Namibia’s large carnivore numbers raise concern over human-wildlife conflict

Staff Reporter

NEW population estimates for Namibia’s large carnivores have raised concern over declining wildlife numbers and growing human-wildlife conflict, prompting conservation stakeholders to call for stronger coordination, improved monitoring and greater support for communities living alongside predators.

The figures were presented at a national Multi-Stakeholder Working Meeting on Human-Wildlife Conflict and Large Carnivore Conservation held in Windhoek, bringing together more than 40 government officials, conservationists, researchers, farmers, hunters, tourism representatives and other stakeholders.

Namibia is home to 34 terrestrial carnivore species, of which 11 are considered either threatened or near threatened in the country. According to data presented by Dr Tim Hofmann of the Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF), six species are classified as threatened and five as near threatened, with wild cats among the most affected groups.

Photos: Kalahari African Wild Dog Conservation Project/Kwando Carnivore Project