EXPEDITION REPORT - Biosphere Expeditions

Please note: Each expedition report is written as a stand-alone document that can be read
without having to refer back to previous reports. As such, much of this section, which
remains valid and relevant, is a repetition from previous reports, copied here to provide the
reader with an uninterrupted flow of argument and rationale.
1.1. Background
1. Expedition Review
Biosphere Expeditions runs wildlife conservation research expeditions to all corners of the
Earth. Projects are not tours, photographic safaris or excursions, but genuine research
expeditions placing ordinary people with no research experience alongside scientists who
are at the forefront of conservation work. Expeditions are open to all and there are no
special skills (biological or otherwise) required to join. Expedition team members are
people from all walks of life and of all ages, looking for an adventure with a conscience
and a sense of purpose. More information about Biosphere Expeditions and its research
expeditions can be found at www.biosphere-expeditions.org.
This expedition report deals with an expedition to Namibia that ran from 3 September to 3
November 2007. The expedition was part of a long-term research project on large
carnivores living on farmland in Namibia. The expedition's emphases were on capture
activities, radio-tracking, counting spoor (also known as tracks) frequencies and on
recording prey animals by hide-based observations at water points and on game study
drives.
Namibia harbours the world’s highest population of cheetahs and is one of a few African
countries that support six species of large carnivores. Lions, spotted hyaenas and wild
dogs are mainly restricted to protected areas, but cheetahs, leopards and brown hyaenas
still occur on areas with intensive livestock and/or game farming. Today about 40% of the
total area in Namibia is used for commercial livestock breeding and it is estimated that this
land provides the habitat for 90% of the current Namibian cheetah population. Ensuing
conflict with humans has resulted in large numbers of predators being captured and/or
shot. Large carnivores do kill livestock, but the extent of losses and financial damage to
the farmers has to date not been properly quantified.
Although the Namibian cheetah is a fascinating flagship species, its ecology is poorly
understood and this makes conservation of the species difficult. Hunting quotas are set
without scientific basis, removal through human conflict is poorly monitored and no reliable
population density estimates exist (the frequently used and well-published figure of 2,500-
3,000 individuals has been quoted for the past 20 years, but is very likely inaccurate as it
is based on unscientific guesswork). Due to this lack of scientific data, the effectiveness of
present conservation efforts are in doubt. New baseline data on population density,
demography and ecology are thus urgently required. Data gathered during this expedition
will be an essential ingredient to a new and effective conservation strategy for the
Namibian cheetah, leopard and brown hyaena.
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