Lions Relocation to Etosha After Namibian Farmers Protest
Lions in Namibia are being relocated to the famed Etosha National Park after complaints by farmers the animals were a danger to their livestock and the local community.
The lions killed over 250 livestock in the Kunene area before being moved to the Erongo Mountain Rhino Sanctuary, according to an article in the Namibian. The Erongo Mountain Rhino Sanctuary is a private game reserve where animals can roam freely. There are farms in the area however, and the danger existed that a lion could encroach on a farmer’s land and get shot. One farmer claimed no government official consulted local farmers about the initial relocation, and residents were afraid to herd or enjoy nature in the area after the lions were introduced.
The relocation dispute highlights an issue facing many governments, as they attempt to balance conservation efforts and the accompanying tourism revenues with residents’ needs. Namibia has thus far been a success story in conservation. According to the WWF, the country, which gained independence from South Africa in 1990, has done an excellent job in protecting its wildlife. Big cats have increased in number and are seeking new hunting grounds, inevitably causing conflicts with farmers. According to published reports, lions have killed goats, sheep, a donkey, and even a farmer’s dog in attacks over the past few months. Farmers complained they were not fairly compensated for dead livestock by the government or not compensated at all.
The relocated lions will now have to compete with other hunters for prey at Etosha, a famed game reserve in the northern part of the country that is roughly 22,000 km in area. Etosha is known for its diverse wildlife and the huge salt pan, a dry lakebed that spans for miles. Zebra, wildebeest, gazelle, and other animals congregate at the park’s waterholes, and there are hundreds of bird species as well as leopards, lions, jackals, hyena, and other predators. Lucky safarists may even see the shy and elusive rhino.
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