HWCM - Ministry of Environment and Tourism

National Workshop on Human Wildlife Conflict Management 2005
The first action is to have a livestock management plan with preventative measures to
avoid conflict from GRN and the conservancy side. When there is conflict, trophy-hunting
takes place, supplemented by research and monitoring, adaptive measures and
involvement of the local communities. Setting out management strategies is a positive
move to addressing and perhaps solving conflicts.
Questions and answers
Chris Thouless (NTDP – MET) pointed out that data did not indicate the extent of the problems
each lion mapped caused. Dr Stander agreed that the data relating to problems on the northern
and southern boundaries was biased. Namugongo wanted to know if there were any lions left; Dr
Stander replied that the population in Kunene, for example, was growing at 17 percent a year.
Lions were fast breeders, with a gestation period of between two and three months and animals
reached adulthood at a young age.
The PS said that although Dr Stander had mentioned trophy-hunting in the Ehirovipuka
Conservancy had solved problems and had generated funds to offset costs, the problems
continued. Dr Stander agreed that lions return or soon fill gaps left by hunted animals. This was a
mitigation measure rather than solving the problem. He said that the more effective people were
at solving problems, the more problems were created. He said that if they continued to grow at
the current rate, then 30 lions would die every year along the ENP border. “We are looking at
more effective sustainable use, so that we can turn the problem into a use.”
Haasbroek observed that the focus was more on large adult males, although there were more
problems with sub-adults. Dr Stander said that hunters wanted large adult males as trophies, and
although sub-adults did not fetch the same prices, the money from hunting them was useful.
Responding to a question from George Masilo (MET) regarding wild dogs, Dr Stander outlined
work done by a researcher employed by the NNF in the Omaheke and Otjozondjupa regions. A
discussion ensued concerning the merits and demerits of poisoning wild dogs.
Lizazi asked what could be done if a lion returned to an area. He said farmers were facing
problems and sometimes poisoned animals. He suggested that this should be addressed and that
people should be prevented from taking this measure.
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