Details of Grants made by PCT: March 2007 September 2007 October 2007 September 2008 May 2009 February 2010 September 2010 September 2011
2012 Progress reports:
Progress reports from other years: 2007 , 2008 , 2009 , 2010 , 2011 ,
Spotted hyaenas are the most abundant large carnivore in sub-Saharan Africa occurring in a wide range of habitats. However their range, especially in southern Africa has become drastically reduced in this century. This reduction in the number and distribution of spotted hyaenas has been accelerating as human population increases resulting in an increase in conflict with human development. This problem is accentuated in areas of high density, such as the Caprivi and Kavango Regions.
The future for spotted hyaenas outside protected areas remains precarious. They are formidable livestock killers and are actively persecuted. Hyaena social structure is complex and the removal of a number of key individuals is likely to lead to the breakdown of the social group. Once a spotted hyaena social group has disappeared, it is difficult to repopulate the area. The spotted hyaena is unable to inhabit agricultural areas successfully and its future is tied to the long-term future of conservation areas.
Most Namibians depend on the land for their subsistence, but the present of many species of large mammals, combined with settlement patterns of people, leads to conflict between people and wildlife. Large carnivores occur throughout the Caprivi and Kavango Regions and frequently cross international borders. Their population dynamics, movements and conservation status are poorly understood despite ongoing conflict with local people. In the Caprivi Region between 1996 and 2001, 246 predator incidents were reported, resulting in the death of 694 livestock equivalents. As the number of communal conservancies increased so has the systematic reporting of problem animal incidents through the event book system highlighting that previous reports on livestock damage were most likely under reported. Event book records show that between 2001 and 2006 some 2766 large carnivore incidents were reported of which 1401 were of spotted hyaenas, resulting in damage to 3125 livestock equivalents.
Whether problem causing hyaenas are resident within the communal area or originate from the park is unknown. Human – wildlife Conflict (HWC) is an issue of pressing conservation concern particularly when it involves threatened species, and accurately identifying the causes of such conflict is fundamental to developing effective resolution strategies. Long-term conservation of spotted hyaenas in the Caprivi and Kavango depends on their persistence in protected areas like Bwabwata National Park and in resolving human-wildlife conflict with the communities on the periphery.
Hyaenas are unique and vital components of most African ecosystems and understanding the mechanisms that regulate or limit their population should be taken into consideration when developing management plans for protected areas. For example, in a study in Etosha National Park, 71% of hyaena mortality was due to lions. Diseases in spotted hyaenas may play an important role as a limiting factor in populations inside protected areas. Blood samples taken from spotted hyaenas throughout their range have tested positive for antibodies for a wide range of viral diseases including rabies and anthrax. There is some evidence that rabies may depress the southern Kalahari population and in the Serengeti, cubs under the age of six months succumbed to the 1993 canine distemper outbreak There is little data from the Namibian population and none from the Caprivi Region. Additionally, Spotted hyaenas have a substantial effect on less abundant prey species or the establishment of new species in protected areas and can even effect other carnivore populations.
Home range sizes and densities in spotted hyaenas vary considerably in
different habitats. In Etosha National Park, Hyaena home ranges of up to 360 km2
have been recorded. No study of spotted hyaenas has yet been undertaken in the
Caprivi Region, but it is likely that home ranges fall across international
boundaries which could have strong implications in trans-boundary conservation
strategies
Problem causing animals are and always will remain a challenge in Africa
wherever people and wildlife live together. Sound ecological data, such as
reliable population estimate, distribution and population demography are crucial
in the implementation of conservation strategies and conflict resolution.
The intensive study area focusing on population ecology of spotted hyaenas will fall within the Bwabwata National Park with particular focus on the core conservation areas of Susuwe and Buffalo. This area is 32 km wide and 190 km long and covers approximately 6000 km2. It stretches from the Kavango River in the west to the Kwando River in the east and is bordered by Angola in the north and Botswana in the south. Bwabwata national park does not appear on any maps as it is in the process of being made a National Park. It will be made up of two parts - the main part is what is currently the Caprivi Game Reserve, and the second part is the Mahango National Park. This area will also form a key part of the proposed Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier park which will create a single park that includes areas of Namibia, Angola, Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
The extensive study area focusing on land use practices and human-wildlife conflict will fall within the human settlement areas of the Caprivi, i.e. communities within the Kyaramacan Association of the west Caprivi and the conservancies of the east Caprivi. It covers an area of approximately 20 000 km2 of which the majority falls within Kalahari woodland land type and has an mean annual rainfall of 550 mm.
1. Demography, land use characteristics, social structure and limiting factors
Spotted hyaenas will be immobilized with Zoletil and fitted with GPS and VHF collars as well as visual collars. At least two high ranking individuals in each clan will be collared with GPS collars due to the probability of clans moving across international borders and to establish the land use characteristics of the clan. Two additional individuals in each clan will be radio collared with particular attention to emigrating males in order to monitor their daily activities and movements outside the protected area. Radio collared hyaenas will be located regularly by aircraft followed by ground observations to record group composition.
Visual collars will be placed on additional hyaenas living close to the boundaries of the conservation area so as to assist with identification should they move out into communal and livestock farming areas or are killed as problem animals.
Clan structure will be studied by individual identification through recognition spot patterns, scars and natural ear notches when monitoring communal den sites with individuals considered to be clan members with repeated visits to the den.
2. Genetic status and disease
Blood samples will be taken from all collared hyaenas and in collaboration with Dr Michael Briggs of African Predator Conservation Research Organisation (APCRO) and Dr Jean DuBach of Brookfield Zoo will be analysed for a wide range of viral antibodies. DNA analyses will be done to establish genetic diversity and viability of the hyaena population.. In addition, blood samples will be sent to Dr Mike Pierce in the United Kingdom to be analysed for blood parasites.
The trophy hunting concession holders have agreed to allow post mortems of trophy hunted species. These samples along with post mortem samples of carnivores killed in conflict by the community will be analysed for infectious disease by Dr Mike Kinsel of Illinois University.
External parasites will be collected and sent to veterinarian Dr Kathy Alexander for identification and to establish their role as potential disease vectors.
3. Human Wildlife Conflict
A survey will be conducted to assess the animal husbandry methods used throughout the communities of the caprivi with particular attention to kraal construction and vigilance of livestock owners. Where possible, losses will be followed up in order to establish the species of problem animals and compare these to perceptions of the community. In collaboration with the community, livestock protection methods will be improved and implemented.
4. Community Training
Individuals from communities falling under the Kyaramacan Association will be identified and trained in research field techniques. These will include taking post mortem samples and techniques in radio telemetry for the ongoing monitoring of large carnivore population as well as wildlife diseases within the Caprivi Region.
In March 2007 the Trustees of the Predator Conservation Trust made a grant to Lise Hanssen to fund a field trip for her to do the preliminary surveys and meetings necessary to prepare her application for a research permit to study large carnivores in the Caprivi region. Read Lise's report on the resulting field trip.
In late September 2007, the Trustees of the Predator Conservation Trust received a request for funding from Lise Hanssen for the Caprivi Carnivore Project. After evaluating the proposal, the Trustees approved funding for the project. The funding will cover a number of items essential for the project to get fully up and running. The main item is a dart gun (plus darts) for use in tranquilising animals to allow collars to be fitted and blood samples taken. Also covered by the grant are a number of items of medical and veterinary supplies including the animal tranquiliser Zoletil which will be used when darting the Spotted Hyenas being studied, visual identification collars, fuel and various other items.
In October 2007, PCT received a donation of a digital SLR camera plus lenses and a flashgun along with a number of reference books, research papers and other equipment for Lise Hanssen’s project. PCT Trustee Anthony May was travelling to Namibia on holiday in October and delivered them to Lise in Windhoek.
In September 2008, PCT received a donation of a video camera along with a number of reference books, research papers and other equipment for Lise Hanssen’s project. PCT Trustee Anthony May was travelling to Namibia on holiday in September and delivered them to Lise in the Caprivi.
In May 2009, PCT made a further grant to Lise Hanssen. The grant was for £2000 and was to cover a VHF signal boosting device for the receiver to increase the chances of locating collared Hyenas. The grant also covered camping fees, purchase of meat for bait, tranquiliser darts, Zoletil (a veterinary tranquiliser), as well as fuel and repairs for Lise's vehicle which takes a severe battering when driving off road in the project area. The Trustees are pleased to be able to support Lise Hanssen and her valuable work.
In February 2010, following Lise Hanssen's visit to the UK in late 2009, the Trustees were pleased to be able to make a grant to Lise's Caprivi Carnivore Project. The grant was for £1900 and is already being well-spent on keeping the project running.
Following the total failure of Lise Hanssen's laptop, which is used to run the project, the Trustees of The Predator Conservation Trust were happy to be able to provide a replacement laptop. By purchasing a replacement in the UK which was then taken out to Namibia by two Trustees who were visiting Namibia on holiday, a replacement was sourced at a lower price than if it had been purchased in Namibia.
In September 2011, the Trustees were pleased to provide funding for a
refrigerator for the project vehicle. This allows blood samples to be
stored properly when taken in areas away from the project base camp.
Provision of a second battery means the refrigerator will not run down the
normal battery, and also allows lighting to be provided which makes working on
immobilised animals at night easier and safer.
© Predator Conservation Trust.
