The N/a’an ku sê Foundation has, since 2008, worked tirelessly to engage Namibian landowners and livestock farmers on the topic which provides the greatest challenge to the conservation of endangered wildlife: The Human-Wildlife Conflict.
The impact of human activities on native wildlife has never been more apparent than it is in respect to two of Africa’s iconic species; the African Wild Dog (Lycaon pictus) and the African Elephant (Loxidonta africanus) both of which have endured decades of suffering through conflict with human activities.
In a bid to alter this, researchers from N/a’an ku sê have been working in the Mangetti Complex, northern Namibia, to understand better the levels, and causes, of conflict between these two species and the local population.
Volunteers will assist our researchers in monitoring the movements and activities of elephant and wild dog. Using GPS and VHF technology, motion-sensitive trail cameras and traditional spoor (footprint) tracking techniques, come and delve into the lives of the World’s largest land animal and one of Africa’s most endangered carnivore species.
ENVIRONMENT
The Mangetti Complex comprises two main areas;
• Kavango Cattle Ranch (KCR); a para-statal farm conglomerate administered by the Namibia Development Corporation (NDC) in the Kavango region of northern Namibia. This is a working cattle ranch with more than 17,000 head of cattle.
• Mangetti National Park (MNP); a protected wilderness area to the east which is
home to many native antelope and predator species.
In total, the study area comprises more than 2,000 km2 of north-eastern Kalahari woodlands and mixed acacia savannah. The vegetation is thick and dense allowing even the largest species of wildlife to easily remain undetected.
ACTIVITIES AT MANGETTI
• Camera Trapping
• GPS Tracking
• VHF telemetry tracking
• Spoor (footprint) tracking
• Conflict assessment
• Outreach
Please note:
The program at the Mangetti runs for at-least 7 nights starting every Wednesday. Two weeks or more are suggested to fully experience the Mangetti Project. Pre-bookings are recommended due to limited availability.
Research work can be combined with any safari extension. Please see the Namibia Safari sections for more information.
For more information contact the Namibia Vet Safari team at info@namibiavetsafaris.com