Wildlife encroachement
Wildlife encroachement

KAZA: Wildlife isolation due to human encroachment

Ellanie Smit
Wildlife habitat fragmentation and isolation has occurred in the Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA TFCA) due to human encroachment and livestock activity.

This according to the KAZA elephant survey, which also produced population estimates for other species such as buffalo, giraffe, hartebeest, hippopotamus, impala, roan, sable, wildebeest and zebra.

Importantly, estimates of domestic livestock herds reflected a ratio of wildlife to domestic stock approaching parity, according to the survey report.

“The ratio of 1.16 wild animals to one domestic animal is an important metric, in that provides a benchmark of the relative abundance of wild and domestic animals in the region.”

The survey highlighted the growing pressure on water and rangeland and the significance of measures to promote integrated land use planning, co-existence and cross-sectoral policy harmonisation.

It estimated an elephant population of 227 900 in KAZA, while 535 826 heads of livestock were observed.

The survey was undertaken by the five KAZA partner countries – Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe - between August and October 2022, and cost about N$59 million.

Spatial segregation

The distribution of elephants in relation to cattle and human settlements revealed a pattern of spatial segregation between elephants and the presence of humans and livestock, the report read.

“This fragmentation and isolation of wildlife habitat affects connectivity and mobility of wildlife populations and can have a notable impact on the resilience of the ecosystem, making it more vulnerable to disturbances and less able to adapt to changing climatic conditions.”

Figures indicate that there is notably high pressure in the central Zambezi Region of Namibia, which includes the Kwando and Zambezi-Chobe wildlife dispersal areas.

It said these areas are critical for wildlife movement and migration.

In Namibia, where there are approximately 21 090 elephants in the KAZA area, 171 860 livestock were observed, the majority being cattle.

These results can help conservationists and policymakers identify areas where human activity and livestock pressure is increasing and to take appropriate measures to mitigate the impact on wildlife habitats, it said.

Collaborative effort

“This will require a collaborative effort from all stakeholders - including local communities, governments and conservation organisations - to ensure that the KAZA TFCA remains a vital stronghold for wildlife and a source of livelihood for local communities.”

The partner states directed the KAZA Secretariat to coordinate efforts towards the development of a detailed transboundary action plan, which will be added to an already existing strategic planning framework for the conservation and management of elephants.

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Namibian Sun 2024-11-07

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