Human Impacts on Cheetah Conservation in Namibia
Habitat conservation is extremely complex and many different requirements must be taken into account for each species. A healthy habitat acts as a way of maintaining viable populations, and many scientists agree that sustaining healthy habitats is likely to be the most cost-effective and efficient plan for species that have large area requirements such as the cheetah.
Namibia, in the Southern region of Africa, holds a significant proportion of the global population of cheetahs. This large proportion of cheetahs is under threat as a result of conflict with human development and increased land use. Cheetahs face threats from humans largely through habitat loss, and as human-cheetah conflict is only increasing, the importance of habitat conservation is becoming a vital issue.
Most people wouldn’t know this, but in Namibia, cheetahs have historically been viewed as a nuisance. Throughout history, the cheetah had a range that covered 38 African countries as well as parts within the Middle East and India. Over the past 100 years, there has been a severe decline in the number of cheetahs in the wild as well as the amount of viable habitat for this species. There may not be a noticeable effect in the short term with the decline of this species, but in the long term, the entire ecosystem will be in distress. The consequences may not be understood until it is too late.
1) Detrimental effects of humans on the cheetah and their natural habitat.
Namibian cheetahs have undergone elevated levels of killing due to conflict with the expanding local community. The reason for such drastic decline in the number of cheetahs is due to habitat loss and persecution, all a result of human conflict with this species. Within Namibia, about 90% of cheetahs are found outside of protected areas and throughout commercial farmlands where competition is minimal, but this brings them into direct confrontation with farmers. Farmers see the cheetah as a direct danger to their livestock, but cheetahs are only responsible for around 3% of the livestock losses to predators.
Farmlands provide quite favorable ecological environments for cheetahs because there is less competition, a larger prey base, as the majority of free-ranging ungulates are on commercial farmlands, and abundant water sources. Additionally, cheetahs are reasonably social felids and will often occur in groups. Farmers leave multiple traps out after catching a cheetah on or near their property to ensure that all members of any social group are caught.
Pressure on this species is only intensifying as humans continue development and the number of farms increase. There is a strong need for more education on alternative methods. Instead of killing cheetahs, farmers could improve the ways the methods they use to protect their livestock, which have been proven to be more effective in preventing livestock loss than indiscriminate predator removal. For cheetahs to maintain a sustainable population, habitat conservation is vital in preserving the longevity of this species. The levels of conservation awareness and relevance among the local people must increase as a fundamental step in protecting the habitat that the cheetah needs to survive.
2) Positive impact of humans on cheetah habitat conservation.
For a plan to be successful, a precise understanding of the reasons for conflict and relationship between the cheetah and humans must be found. Exploring the reasons why cheetahs prefer to habituate outside of protected areas is key for the survival of cheetahs in Namibia. During a study published in 2003, researchers spent time in the field tagging cheetahs with radio collars. They showed this to be controversial because of the invasive handling involved, but also pointed out that the collars may have been a deterrent to farmers that would have otherwise killed the cheetah. Some may view this research as futile because it may not affect the farmers or inspire change, but it offers valuable information about how the cheetah uses habitat in Namibia.
Scientists are quickly realizing that relying on the preservation of large, connected zones of immaculate habitat within human-dominated landscapes is increasingly unrealistic for the wide-ranging cheetah. Many point out that conservation must be focused on smaller, remote habitat areas in order to improve protection. This would allow for the focus to conserve habitat as the main idea and within that idea the species are also benefited. Research studies like this are a positive step in making farmers and community members aware of this species and its habitat as a focal point and also a step toward inspiring conservation.
The Cheetah Conservation Fund in Namibia offers many effective methods to help the community and farmers alike in dealing with the cheetah and its wild habitat. For example, they developed a livestock guarding dog program, using the Anatolian Shepherd, and this has made a significant impact on the loss of livestock. A majority of the farms that utilized a dog reported no losses with this protection method. These “guard dogs” have been one of the most effective livestock protection methods and should be increasingly developed in Namibia.
Public education is increasing through different local and international organizations focusing on the cheetah and its habitat in Namibia. In South Africa, cheetah ambassadors are being used to expand education and change the attitudes of young students. Educators have adapted their curriculums to incorporate the cheetah as a learning tool. In reality, the survival of the cheetah is in the hands of almost 1,000 commercial farmers and their inclination to incorporate habitat conservation efforts into farm management, so education will play a vital role. Without human involvement, this species would be on a quick path to extinction. Although humans are the reason cheetahs are currently facing these issues, we are also the reason the prognosis for the cheetah has the possibility to look up. With continued efforts on understanding habitat and ecosystem needs for this species, conservation efforts will continue to improve.
A balance between the economic needs of the people and the survival of the species needs to be supported. The most important path to follow would be to ensure the local community sees the benefit of cheetahs in Namibia in regards to the local economy as well as the health of the ecosystem. If this is understood, crucial habitat can be protected and even shared. Implementing education programs and economic incentives for habitat conservation will be vital for this species. With the majority of cheetahs found outside protected areas, the preservation of biodiversity on farmlands and the use of thorough management strategies are fundamental to habitat conservation efforts and minimizing human-cheetah conflict. A better understanding of cheetah habitat use could be used to directly impact habitat management strategies and conflict mitigation efforts.
Conservation initiatives are ongoing, but as always, increased support and resources are essential. Collaboration between farmers and scientists, as well as regions, would be extremely beneficial in finding a way to decrease the threat of habitat loss and increase protection for this species. Future research could include in depth studies on cheetah habitat use and the effects farmers in Namibia have on this species. Establishing ways to protect additional habitat for the cheetah outside of currently protected areas would be the first step in moving forward. Altogether, this is a controversial and complex topic that can only experience progress if humans work together to minimize the harmful effects on habitats and focus on positive impacts of conservation.
References
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