Lions, Cheetahs & Leopards
 
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What?
Researchers will conduct a survey of five of Africa’s large carnivore species (lion, leopard, spotted hyaena, cheetah and wild dog) their dominant prey species (cape buffalo, giraffe, red lechwe, puku, sitatunga, roan antelope, kudu, Burchell’s zebra, blue wildebeest, warthog, bushpig, impala, common duiker, steenbok, numerous small mammal, primate and bird species) and domesticated species such as cattle, goats, pigs, cats and dogs. They will capture, collar and monitor key study animals and respond to incidents of livestock depredation in neighboring communities. The expedition will also survey human populations in the area, conduct investigations into the ecology of human-predator conflict (HPC) and contribute to the development of rural livelihood strategies that will promote coexistence between people and predators and be implemented on a national scale. The area is of very significant conservation importance but also experiences the highest number of HPC incidents in Namibia and some of the highest in Africa. Data collected by this expedition will be crucial in our mission to combat the top threat to carnivore conservation in Africa today, human-predator conflict.
When? This year’s study will be Aug. 16th thru Nov. 20th, 2009. Why? Conflicts between lions, leopards, cheetahs, spotted hyaenas, wild dogs and people In Mamili National Park and the surrounding community areas endangers the survival of the non-human species and also threatens the lives and livelihoods of some of the most marginalised people in the developing World. This conflict is arguably the most important factor causing the decline in African carnivore populations. In order to break this cycle there is an urgent need to protect rural livelihoods, reduce their vulnerability, counterbalance losses with benefits and foster community based conservation in areas of human-predator coexistence. By the same token, there is also an urgent need to protect lions, leopards, cheetahs, spotted hyaenas and wild dogs from human persecution. This can only be done by finding strategies of how humans and wildlife can thrive and exist together and in close proximity. Although human-predator conflict is relatively well documented around the world, little progress has been made in recent years to address this escalating conservation concern. Furthermore, one of the fundamental shortfalls of population estimates for African carnivore species is the lack of accurate data for lions, leopards, cheetahs, spotted hyaenas and wild dogs on marginal lands. Expedition researchers will provide vital data on these issues, which can then be used in the formulation of national Conservation Action Plans (CAPs) for these species in Africa.
Where? The Caprivi delta is a wetland paradise located within the African nations of Namibia and Botswana. The research area covers an expanse of approximately 100,000 hectares (247,000+ acres) comprising a national park and a number of community owned conservation areas known as conservancies. The Kwando river flows through the delta’s western end and the Linyanti river flows from the east. These two rivers converge only to fan out and form the Caprivi delta. |
