Being stressed outside the park—conservation of African elephants (Loxodonta africana) in Namibia

Hunninck, Louis; Ringstad, Iris H; Jackson, Craig R.; May, Roelof Frans; Fossøy, Frode; Uiseb, Kenneth; Killian, Werner; Palme, Rupert

doi:10.1093/conphys/cox080

Cited by 6 publications

(7 citation statements)

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“…The cost/benefit ratios are highly variable between conservancies with some experiencing large profit margins while others suffer disproportionate losses from human‐wildlife conflict (Brown, 2011). While Kunene elephant numbers have increased overall in the past decades (Schnegg & Kiaka, 2018), evidence exists that elephants in some Kunene conservancies experience higher levels of stress and potentially lower calf recruitment compared with those in Etosha (Hunninck et al, 2017). Notable declines of elephants in the Hoarusib, Hoanib, and Uniab river systems have occurred (Ramey & Brown, 2019).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Precipitation, vegetation productivity, and human impacts control home range size of elephants in dryland systems in northern Namibia

Benitez

Kilian

Wittemyer

et al. 2022

Ecology and Evolution

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Climatic variability, resource availability, and anthropogenic impacts heavily influence an animal's home range. This makes home range size an effective metric for understanding how variation in environmental factors alter the behavior and spatial distribution of animals. In this study, we estimated home range size of African elephants (Loxodonta africana) across four sites in Namibia, along a gradient of precipitation and human impact, and investigated how these gradients influence the home range size on regional and site scales. Additionally, we estimated the time individuals spent within protected area boundaries. The mean 50% autocorrelated kernel density estimate for home range was 2200 km2 [95% CI:1500–3100 km2]. Regionally, precipitation and vegetation were the strongest predictors of home range size, accounting for a combined 53% of observed variation. However, different environmental covariates explained home range variation at each site. Precipitation predicted most variation (up to 74%) in home range sizes (n = 66) in the drier western sites, while human impacts explained 71% of the variation in home range sizes (n = 10) in Namibia's portion of the Kavango‐Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area. Elephants in all study areas maintained high fidelity to protected areas, spending an average of 85% of time tracked on protected lands. These results suggest that while most elephant space use in Namibia is driven by natural dynamics, some elephants are experiencing changes in space use due to human modification.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Precipitation, vegetation productivity, and human impacts control home range size of elephants in dryland systems in northern Namibia

Benitez

Kilian

Wittemyer

et al. 2022

Ecology and Evolution

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“…Human population growth especially in areas around nature reserves leads to conflict between humans and wildlife. Hunninck et al (2017) argue that due to population growth, wild animals' populace and the human communities residing together with them usually compete over land and the natural resources in that area. Such a situation usually leads to damaging exchanges between them and might lead to, among other, destruction of crops or physical damages (Hunninck et al, 2017).…”

Section: Challenges Of Nature Reserves Management and Community Involvementmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Hunninck et al (2017) argue that due to population growth, wild animals' populace and the human communities residing together with them usually compete over land and the natural resources in that area. Such a situation usually leads to damaging exchanges between them and might lead to, among other, destruction of crops or physical damages (Hunninck et al, 2017). Chardonnet (2019) posit that certain species are more problematic to conserve compared to others because they cause conflict with the inhabitants (the huge predators, for instance), they are species that are preferred for the money-making benefits from parts of their body (pangolins for their scales, rhinoceroses for their horns, elephants for ivory, etc.…”

Section: Challenges Of Nature Reserves Management and Community Involvementmentioning

confidence: 99%

Challenges in Community Participation in Management of Nature Reserves

Mahlangabeza

Zwelakhe

2021

Mediterr. J. Soc. Sci.

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The management and protection of protected areas such as nature reserves remains a primary concern for the different stakeholders involved especially the marginalised rural communities that are deprived of genuine ownership of the natural resources. Therefore, the representation of the marginalised rural communities adjacent to the protected areas has become significant in the control and utilisation of natural resources in protected areas. Community Property Associations (CPAs) have been tasked with the mandate to ensure community representation in the management of natural resources. However, their participation in the management of natural resources have been questioned and under scrutiny. The aim of this study is to investigate the challenges in communal participation in management of nature reserves. A qualitative research method was used for collecting data. Semi-structured interviews were utilised to collect data from a sample constituting n=10 respondents. The data were analysed using thematic analysis. The data from this study revealed that there is limited participation by the CPA members in the management of Dwesa-Cwebe Nature Reserve. The ownership and participation in the management of natural resources by local communities is important in ensuring meaningful development. Received: 21 July 2021 / Accepted: 20 September 2021 / Published: 5 November 2021

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“…There is growing pressure on wildlife and habitats in sub-Saharan Africa because of the rapid increase in human population and livestock, as well as droughts and other events linked to climate change (UNCBD, 2020; WWF, 2020). This will continue to increase local competition in rural areas for water resources, grasslands and other natural resources (Hunninck et al, 2017; Chase & Landen, 2019; IUCN, 2020; Carpenter, 2021). The need for the planning and implementation of wildlife conservation strategies that focus on habitats and biodiversity outside of protected areas is therefore growing in importance.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Lessons on the Community Conservancy Model for Wildlife Protection in Namibia

Wenborn

Svensson

Katupa³

et al. 2022

The Journal of Environment & Development

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The growing human population in Africa is putting increasing pressure on habitats and wildlife outside of protected areas. The wildlife conservancy model in Namibia empowers rural communities to decide on the use of wildlife. Namibia started to implement the conservancy model in the 1990s and provides relevant experience from which other countries can learn. We reviewed the conservancy model in northwest Namibia to identify lessons for other countries. Our core work included case studies on six conservancies. We confirmed success factors for conservancies include: investment and revenues, strong governance and support from NGOs, as has been identified in previous studies. We conclude that a comprehensive wildlife monitoring programme is also a critical success factor. The wildlife monitoring method in conservancies in Namibia has been consistent since 2001, and the results show that populations have recovered and stabilised, although there are ongoing risks to wildlife and habitats in this fragile landscape.

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Being stressed outside the park—conservation of African elephants (Loxodonta africana) in Namibia

Cited by 6 publications

References 0 publications

Precipitation, vegetation productivity, and human impacts control home range size of elephants in dryland systems in northern Namibia

Precipitation, vegetation productivity, and human impacts control home range size of elephants in dryland systems in northern Namibia

Challenges in Community Participation in Management of Nature Reserves

Lessons on the Community Conservancy Model for Wildlife Protection in Namibia

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