16/03/2021
ETOSHA NATIONAL PARK
We have visited the Etosha National Park recently to draw some comparisons between the Conservancies managed by the communities and a national park, closed system versus open system and general observations.
While it was refreshing to see the abundance of Plains Game congregating around Namutoni and Okakeujo, almost resembling a Serengeti-like migration, it was also clear that it mostly represented the sum total of Game of the over 22 000 square kilometer park. This translates into a relatively low population considering the vast spread of the protected area and the dire consequences of the recent prolonged drought becomes apparent.
The huge areas that had burnt in October/November 2020 have recovered amazingly and lush growth was seen throughout the Park as well as several Tortoises and even a Python. The Fisher Pan filled up with water from the Omaramba Owambo river and some, not many, waterbirds (no Flamingos) seen. Large Birds of Prey and migrating Birds were scarce and smaller Fauna, i.e. Warthog, Bat-eared Fox, Aardwolf, Suricates etc. quite rare. Shockingly, no Warthogs have been seen along the main roads all the way from Swakopmund and only one small family was seen near Fisher’s Pan.
After spending two weeks and driving to all the accessible areas in the park at least twice we had encountered a total of about 25 Elephants and very little signs of big herds, i.e. paths, dung, broken branches etc. We also spoke to many of the staff, most who have spend many years as employees in the park. From the answers received one got the impression that the park has the capacity to easily accommodate the 170 Elephants on tender for sale and the question arose as to why it has not been considered as an option.
We had the opportunity to compare the “Savannah Lions” to our Desert Adapted Lions in the Kunene region and it was interesting to note that, despite the much higher prey density, the Etosha Lions’ also experience hardship during the rainy season due to difficulty in hunting on the open plains where prey species congregated. Some were lean but none were emaciated, and all were in fair condition generally. We concurred that the Desert Adapted Lions would have a field day in the Park as their hunting skills have been honed and are most likely far superior to the “spoilt” Etosha Lions. Judging from the information we gathered and the Lions we encountered, we are keen to know how the estimation of the population of about 450 Lions came to be and how it had been calculated as we felt that the estimation may be a bit ambitious. We only saw one Lion with a collar. The prides we encountered were relatively small and the gender ratio seemed well balanced and many males were seen. One pride consisted of an older female and 5 sub adult males which reminded us of the Five Musketeers of the Hoanibriver of “Vanishing Kings” (the movie) fame.
It dawned on us that, by comparison, a protected area like Etosha clearly serves over-all conservation far better than the Conservancy model, the latter which is more open to detrimental over-exploitation, mal-administration, corruption, greed and the lack of know-how needed. Having said that however, the CBNRM concept is a sound one but clearly needs some improvements. Proclaiming and zoning Wildlife and Tourism zones as legally protected areas through which encroachment and abuse is effectively halted, partnerships and empowering JV’s with able parties/investors optimizing yields from such protected areas, mentoring communities and responsible management of the benefits had from such arrangements may well be the solution as the current status quo leaves a lot to be desired by both communities and Nature itself. Conservancy management and administration sadly, in the Minister’s own words, is a great contributing factor to the concept being challenged as it stands now.
Maybe the late Garth Owen-Smith who dedicated his life to the cause, realized this when he advocated the “People’s Parks” concept as one of his last efforts to save the CBNRM model before he passed on?
