In what may seem paradoxical, lions can thrive during droughts. As grazing reduces, antelopes and livestock congregate in areas with remaining grazing and water, and become easy prey. Over seven consecutive years, a drought has ravaged the already dwindling herds of the Kunene farmers’ cattle, sheep and goats. As if that wasn’t enough, farmers have had to contend with an expanding lion population that has further destroyed the livestock upon which their livelihoods depend. In a two-month span of work to respond to human-lion conflict incidents reported by local farmers, IRDNC Kunene’s Human-Wildlife Support (HWS) Unit – which was established in 2017 – encountered 25 lions in only three conservancies (Ehi-Rovipuka, Omatendeka and Anabeb). The three conservancies have become hotspots for human-lion conflict primarily due to their location neighbouring Etosha National Park.
The unfortunate human-lion conflict in the three conservancies has led to some lions being shot or poisoned by farmers in retribution or self-defence, prompting IRDNC to prioritise mitigation solutions to in the area.
IRDNC has employed the following measures:The HWS Unit plans to construct more kraals in Torra Conservancy, while continuing with lion monitoring, patrols and responding to community requests. The team will also conduct a survey on settlement patterns to better understand the human geography in the region. Collaborations with other field non-governmental organisations and the Ministry of Environment and Tourism (MET) on human-wildlife conflict continues. Cooperation with MET is particularly crucial at this time to determining how to deal with problem lions as incidents peak.