The
Namibian lion is the most threatened and endangered of
the large carnivore species, and arguably also one of
the more vulnerable large mammals in Namibia. Their distribution
is confined to large protected areas and extreme arid
environments. Throughout their range, and along the borders
of the protected areas, conflict between lions and the
Namibian people is a regular and significant problem.
Lions prey on domestic livestock, and in protection of
their livelihood, local people shoot, trap, or poison
lions. These incidents of Human Lion Conflict result in
significant financial and conservation losses. Furthermore,
the lion is a key and flagship species for the influential
and growing tourism industry.
The
majority of lions that live outside protected areas occur
in the arid habitats of the Kunene Region. The local communities
share their land with free-ranging lions and, as a result,
incidents of Human Lion Conflict are frequent. The Kunene
Region, with its’ unique landscapes, fauna and flora,
is also an important area for tourism. The conservation
of lions in the Kunene region is therefore essential to
address Human Lion Conflict, and to conserve a flagship
species for the tourism industry. The Desert Lion Project
contributes to this process by maintaining a comprehensive
database on the densit, demography, and population ecology
of lions. Through applied research and monitoring, the
study collects sound scientific data to guide management
strategies and the implementation of a National Lion Conservation
Strategy.
The
Desert Lion Project covers an area of 51,380 km2 in
the Kunene Region that includes the Palmwag, Etendeka
& Hobatere Concessions, the Skeleton Coast Park,
and bordering Communal Conservancies (Fig. 1). The
area falls in the Etendeka Plateau landscape of the
northern Namib Desert, with an annual rainfall of
0 - 100 mm (Mendelsohn et al. 2002), and stretches
from the Atlantic Ocean in the west, to the edge of
human settlement and livestock farming in the east.
The Kunene River runs along the north, and the Omaruru
River forms the southern border of the study area.
Wildlife
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