Protecting the lions of Northern Botswana
Written by Kadizora Camp
CLAWS (Communities Living Amongst Wildlife Sustainability) is an NGO founded by Dr Andrew Stein, based in the village of Seronga 30km from the camp.
CLAWS collaborates with local communities to develop innovative approaches to promote human-wildlife co existence.Kadizora Camp supports the efforts of the CLAWS Delta Research Centre and has seen the improvements they have implemented to reduce human-wildlife conflict.
Lions are an icon of the Africa savanna, yet recent surveys show drastic declines in their populations across the continent. As human populations expand, the range of lions and their prey have declined, leaving remnant, isolated populations with increased risk of inbreeding.
In Southern Africa, one large continuous population still roams across the Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA), an area which expands across five countries and multiple land use systems. This area encompasses the Okavango Delta.
though lions are present, that does not mean that they are safe.
Lions are an icon of the Africa savanna, yet recent surveys show drastic declines in their populations across the continent. People fear living with lions and potential losses to livestock. As human populations expand, the range of lions and their prey have declined, leaving remnant, isolated populations with increased risk of inbreeding.
In southern Africa, one large continuous population still roams across the Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA), an area which expands across five countries and multiple land use systems.
Northern Botswana is located at the heart of KAZA, where lion populations show resilience in the face of high persecution.
As unattended livestock wander the landscape they cause overgrazing, erosion and desertification while predators get an easy meal. Claws Conservancy are implementing the traditional herder to reverse the impacts of overgrazing, reduce lion conflict and build capacity.
In Eretsha Village, they have formed the first communal herd in Botswana including more than 80% of the village cattle (>1,000 head) and formed a community committee that creates rotational grazing plans and monitors the results. They’ve also hired 6 certified herders (and their magnificent dogs) to monitor livestock health and protect against predator attack.
With a herd of 740 cattle so far, it’s a lot of work for our 6 herders to manage but they are doing extremely well. Herding is key to environmental health of this ecosystem and also protects livestock from lion attack. Our herders have literally chased lions away from the cattle!
Images: Collaring & tracking lion
Previously, the villagers would try to poison the lions to avoid them from coming after their livestock. This resulted in a great loss of the local lion population and ended up poisoning other animals as well. Now, when we collar a new lion, the villagers name it, we track its movements and alert the locals if they are coming close to the village. This way, safe yet effective tactics can be used to protect livestock and deter lions – without damage.
Our kraal team: Raps, Kenneth, Stallen and Pro
CLAWS core team: Dr. Florian Weise, Pro Tomeletso, and Dr. Andrew Stein
To learn more or to donate to this important program, please visit CLAWS.
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