Okavango Delta Management Plan - Ramsar Convention on Wetlands

No. <strong>Management</strong> Area Key issues Key Activities Status and documentation Recommendations
5 Wildlife
management
90
Unsustainable
management of the
wildlife populations in
relation to the wellbeing
of communities
and interactions with
the livestock sector
and tourism industry:
Conduct baseline
surveys of the
buffalos
Conduct baseline
survey of the Cheetah
and Leopard
Conduct baseline
survey of slaty egret
Conduct baseline
survey of African
skimmer, Sitatunga
Human-elephant
interactions
Baseline survey of buffalos was undertaken (ODMP – The Numbers and
Distribution of the African Buffalo in the <strong>Okavango</strong> <strong>Delta</strong>, 2004).
A total of 14 575 animals (minimum) were counted during the survey. The
estimate based on a 20% correction of the observed total was 17 430
animals.
Baseline survey was conducted ( ODMP - Leopard and cheetah baseline
inventory in the <strong>Okavango</strong> <strong>Delta</strong> particularly in relation to areas of
Human Wildlife Conflict, 2006)
Leopard density was highest in the Moremi sampling area with an estimate
of 3.2 individuals/100km2. The Kwando area had less than half this density
with only 1.5 individuals/100km This equates to a density of
approximately 1.3 leopards per 100/km2.
The cheetah population for the <strong>Ramsar</strong> Site is estimated at 247 individuals
(208 excluding swamp areas) representing 9% of the total estimated
National population. Cheetah density for the <strong>Ramsar</strong> site is estimated at 0.7
cheetah per 100/km2.
A helicopter should be used for photography as
it provides stable platform for this purpose. In
addition, observers are also afforded a much
better opportunity to give more accurate
estimates. A dry season count when buffalo are
confined to a smaller area due to the restricted
water availability would be more preferable in
future.
It is recommended that the ODMP integrate
cheetah and leopard population monitoring
activities into a larger Predator Monitoring
Framework.
Leopard and cheetah population surveys should
be conducted twice annually to identify
seasonal variation. Area surveyed and transect
lengths should not be overwhelming but of a
size which will facilitate completion twice a year
realistically identifying the multitude of
responsibilities that DWNP officers have.
Consistent long-term data sets are more
valuable than once off mass data collection
exercises.
The survey has been completed (ODMP - Baseline Survey, 2006). Existing and potential breeding sites should be
protected.
The survey had to be deferred due to lack of funds
The study is still ongoing
Further research is needed to locate all nesting
sites, and then these sites should be protected
against factors that impact on them i.e. fire,
reed-cutting and human disturbance.
It is crucial to maintain the seasonal floodplains
that form the Slaty Egrets’ major feeding
habitat.