Community based human-wildlife coexistence project in communal conservancies of Namibia

Authors: Mogae Makonyela (PhD Student), Valencia Shipapo (MSc Student) and Dipanjan Naha (Project Manager)

The Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF), Namibia is implementing a Darwin Initiative project funded by the UK government on human-wildlife coexistence within communal conservancies of Namibia. The project aims to address threats to biodiversity conservation and rural poverty by developing a model for reducing negative impacts of wildlife cooccurrence within shared landscapes of Namibia. The project has an interdisciplinary approach integrating social science, ecological and genetic techniques to generate the knowledge required for toolkit development across 8 communal conservancies. The coexistence model will empower communities and will be implemented within conflict hotspots identified through the project. CCF collaborates with the local leadership from the communal conservancies and plans to create employment opportunities by engaging members in monitoring biodiversity and human-wildlife interactions.

In line with the project activities, CCF team comprising of 2 students (Mogae Makonyela, Valencia Shipapo) and education officer Joe Brown had a heartwarming experience doing field work in the western conservancies in March 2025. Namibia’s communal conservancies are a beacon of conservation success highlighting the concept of community based natural resource management (CBNRM). Local members actively participate in managing and protecting their natural resources. These areas, spanning vast landscapes from arid savannas to rugged mountains, are home to diverse wildlife, including elephants, leopards, hyenas, rhinos, lions, and cheetahs. These conservancies are places of raw beauty and untamed wilderness, but also areas where conservation efforts are critical. So much so that they recently became the backdrop for an important conservation initiative.

Human-Wildlife Interactions and Coexistence

These communal areas located in the Erongo and Kunene region of Namibia face increasing challenges attributed to negative human-wildlife interactions. Growing human populations, expanding settlements, climatic changes and scarce resources lead to more frequent conflicts with wildlife, especially predators and elephants. Thus, our work in these conservancies, aims to promote coexistence between humans and wildlife through education, research, and community involvement. The project is implemented across 8 conservancies, (2) in the east and (6) in the western part of the country, where people and livestock share semi-arid and arid landscapes. The communal conservancies and the issues surrounding human-wildlife cooccurrence within these areas exemplify common conservation challenges that affect several wildlife species across Africa. These conservancies were identified to experience human-wildlife conflicts (HWC) while also harboring endangered wildlife. HWC is a major burden on the livelihoods of rural communities threatening both food security and personal safety.

The journey to the western conservancies (Doro !Nawas, Uibasen Twyfelfontein, Sorris Sorris, Otjimboyo, Ohungu and !Khore !Goreb), was an adventure. Driving along dusty roads, with dramatic mountain silhouettes rising against the horizon, we encountered the sheer beauty of Namibia’s wilderness and its people. Herds of springbok dotted the terrain, and, on occasions, we caught glimpses of the desert-adapted elephants that roam this arid land. Our main activities involved servicing camera traps deployed across the landscape, conducting social surveys and training game guards, local community members in collection of carnivore scats and genetic samples from carnivore bite marks on livestock. Upon arrival in Sorris Sorris conservancy, we met with the game guards and the selected community members-locals responsible for monitoring and protecting the area’s wildlife, as in all eight conservancies we collaborate with. These individuals play a crucial role in monitoring biodiversity, serving as the first line of defense against poaching and responding to HWC incidents.

Camera Trap Survey

A total of about 100 camera traps were deployed last year at the initial stages of the project, 50 each in the western and eastern cluster. Each camera trap was mounted at a height of approximately 40–60 cm above ground, and they were to be operated continuously for a period of eight months to cover both the dry and wet seasons. The game guards accompanied us throughout our activities, providing valuable insights and rich knowledge about their areas. We trained them in the use of camera traps for monitoring wildlife. We spent time retrieving SD cards, checking battery levels and repositioning cameras in strategic locations where signs of wildlife activity were evident. The camera trap data will be used to estimate mammalian diversity and map areas of conservation importance for both the clusters especially with regards to carnivores and elephants.
Social and HWC Survey

We would make another stop at the homesteads within the areas where he had deployed cameras and conduct social surveys to assess perceived losses and attitudes towards wildlife. A total of 200 households will be surveyed in the next few months to explore the socio-economic, cultural, and attitudinal factors influencing HWC. The questionnaires are designed to capture data on different components including demographics and livelihood dependence, perceptions and experiences with wildlife, types and frequency of conflict, conflict mitigation practices and coping strategies, and awareness and attitudes towards wildlife conservation. Historical and recent records of HWC incidents will be compiled to map hotspots and risky areas. Overlap between areas of conservation importance and HWC hotspots would be identified through integration of camera trap and social survey results.

Scat & Bite Mark Sample Collection

Misidentification of predators responsible for livestock attacks frequently leads to the unnecessary targeting of non-conflict species or individuals. This issue is compounded by farmers’ assumptions about carnivore presence and the lack of tools to definitively link predators to attacks. Use of modern molecular techniques, such as microsatellites, have proven to offer precise identification of predator species, sex, and individuals. Through this project we aim to assess the effectiveness of a wildlife forensics method using hair or skin samples, collect predator salivary DNA (from bite marks or feeding wounds) and accurately identify the species and the carnivore individuals involved in livestock predation. To ensure accurate and practical results, this project will use real-life samples collected directly from livestock predation sites within communal conservancies. We trained the game guards and women community members from 5 western conservancies in the collection of non-invasive samples by using practical demonstrations, to ensure efficient collection, storage and record keeping for dependable and reliable data on HWC incidents. This data is critical for understanding actual HWC levels and accurately identifying the predators involved in attacks on livestock. The enthusiasm and eagerness of the game guards and the selected women community members to learn underscored their deep commitment to conservation and ownership of the project.

A Lasting Impact

When it was time to retire for the day, our team tucked away in the rugged landscapes which consisted of vast, arid expanse of rocky outcrops, rolling plains and ancient riverbeds. As our trip came to an end, we left with a renewed appreciation for the resilience of the landscapes, the wildlife and the people dedicated to protecting it all. The game guards and community members are now equipped with new skills and knowledge, are better prepared to monitor biodiversity and participate in the upcoming project activities.