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The needs of emerging commercial farmers in Namibia in relation to human-carnivore conflict
Author(s)
Schumann, Bonnie
Date Issued
2009
Type
Thesis
Publisher
Cape Peninsula University of Technology
Abstract
Carnivore species globally are on the decline and population extinctions continue despite
intensive conservation efforts. In Namibia, although 13.6 % of the country falls under the
protection of national parks or game reserves, most of these protected areas are situated
along the coastline and are desert habitat. The majority of Namibia's cheetah population
(over 90 %), which is also the world's largest free-ranging population, occurs on privately
owned farmland situated primarily in the north-central cattle-farming region of the country.
Also occurring here are leopard, brown hyaena, caracal, and jackal and in some areas
African wild dog, spotted hyaena and lion. Given the extensive nature of livestock and wildlife
farming in Namibia, the low human density in rural areas and the persistence of wildlife
outside protected areas, there is still considerable scope for carnivore conservation on the
Namibian freehold farmlands, provided human-carnivore conflict can be managed.
Great strides have been made in Namibia in developing strategies to address human carnivore
conflict issues with formerly advantaged freehold farmers. However, since
Namibia's independence in 1990, land reform has resulted in a new category of farmer
entering the freehold farming sector, the emerging commercial farmer. No data has been
gathered regarding emerging commercial farmers' attitudes and perceptions towards
carnivores, the levels of camivore-conflict and livestock management practices in relation to
livestock losses to carnivores.
intensive conservation efforts. In Namibia, although 13.6 % of the country falls under the
protection of national parks or game reserves, most of these protected areas are situated
along the coastline and are desert habitat. The majority of Namibia's cheetah population
(over 90 %), which is also the world's largest free-ranging population, occurs on privately
owned farmland situated primarily in the north-central cattle-farming region of the country.
Also occurring here are leopard, brown hyaena, caracal, and jackal and in some areas
African wild dog, spotted hyaena and lion. Given the extensive nature of livestock and wildlife
farming in Namibia, the low human density in rural areas and the persistence of wildlife
outside protected areas, there is still considerable scope for carnivore conservation on the
Namibian freehold farmlands, provided human-carnivore conflict can be managed.
Great strides have been made in Namibia in developing strategies to address human carnivore
conflict issues with formerly advantaged freehold farmers. However, since
Namibia's independence in 1990, land reform has resulted in a new category of farmer
entering the freehold farming sector, the emerging commercial farmer. No data has been
gathered regarding emerging commercial farmers' attitudes and perceptions towards
carnivores, the levels of camivore-conflict and livestock management practices in relation to
livestock losses to carnivores.
Additional information
Thesis (MTech (Nature Conservation))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2009
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186003242_Schumann_B_2009.pdf
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