This presentation will explore the multiple factors that contribute to pressure on Namibia’s wildlife population, highlighting that not only human-wildlife conflict has an impact. Factors include:1. Climatic conditions,... [ view full abstract ]
This presentation will explore the multiple factors that contribute to pressure on Namibia’s wildlife population, highlighting that not only human-wildlife conflict has an impact. Factors include:
1. Climatic conditions, drought, global warming
2. Animal population growth,
3. Animal habituation to humans,
4. Competition between livestock and wildlife for resources (on commercial and communal land),
5. Inability of governments to mitigate conflict,
6. Corruption and mismanagement.
Human demography and land use are important factors in mammal distribution especially if the protected areas are small and fragmented (Karanth et al., 2009). Another consequence of habitat loss and a growing human population is that it brings people into close proximity to wildlife leading to a rise in human-wildlife conflict. Namibia is tackling this issue through its Community Based Natural
Resource Management (CBNRM) programme and commercial conservancies. This has lead to 58% of Namibia’s terrestrial land to be designated as protected for wildlife and communities and in turn the sustainable utilization of their resources.
Hence this presentation will be based upon statistical data regarding the incidents of human-wildlife conflict per region in Namibia on both communal and commercial land, as well as the impact that this has on the populations within these regions. Data regarding income generation, employment creation
and improving the perceptions of local communities towards living with wildlife will also be discussed. In addition, issues, the ways forward and management strategies in relation to the CBNRM will be brought forward.
Presenters will discuss how conservation hunting can, along with other contributors, play a role in the mitigation of human-wildlife conflict on both communal and commercial land by means of adding value to wildlife. Conservation hunting can provide incentives to local communities to maintain and develop the habitats essential to the survival of key species. Ways to improve the application and execution of conservation hunting will also be included. Finally, the public perception and opinion of hunting will be touched upon to discuss how to positively show that conservation hunting is a form of sustainable and beneficial utilization which enables Namibia to help preserve natural habitat and in turn
its diverse wildlife.
