Faulty fence worsens conflict

CONFLICT between human beings and wild animals in areas along the northern border of the Etosha National Park is being accelerated by the poor condition of the fence, a recent study has found.

The study by the University of Namibia found that sections of the fence bordering the Omusati Region were in the worst condition. John Mfune and Margaret Angula of Unam’s Multidisciplinary Research and Consultancy Centre presented the findings of the survey at a one-day workshop in Windhoek yesterday.They said because of this problem, lions, hyenas, elephants and jackals found it easy to wander out of Etosha on the Omusati side.The report says lions are the major ‘problem animals’ in the Oshana Region, while hyenas and jackals cause the most problems in Oshikoto.According to Angula and Mfune, livestock posts in the Oshana Region are very close to the park fence, sometimes as close as 200 metres, and this is where the most problems arise.Other problems highlighted by the study were the destruction of crops and water points, and injury to human beings caused by elephants.Areas identified as affected by human-wildlife conflict include the King Kauluma area, Omuthiyagwiipundi (Oshikoto Region), Onanke village, the Otjivalunda cattle post area (Oshana Region) and Omusatigwambala in Omusati Region.Although still in a draft form as it has not been officially approved by Government, the report recommended that the Ministry of Environment and Tourism should improve the condition of the park fence to prevent animals from wandering.Regular maintenance should be carried out, especially in the rainy season.It also recommends that the Ministry establish offices closer to farming communities so that it can respond faster to reports of problem animals.Some communities are complaining about a slow response by Ministry staff.The report says children should be educated about human-wildlife conflict through subjects such as life science and school trips to Etosha, especially to the Namutoni Education Centre, where they can learn about conservation and the value of wildlife.The report also suggests that while Government does not compensate people for losses caused by problem animals, there was a need to come up with a mechanism that would enable local communities to benefit from wildlife that causes losses, such as giving the meat of problem animals to affected communities.The workshop was officially opened by Environment and Tourism Deputy Minister Leon Jooste, who said human-wildlife conflict was one of the critical issues facing conservation in Namibia.He said local communities needed to be empowered to deal with problems themselves, Jooste said.Human-wildlife conflict refers to a range of conflicts between wild animals and people, from the destruction of homes, crops and water installations by elephants to livestock losses and human casualties caused by predators.John Mfune and Margaret Angula of Unam’s Multidisciplinary Research and Consultancy Centre presented the findings of the survey at a one-day workshop in Windhoek yesterday.They said because of this problem, lions, hyenas, elephants and jackals found it easy to wander out of Etosha on the Omusati side.The report says lions are the major ‘problem animals’ in the Oshana Region, while hyenas and jackals cause the most problems in Oshikoto.According to Angula and Mfune, livestock posts in the Oshana Region are very close to the park fence, sometimes as close as 200 metres, and this is where the most problems arise.Other problems highlighted by the study were the destruction of crops and water points, and injury to human beings caused by elephants.Areas identified as affected by human-wildlife conflict include the King Kauluma area, Omuthiyagwiipundi (Oshikoto Region), Onanke village, the Otjivalunda cattle post area (Oshana Region) and Omusatigwambala in Omusati Region.Although still in a draft form as it has not been officially approved by Government, the report recommended that the Ministry of Environment and Tourism should improve the condition of the park fence to prevent animals from wandering.Regular maintenance should be carried out, especially in the rainy season.It also recommends that the Ministry establish offices closer to farming communities so that it can respond faster to reports of problem animals.Some communities are complaining about a slow response by Ministry staff.The report says children should be educated about human-wildlife conflict through subjects such as life science and school trips to Etosha, especially to the Namutoni Education Centre, where they can learn about conservation and the value of wildlife.The report also suggests that while Government does not compensate people for losses caused by problem animals, there was a need to come up with a mechanism that would enable local communities to benefit from wildlife that causes losses, such as giving the meat of problem animals to affected communities.The workshop was officially opened by Environment and Tourism Deputy Minister Leon Jooste, who said human-wildlife conflict was one of the critical issues facing conservation in Namibia.He said local communities needed to be empowered to deal with problems themselves, Jooste said.Human-wildlife conflict refers to a range of conflicts between wild animals and people, from the destruction of homes, crops and water installations by elephants to livestock losses and human casualties caused by predators.