WILDLIFE POPULATION THRESHOLDS

Conservancy size = 773,100 ha.

To better visualise population numbers, imagine a 5000ha farm & calculate densities of the population for this farm by dividing the estimate by 155.

This gives a standard index - Numbers per 5000ha farm – which is easily to understand in practical terms.

Compare the density of what you have with the densities in the last column of the table above. If greater, then that species has reached its threshold & can be harvested at higher off-take rates.

RECOMMENDED HARVEST OFF-TAKE RATES

Off-take rates & types of off-take change as desired population densities are reached

# Only males will be hunted until desired population sizes are reached## Females may be harvested once desired population sizes have been reached

 

Before Desired

Population Size Reached

After Desired Population Size

Reached

Species Trophy (%)

Other use

(%)#

Trophy (%)

Other use (%)##

Baboon 2% - 2%  

Gemsbok 2% 3% 2% 15%

Jackal 10 /yr - 10 /yr -

Klipspringer 2% - 2% -

Kudu 2% 3% 2% 10%

Leopard 1 /yr - 1 /yr -

Ostrich 3% 5% 3% 10%

Springbok 2% 5% 3% 20%

Steenbok 2% 3% 2% 10%

Zebra 2% - 3% 8%

SPECIESAverage

population

(2005 – 2009)

Desired population

Density Index

(no./ 5000ha farm)

Baboon 300 1500 10

Cheetah 0 80 ½

Duiker 20 300 2

Gemsbok 20 6200 40

Hyaena b 0 ? 5

Jackal 200 300 2Klipspringer 60 300 2

Kudu 20 1500 10

Leopard 0 150 1

Springbok 9000 15000 100

Steenbok 1000 1500 10

Zebra ? 2000 13

Ostrich 80 2000 13

VISION

╪ Gaingu is a self sustaining conservancy that leads other conservancies in terms of finances, assets, awareness and employment based on the sustainable use of wildlife while ensuring the conservation of all natural resources and wildlife for the benefit of

present and future members.

ANNUAL WORK PLAN

1st Quarter

2nd Quarter

3rd Quarter

4th Quarter

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Law enforcement

Conduct foot patrols - campsites Conduct vehicle patrols - tourist roads Conduct vehicle & foot antipoaching patrols Conduct foot patrols of curio stalls Conduct vehicle patrols of mining/prospecting activities Enforce rehabilitation Gather intelligence & conduct ad hoc road blocks

Wildlife management - GeneralHold planning meeting - patrol routes & dates set up Hold planning meeting - reintroduction/translocation Train CGGs Veld monitoring

Wildlife utilisationConduct planning meeting - quota setting Meet MET for quota approval Advertise tender for trophy hunting & contract hunter Advertise tender for shoot & sell hunting Plan, train & conduct own-use hunting & distribute meat Allocate duties for ostrich farm hands Allocate duties for Hoodia (etc) farm hands Slaughter ostriches & process products Collect ostrich eggs Harvest farmed veld products Market farmed veld products

Monitoring - Game countsHold planning meeting - routes & dates set up Arrange logistics, identify participants, conduct training Conduct game count Update wildlife population trend charts

Monitoring - Event book system (EBS)Monitor activities rigorously using EBS Update wildlife population trend charts Conduct EBS audit Order new EBS materials

CommunicationsConduct monthly community meetings & display info Present Event Book annual report to AGM Give talks on wildlife value at schools & radio (NBC) Write proposals for funding for exchange visits Make exchange visits

╪GAINGU

OBJECTIVES: HOW TO ACHIEVE THEM:1 To maximise

benefits and minimize conflicts from a variety of land uses

Division of the conservancy into 7 zones selected by reconciling current land uses with habitats & community aspirations

2 To conserve wildlife and natural resources

Wildlife populations encouraged to increaseWildlife populations increased by translocation Veld condition manipulated by varying off-take Planting exotic and invasive plants removed

3 To produce real benefits for all conservancy members by sustainably utilizing wildlife and natural resources

Trophy, “shoot & sell”, “own-use” hunting & live-capture for sale permitted within annual quotasSelected members trained to hunt for meat for all & to accompany commercial huntsWhere necessary, hunting disallowed in selected areas or at certain times of the yearPopulations of small antelopes, birds & reptiles protected to provide a unique tourism attractionSuitable members & game guards trained to identify wild species for tourismOver-abundance & habitat damage prevented by culling or increased hunting off-takesDuring droughts, hunting quotas increased to reduce competition & the likelihood of die off. Species specific utilisation strategies determined & implementedWildlife & veld product farming (ostrich, Hoodia, Devil’s Claw etc) combined with intensive livestock breeding programmes in relevant zoneOstrich eggs harvested sustainably for jewelry & tourist curios; feathers, skins and meat processed & sold

4 To minimise human-wildlife conflict (baboons, predators, corn crickets)

Self-insurance schemesImprovement of livestock management practicesTraining members in livestock protection & prevention of predationBenefits from shooting problem animals returned to the conservancy (eg jackal skins etc). Where appropriate/feasible, problem animals sold to hunters or captured live for sale.The value of wildlife & reasons for conservation publicised.

5 To minimise illegal activities (poaching, Hoodia theft)

Law enforcement policies developed. Game guards trained to undertake patrols & road blocksThe feasibility of game guards becoming Peace Officers investigated. Benefits reduced/removed from members caught illegal activities more than once.Off-road driving not permitted. Exceptions only with permission & repairs. Approved tracks mapped & sign-posted.Contact details for police & MET disseminated to improve communications & obtain support for law enforcement.

6 To improve communications

Conservancy divided into management “nodes” each with a communications officer provided with a cell phone. Conservancy management issues discussed at sundry occasions (pension day, farmers’ association meetings, water point committee meetings, auction days etc)Community members informed regularly of detailed financial status of conservancyFunding sought by Conservancy Committee to establish a radio networkUseful phone numbers (MET, Police, Game Guards, Conservancy Committee etc) disseminatedAnnouncements made on radio (NBC) Village meetings with support of Regional Office of MET to inform members of activities & outcomesTalks will be held at schools, churches and school children will carry messagesExchange visits to other conservancies

7 To obtain appropriate information for management

A combination of monitoring techniques used:Event Book System (EBS)annual or biannual fixed road countsMET aerial surveys

Subjects for monitoring include rainfall, veld condition, wildlife population trends & condition, problem animal incidents, illegal activities & wildlife off-takes, monitored in the EBS

Supported by WWF Norway, Norad, ICEMA