in revenue to boost the income of this small, cattle farm. Cattle farming at Okonjima took yet another blow: the calving percentage of 48% was unusually low for these versatile cattle. Nutrition studies done by Dr. Rina Grant during 1981 - 1983, revealed that the grazing was lacking in Phosphate and the cattle would have to be supplemented with this mineral. Once the problem had been identified and supplementation introduced, the calving percentage increased to 98% during the next calving season. 1.4 Livestock loss and Predator Removal Active leopard trapping, shooting and hunting continued on Okonjima for a period of twenty years, with Wayne, their son, taking over leopard hunting from his father, Val, during the 1980’s: the Omboroko Mountains of Okonjima, are a haven for both leopard and kudu and these two animals were marketed as Okonjima’s sought-after trophy species. Between 1970 and 1990, an average of 3 leopards were killed annually on Okonjima, in an attempt at reducing livestock losses. Information from previous owners, revealed similarities: despite their destroying the leopards, livestock losses during this time were not reduced and continued at a rate of 20 to 30 calves per annum. Val and Rose came to realise that the more leopards they killed, the higher their stock losses became…
1.5 Introduction of Improved Farming Techniques: Desperate measures were needed as leopards, bad grazing and inflation were rapidly reducing the financial viability of livestock farming on Okonjima. Calf holding-pens were built at the watering corrals and during the calving seasons, heavily pregnant cows were placed inside the enclosures to give birth, thus protecting the new-born calves from leopards. The cows were allowed to graze close-by during the day-time; the calves, however, stayed within these enclosures and would drink when their mothers returned. As the calves grew older and their diet changed, they were fed grass / hay, but they remained in "protective custody" until approx. four months of age. Thereafter, the calves were usually strong enough to keep up with their mothers whilst they grazed; the mothers became very protective of their offspring, thus offering protection from all predators. (Brahman cows are known to be very aggressive when they have calves). The result: Annual livestock losses were reduced from 20 to 30 animals annually to 3 or less. 1.6 Early Leopard Research Val & Wayne Hanssen realised the need to have a better understanding of leopards and their habits, as shooting and hunting were ineffective in conquering this extremely resilient carnivore. They examined dirt roads and game paths looking for pugmarks (spoor) and actively baited in many areas of the farm. 'Baits' of kudu, gemsbok and warthog meat, placed in these strategic areas, were taken by leopard shortly after being put out. When this became a regular occurrence, Wayne began observing the leopards at night. Initially, the leopards were extremely shy and cautious as, for
many years, they had been actively persecuted. In time, they became
less wary and they could be observed at night with a red, filtered
light. The baits also attracted honey badgers and many a competitive
fight was observed over this readily available food source. Time constraints did not allow Wayne to sit and observe leopards every night, so he began monitoring the time of their feeding sessions by attaching the bait to the battery in an alarm clock; when the leopard pulled the bait, the battery was pulled out of the alarm clock and the clock would stop. These observations led to further interest and a homemade, trip camera was placed at the table. An infra-red beam triggered a mouse trap that would trigger the shutter of an old camera, strategically placed on the feeding table: the leopards regularly photographed themselves feeding!
After some time, Wayne was able to identify individuals from their photographs and by their behaviour. He estimated that between 8 and 12 leopards were making use of Okonjima farm, as part of their home ranges.
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