Status and past and present distribution of elephants in the Kaokoveld, South West Africa/Namibia

Abstract

The status and the past and present distribution of elephants (Loxodonta africana) in the Kaokoveld are examined. The elephants of the Kaokoveld are divided into a western and eastern 'resident' population with a transitional population in between. In 1983, 357 individual elephants were identified with 70 in the western desert-dwelling population, 207 in the eastern population and 80 in the transitional population. Adistinction is made between permanent distribution and occasional wanderings. The available records indicate that elephants were present in the northern Namib Desert long before the advent of western man. From the present data it is also clear that man had little or no influence on the occupation of the western areas by elephants, but since 1880 man has caused a decline in elephant distribution and numbers. Currently the elephant's status there seems relatively stable following intensified law enforcement. However, with the small population sizes, the situation remains vulnerable. Die status, en huidige en voormalige verspreiding van die olifante (Loxodonta afdcana) in die Kaokoveld word bespreek. Die olifante word basies in 'n oostelike en westelike bevolking verdeel, met 'n derde oorgangsbevolking tussenin. Gedurende 1983 is 357 olifante in die Kaokoveld ge'identifiseer met 70 in die westelike bevolking, 207 in die oostelike en 'n verdere 80 in die oorgangsbevolking. In hierdie studie word 'n onderskeid tussen permanente besetting en ongereelde swerftogte getref. Beskikbare rekords dui daarop dat olifante in die noordelike Namibwoestyn teenwoordig was voor die koms van blankes in die gebied. Uit die huidige navorsing is dit ook duidelik dat die mens min of geen invloed op die westelike besetting van die olifante gehad het nie. Sedert 1880 was daar 'n drastiese afname in die olifantgetalle. op die oomblik is die bevolkings egter relatief stabiel na 'n verskerping in wetstoepassing, maar met die klein bevolkings bly die olifante se toekoms in die weegskaal.

Habitat selection and preferred food plants of a desert‐dwelling elephant population in the northern Namib Desert, South West Africa/Namibia

“…The western region of the Kaokoveld or nothern Namib Desert, as defined here, lies between 11'45' and 14" 1 SE, and 17'00 and 21'05's and encompasses western Kaokoland, western Damaraland and the whole of the Skeleton Coast Park (Fig. The study area experiences three defined ecological seasons (Viljoen, 1988), i.e. Covering approximately 4.5 million hectares, the northern Namib Desert is extremely arid, with a marked gradient in annual rainfall from 150 mm in the east to as low as 19 mm in the west.…”

“…Data from aerial and ground surveys were pooled as there was no significant difference between the seasonal frequency of different habitats occupied by the elephants with the two survey methods employed ( t = 1.86; P>0.05; df= 6). Size (km') and description of the habitat categories used in habitat preference determination of the desert-dwelling elephants in the northern Namib Desert, between 1980(Viljoen. Table 1.…”

“…Through a series of transects (Viljoen, 1988) the abundance of each woody plant species in the selected habitat types were monitored. river courses, mountains and rocky plains, as the other habitat types support mainly annual grasses and herbs which were not constantly available for analysis.…”

“…Of these, seventy elephants represent the desert-dwelling population residing in the extremely arid western part of the Kaokoveld known as the northern Namib Desert (Viljoen, 1987). Of these, seventy elephants represent the desert-dwelling population residing in the extremely arid western part of the Kaokoveld known as the northern Namib Desert (Viljoen, 1987).…”

“…During 1983 some 357 elephants, Loxodonta africana (Blumenbach), were counted in the Kaokoveld region of South West Africa/Namibia. Of these, seventy elephants represent the desert-dwelling population residing in the extremely arid western part of the Kaokoveld known as the northern Namib Desert (Viljoen, 1987). Here the delicate balance between available water, rainfall and vegetation governs the welfare of the animals living in the desert.…”