Download Why we do what we do

WHY WE DO WHAT WE DO
QUESTION?
If someone was to pose the question “What is the greatest threat to wildlife?” most of us
would probably answer: Man.
And in that answer most of us would probably be fairly close to the truth. But if man is the
greatest threat to wildlife, then what does the rural African consider as one of his greatest
threats in trying to carve out a life for himself in deepest darkest Africa? Wildlife.
So it’s a conflict zone with each defending his own territory and occasionally making forays
into the other’s. Thus today the term “problem animal” is out and “Human wildlife conflict
(HWC)” is in. Although many animals can be said to cause HWC the major ones are the
large carnivores (lion, leopard, cheetah, hyaena, wild dog) and the elephant.
BACK GROUND
STOCK FARMERS: - Habitat loss is one of the largest threats to the cheetah and leopard
populations in Namibia. Livestock and game farms in Namibia number over 7000 and
spread over most of the country - the same areas where the majority of these animals exist.
The resulting conflict between these predators and farmers protecting their livelihood
reduces the natural habitat areas where the animals can safely exist.
GAME FARMERS: - With a shift in focus from cattle farming to a livelihood dependent on
game for tourism and/or hunting, there has been an increasing trend where the predation of
game has become the motivation behind the elimination of cheetahs and leopards. The
perceived “problem animals” who in the past were removed for preying on livestock, are
now also being captured for hunting one of their natural prey species.
General predator removal is often the “livestock-protection method” utilised by farmers who
view all predators as "problem animals" and cheetahs and leopards are trapped, poisoned
or shot on sight. In most cases an individual animal is responsible for stock losses and not the
species in general and this indiscriminate removal leads to the unnecessary elimination of
many innocent animals.
During the 1980’s and 90’s between 600 -1000 cheetahs were destroyed on an annual basis
by farmers and hunters, today that number apparently has been reduced to a reported 200
- 300 per year, but not enough research has been conducted to give reliable statistics – the
number could be higher?!
The three pillars of conservation, namely ministry, private sector and non-government
organisations have joined forces to work together, to increase awareness of the plight of the
cheetah and to find solutions to the conflicting interests of farmer and predator. Research
into cheetah numbers, distribution and behaviour, runs parallel with wildlife education for
children and workshops for newly emerging farmers on how to coexist with their wild
heritage.
OKONJIMA
Okonjima, Herero for "place of the baboon", is an extensive tract of land nestling amongst
the Omboroko Mountains some fifty kilometers south of the small town of Otjiwarongo.
Historically, the surrounding land would have been home to some of Africa’s finest wildlife,
today it is farmland. For the last 35 years Okonjima has been in the hands of the Hanssen
family. Today, nearly 20 years after Wayne, Donna & Rosalea Hanssen took over a cattle
farm from their father, the original farm has grown in size to 20 000 hectares, the cattle have
gone, grasslands are returning and the wildlife abounds.
The key to the Okonjima experience is The AfriCat Foundation, a non- profit organisation
dedicated to the conservation of Namibia’s large carnivores. With the cheetah, leopard
and lion as its flagship, the foundation works alongside the farming community, attempting
to help alleviate the livestock losses caused by predators. AfriCat is also home to orphaned,
injured and rehabilitated large carnivores.
To observe these magnificent animals in natural surroundings and to witness the
rehabilitation efforts to return them to the wild, provides the visitor with the chance to come
to know a little more about the story of Africa, its harmonies and its conflicts.
The wheel turns full circle as the traveller leaves Okonjima with the knowledge that through
his/her visit, he/she has laid yet another stone in the road to recovery for Africa’s carnivores.
HIGHLIGHTED TEXT
 The corner stone to success of conservation rests on that old adage "If it pays, it stays".
 Today in Namibia, a significant amount of the money which visitors spend during their
time in the country, finds its way back into the programmes which aid in the
conservation of the animals living there.
 Not only are his loss-costs covered, but also there are opportunities for his wife and
children to be employed, and when the lodge makes a profit, he receives a dividend
either as a cash hand-out or as a new school or health clinic.
This is the Namibia of today.