https://www.namibian.com.na/83...pard-population-dips


Namibia leopard population dips

News - Environment | 2019-09-12 Page no: 8

A RECENT study has provided a more accurate estimate of the distribution and number of leopards in Namibia.

The latest census (August 2019) of Namibia's leopards gives an estimate population of 11 733 leopards. This is a reduction from the 14 154 estimate from a 2011 census (Stein et al).

The report states that the leopard population is not declining countrywide, and that changes in methodology caused the drop in reported populations between 2011 and 2019.

Information and data for the census was collected from across Namibia, including sightings, photographs, distribution data and population trends.

Two camera trap surveys and an intensive questionnaire survey were also conducted. Some areas showed leopard density increases over the 2011 census, and others showed reductions.

Evidence collected reveals that the core of Namibia's leopard population occurs on freehold farmland and communal conservancies in the Kunene region, where they are under pressure due to human-wildlife conflict and poaching using wire snares.

Populations in these areas are higher than they are in national parks because of less competition from other predators and a higher prey base. Results show a clear link between the tolerance of leopards on the one hand, and income-generating activities (photographic tourism and trophy hunting) on the other hand.

The report suggests that the biggest threat to leopard populations in Namibia is 'problem leopard' removal due to human-wildlife conflict. The research was led by carnivore specialist Louisa Richmond-Coggan of LRC Wildlife Conservation.

Her website description of this project: “In cooperation with the Ministry of Environment and Tourism, NAPHA has employed my services to undertake a Leopard National Censusing and Sustainable Hunting Practices study which will run from June 2017 to December 2018.”

Organisations that collaborated in conducting this census include the Ministry of Environment and Tourism; the Large Carnivore Management Association of Namibia (LCMAN); the Namibian Professional Hunting Association and the Namibian Chamber of Environment.

– Africa Geographic Editorial

Considering how primitive game counts are conducted in the field, the statistical deviation and confidence level in the data doesn't meet the laugh test. At best, the data should be considered a wild ass guess especially when it comes to nocturnal leopards.

But the fact that the Ministry of Environment and Tourism isn't doing anything to curb rampant poaching within the Kunene is entirely accurate. Most of the money being generated by the Etosha park is being diverted to the Namibian Military - yeah like that makes total sense. MET doesn't have enough funds to grade the roads within the Park much less conduct proper anti-poaching activities.

Most importantly is that MET are taking note of the situation and at least applying adaptive management practises. Camera trap surveys as well as the applied questionnaires and information shared between hunters and MET is the relationship that other landscapes should desire.

Namibia are probably one of the few countries that realise the value that hunting adds and the future benefits that hunting holds for them and their communities. By them doing surveys etc shows that they care and that they are monitoring their assets. Said surveys are probably the most acceptable and up top date methods available, allowing areas to identify individuals and pick up on probability of occurrence. There are very few ways to survey such cryptic species.