Namibia’s Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism has recently announced that it is taking decisive actions to address the issue of human-wildlife conflict in various regions of the country. The goal behind these measures is to minimize the negative impacts of such conflicts and foster a harmonious coexistence between humans and wildlife.
Pohamba Shifeta, the minister of environment, forestry, and tourism, revealed that the ministry has recognized the escalating challenges faced by farmers and communities and has accordingly launched a series of practical initiatives to mitigate the consequences of these conflicts.
These efforts have included conducting awareness and outreach activities in areas that have been heavily affected by human-wildlife conflicts. The ministry has also provided training to conservancies in eight regions of Namibia, with 32 lion rangers and 172 game guards receiving specialized training on how to manage these conflicts effectively.
Furthermore, in an attempt to reduce the impact on farmers and local communities, the ministry has distributed fencing materials to 390 farmers to ward off elephants. Additionally, predator-proof kraals have been constructed in various regions to protect livestock from predators.
The minister stated that the ministry has acquired and deployed 35 satellite collars for predators such as lions, spotted hyenas, leopards, and crocodiles in the northwest and northeastern regions of the country. These collars will aid in tracking and monitoring the movement of these predators, thus allowing for timely intervention in potential conflict situations.
In addition to these measures, early warning towers have been erected in Kunene South, and boreholes have been equipped with elephant protection walls and solar panels to help deter elephants from encroaching on farmland. These additional precautions are part of the ministry’s comprehensive strategy to address human-wildlife conflicts from multiple angles.
