Namibia has translocated 575 wild animals from Etosha National Park to conservation areas across the country, including communal conservancies in the Kunene region.
The translocation, led by the Ministry of Environment and Tourism, was supported by conservation partners.
Conservation Travel Foundation (CTF) founder Tristan Cowley says the initiative demonstrates the importance of collaboration between the government, communities and conservation organisations.
“Namibia’s conservation success has always been built on partnership. The government has created the framework that allows conservation to thrive,” he says.
CTF, the non-profit conservation arm of ultimate.earth, formerly Ultimate Safaris, contributed about N$2.7 million towards the operation.
The Kunene region is home to desert-adapted wildlife, including black rhino, elephants and lions. Conservation partners say the increasing prey populations is important for maintaining ecological balance and supporting efforts to reduce human-wildlife conflict.
Cowley says continued collaboration between different sectors was necessary to address conservation challenges facing the country.
The CTG says it will continue supporting conservation initiatives aimed at protecting biodiversity and strengthening community conservation.
