The Namibian Leopard: National Census and Sustainable Hunting Practices
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
THE NAMIBIAN LEOPARD: NATIONAL CENSUS AND SUSTAINABLE HUNTING PRACTICES In Cooperation with The Ministry of Environment and Tourism Study Report Conducted by Dr. Louisa Richmond-Coggan, LRC Wildlife Conservation 31st March 2019 Acknowledgments This study was undertaken on behalf of the Namibian Professional Hunting Association (NAPHA) and the Ministry of Environment and Tourism (MET), both of which were committed to the need for an update on the status of Namibia’s leopard population. NAPHA President, Danene van der Westhuyzen, and CEO, Tanya Dahl, along with the EXCO, leopard committee and administration staff helped to facilitate the smooth running of the study. Thanks go to MET Deputy Director of Scientific Services, Kenneth Uiseb, along with Iifo Fillemon, Holger Kolberg and Oiva Akudhenga and the staff of the permit office for allowing access to key data and providing insights into complex Ministry processes. Many other people and organisations contributed to the successful completion of this study and we would like to thank you all; Additional specialised analysis was conducted by Dr. Vera De Cauwer (Namibia University of Science and Technology), Oliver Baines and Alice Jarvis (EIS). Dr. Chris Brown (Namibian Chamber of Environment), Dr. Morgan Hauptfleisch (Namibia University of Science and Technology) and Angus Middleton (Namibia Nature Foundation) provided invaluable guidance and support throughout. The Large Carnivore Management Association of Namibia members were instrumental in the collection of leopard presence and density data from across Namibia. The Namibia Agricultural Union and their local farmer associations, the Conservancy Association of Namibia, the Hospitality Association of Namibia and Wildlife Game Ranches for their assistance raising the study’s profile among their members and collecting questionnaire data on behalf of the study. Dr. Ingrid Wiesel (Brown Hyaena Research Project) provided the raw data for the Namib- Naukluft and Tsau//Khaeb National Parks. Kate Vanelli for her assistance during the Auas Mountains field research and Brave Natanael for collating MET problem animal records. AGRA, the Windhoek Livestock Auctioneers and the Namboer Auctioneers for allowing research to be conducted at their stores and auctions. Over the course of the study the hospitality and friendship of the farming associations and wider communities was greatly appreciated. Several individuals in particular allowed us stay on their properties for extended periods of time. Without the generosity of Tanya Beyer and Klaus Rush, Andreas and Theresia Haag and the Wilckens family the fieldwork would not have been possible. We would also like to thank all the landowners across Namibia who allowed camera traps to be placed upon their properties and took the time to accompany us during pre-surveying and imparting invaluable local knowledge. This research was conducted in accordance with the National Commission on Research Science and Technology guidelines and under the permit number RCIV00042818. Study Sponsors Table of Contents 1. Executive Summary ............................................................................................................... 1 2. Introduction ............................................................................................................................ 5 2.1. Background to the Study ................................................................................................. 5 2.1.1. Carnivore Conservation ............................................................................................ 5 2.1.2. Carnivore Ecology .................................................................................................... 7 2.2. African Leopard Conservation and Sustainable Use....................................................... 9 2.2.1. Overview .................................................................................................................. 9 2.2.2. Human-Leopard Conflict ........................................................................................ 18 2.2.2. Sustainable Use....................................................................................................... 20 2.3. Study Scope ................................................................................................................... 25 2.4. Study Objectives ........................................................................................................... 26 2.4.1. Objective 1 - Leopard Population ........................................................................... 26 2.4.2. Objective 2 - Human-Leopard Conflict .................................................................. 26 2.4.3. Objective 3 - Sustainable Hunting of Leopard ....................................................... 27 2.5. Study Outcomes ............................................................................................................ 27 2.5.1. Leopard Population and Human-Leopard Conflict ................................................ 27 2.5.2. Sustainable Hunting of Leopard ............................................................................. 28 3. Methodology ........................................................................................................................ 28 3.1. Survey Areas ................................................................................................................. 28 3.1.1. National Survey Area ............................................................................................. 28 3.1.2. Camera Trap Survey Areas..................................................................................... 29 3.2. Characteristics of the Leopard Population .................................................................... 30 3.2.1. Density and Population Structure ........................................................................... 30 3.2.2. Habitat Suitability ................................................................................................... 35 3.2.3. National Population Size ........................................................................................ 37 3.2.4. Activity Patterns ..................................................................................................... 40 3.3. Human-Leopard Conflict .............................................................................................. 40 3.3.1. National Questionnaire ........................................................................................... 40 3.3.2. Ministry of Environment and Tourism Records ..................................................... 44 3.3.3. Communal Conservancies ...................................................................................... 45 3.4. Leopard Hunting in Namibia......................................................................................... 45 i 3.5. Assumptions and Limitations ........................................................................................ 46 4. Results .............................................................................................................................. 47 4.1. Results Summary Table ............................................................................................. 47 4.2. Characteristics of the Leopard Population .................................................................... 48 4.2.1. Density and Population Structure ........................................................................... 48 4.2.2. Habitat Suitability ................................................................................................... 52 4.2.3. National Population ................................................................................................ 53 4.3. Human-Leopard Conflict .............................................................................................. 61 4.3.1. National Questionnaire ........................................................................................... 61 4.5.2. The Ministry of Environment and Tourism Problem Animal Records .................. 70 4.5.3. Communal Conservancies ...................................................................................... 72 4.4. Leopard Hunting in Namibia......................................................................................... 73 4.4.1. Trophy Hunts .......................................................................................................... 73 4.4.2. Leopard Sex ............................................................................................................ 78 4.4.3. Leopard Age ........................................................................................................... 84 4.4.4. Hunt Effort .............................................................................................................. 85 4.4.5. Trophy Size............................................................................................................. 90 4.4.6. Activity Patterns ..................................................................................................... 98 4.4.7. Trophy Hunting Quota Allocation ........................................................................ 101 5. Discussion and Conclusions .............................................................................................. 103 5.1. Trends in Leopard Numbers ........................................................................................ 103 5.2. Hunting Sustainability