In Namibia’s Kunene region, desert-adapted lions face a dire threat. As natural prey dwindles due to drought and overhunting, these predators are driven to attack livestock, leading to fatal conflicts with humans. Izak Smit highlights the urgent need for alternative conservation strategies and explores solutions to preserve the unique genetic heritage of these iconic species (predator and prey), to secure a sustainable future for Namibia’s wildlife and tourism industry.
By now, many are aware of the plight of predators, including lions, leopards, cheetahs, and hyenas, in human-predator conflict in the Kunene region of Namibia.
The scarcity of natural prey in this area, resulting from drought and hunting, forces these predators to seek alternatives. This desperate search often leads to them being shot in the vicinity of kraals and livestock.
Data gathered by NACSO (Namibian Association of CBNRM Support Organisations) on wildlife populations in the Kunene region indicate the near absence of typical natural prey for lions – especially larger species such as kudu and gemsbok (which are experiencing severe declines in the region). Trends over the last decade underscore the bleak forecast for their survival, with a drastic decline in various animal populations since 2014, including kudu, gemsbok, zebra, springbok, and ostrich. For example, kudu present in Northwest Namibia dropped from 221 in 2014 to 41 in 2022; gemsbok from 1,791 to 309 and springbok from 7,531 to 2,449.
Adding this threat to the formidable challenges these species face to survive (such as fierce and prolonged droughts, poaching, lack of water availability, and human encroachment), it is clear that culling and hunting these species without proper management is not sustainable and constitutes their systemic eradication. Such eradication does not bode well for tourism in the area and is bound to irreversibly erode the attraction value on which the tourism industry depends for survival.
When the last lion passes through the shooting gallery, what will remain? Hunters, when confronting animal-rights activists on social media, are quick to point out that no workable alternatives to trophy hunting are on offer. But when all has been depleted, those self-proclaimed “conservation hunters” will search for other hunting grounds while the conservancies end up devoid of natural tourist attractions. In Namibia, no mechanisms, checks or balances are in place to assess the impacts and long-term effects of destroying “problem animals” by way of culling or trophy hunting. The killing of lion XPL-107 (also known as Mwezi) – allegedly declared a “problem animal” (without the correct notices issued) and then shot during a trophy hunt – is an excellent example of this. XPL-107 was a reproductively successful and important animal in the coastal desert-adapted lion population, and officials made no provision to protect him despite his status being well known.
There are also no workable plans to prevent human-wildlife conflict and the eventual eradication of wildlife. Short-term gratification is sought only in the form of, in my view, the illegal conversion of problem animals into profitable trophies while ignoring the looming, disastrous long-term effects.
Since the lion population in the Kunene region has drastically diminished over the last few years (by 45–60%, according to the 2022 survey), it is only logical that conflict incidences will reduce accordingly.
Only a few years ago, the Huab pride of desert-adapted lions, while on the brink of starvation, were removed from Torra Conservancy and translocated to a wildlife sanctuary. Before this, they had been raiding communal farmsteads, targeting chicken pens and dogs due to the lack of alternative prey. Today, these lions are alive and well, some having been rehabilitated to Timbila Game Reserve and some to Zannier Game Reserve, both in Namibia.
This has now led to discussions on alternatives for killing so-called “problem animals” in conservancies. It can also be said that the natural boom and bust cycles of animal populations in the Northwest/Kunene region also contribute to fluctuations in human-lion conflict. However, humans’ unrealistic “harvesting” of the lion’s natural prey also significantly contributed to this problem. During “boom cycles”, wildlife numbers increase. During “bust cycles” in drought periods, the surplus of weaker genes is weeded out. Animals with stronger genes survive, and are able to pro-create after the drought during the next boom cycle. This is natural selection, through which predators benefit during dry spells. But as the best genes are removed through trophy hunting, this natural cycle becomes compromised, impacting the survival of populations.
We see increasingly more private game lodges and reserves developed with state-of-the-art infrastructure, fencing and wildlife-management mechanisms. One such entity suggested that where bonafide problem animals become unmanageable in conservancies, they could be translocated to these facilities and managed or rehabilitated. While in their care, these infrastructure-rich lodges could donate a percentage of revenue derived from tourism to the conservancy’s coffers for the duration of the stay until the animal either dies of natural causes or is returned to an alternative natural habitat. This would help solve the conservancy community’s human-wildlife conflict issues and ensure revenue even after removing the animal. It will also enable options like re-introduction, if possible, and complement conservancy conservation efforts.
Only reserves on vast land areas where the species can find a natural equilibrium between prey and predator should be considered for these translocations. Genetic diversity should also be diligently managed and maintained, and management principles acceptable for closed systems should also be maintained. Human interaction other than game drives should be prohibited, allowing predators to function as nature intended.
Until now, conservancies usually received about N$60,000 (about US$3,300) as a once-off payment for the trophy hunting of a desert-adapted male lion. This, while the actual price paid by the hunter client, could go as high as N$1,25–1,5 million (US$68,950–US$82,740). When offsetting this payment against the loss in photo-tourism value over a decade and more, trophy hunting’s benefit to the conservancy becomes a pittance in real terms.
In simple mathematical terms, considering that game drives are conducted by several vehicles several times a day at game lodges, the potential for a good daily income for problem animals hosted on private game reserves is large. Over five years and more, this amount becomes substantial and trumps the once-off revenue earned through trophy hunting. For example, a lodge occupancy averages at 60% for eight months of the year. Two game-viewing vehicles that can seat seven would each carry four passengers (on average) daily. At only N$75 per game drive – with the highlight being to see these animals – this could translate to N$144,000 (US$8,000 per year). With good management and prey availability, such animals easily live to around 14 years of age. If translocated in their prime, it could mean an average lifespan of anything from 5–8 years in such a sanctuary. In the worst-case scenario, that would mean N$720,000–N$1.52 million (US$39,715–US$83,844) in income for the conservancies from such an attraction over 5–8 years.
Through careful management, such a facility could prioritise accommodating problem animals instead of breeding them to meet the optimum carrying capacity. As with rhinos, custodianship agreements could be entered into and maintained.
The upside of this scenario is the conservation value and preservation of valuable genetic material. Considering the disappearance of iconic animals such as desert-adapted lions, this value is far greater than a wall-mounted trophy in a far-off land, which affords the “owner” bragging rights and the hunting organisation huge profits.
Some entities have already raised their hands to take on these problem animals – perhaps this is an action plan we need to roll out ASAP.
In the case of desert-adapted lions, the ideal would be to re-introduce lions to their original habitats once conditions are ideal – for example after prey species are reintroduced during favourable climatic conditions, leading to prey population booms.
Still, reintroduction should only be done in specific habitats if they have been proclaimed and gazetted as legally protected areas. By re-stocking these areas, they can become viable and can be optimised for tourism, generating revenue. Where habitat can be extended, as in the Iona National Park in Angola (managed by African Parks), repopulation from animals that have been rehomed to reserves would also be possible, provided that the custodians follow strict protocols regarding the exposure of such lions. Desert-adapted lions historically roamed Northwest Namibia and arid southern Angola, which are the same habitat type. Populations roamed across the border and can be restored as part of the Transfrontier Park initiative, restoring their historic habitat.
The conservation of desert-adapted lions and other predators in the Kunene region of Namibia is at a critical juncture. The unsustainable practices of trophy hunting and culling problem animals have led to a drastic reduction in these species’ populations, jeopardising the natural balance and the tourism industry that relies on these majestic creatures. It is imperative that we explore and implement alternative solutions, such as the translocation of problem animals to well-managed private game reserves. These facilities can offer a sustainable and ethical way to counter human-wildlife conflict while generating continuous revenue. By prioritising long-term conservation over short-term gains, we can preserve the unique genetic heritage of these species and ensure that future generations can witness the beauty of Namibia’s wildlife. The time for action is now, before it is too late to save these iconic animals.
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