Reducing human/wildlife conflict through the implementation of satellite-based monitoring and automated early warning systems

Lions are mesmerising wherever you see them, but those in northwest Namibia are particularly fascinating, because they’ve managed to adapt to life in the desert. We support The Desert Lion Conservation Project and Integrated Rural Development and Nature Conservation (IRDNC) in an effort to protect the desert-adapted lions of northwest Namibia from human-wildlife conflict.

The lions in the region are a uniquely desert-adapted population that survive some of the most challenging conditions faced by their species: a water stressed desert environment; a highly variable prey base; and human conflict. Whilst their survival is fascinating to the visitors who travel to see them, it’s less positive for local herders whose livestock might provide an opportune meal. Retaliatory killing of lions is the primary reason for their recent decline in northwest Namibia.

The desert-lion population has been monitored, and their survival strategies studied for more than 20 years by Dr Philip Stander. Based on this extensive knowledge and the important outreach work of IRDNC, the project is implementing an automatic monitoring and early warning system that aims to prevent further conflict with livestock herders. Using new satellite collars and communications software, the system warns farmers of nearby lions so herders can corral livestock and prevent predation.

Your stay at Shipwreck Lodge contributes towards this project.

Learn More Support This Project