…New data raises alarm over cheetahs, wild dogs and desert lions
By Staff Reporter
Namibia’s large carnivores are facing growing conservation pressure, with new population estimates showing that 11 of the country’s 34 terrestrial carnivore species are now classified as either threatened or near threatened.
The figures were presented at a national multi-stakeholder meeting in Windhoek on 7 August, convened by the Large Carnivore Management Association of Namibia (LCMAN) in cooperation with WWF Namibia.
The meeting brought together more than 40 conservationists, government officials, researchers, farmers, hunters and tourism representatives to discuss growing ecological threats and ways to reduce human-wildlife conflict.
Dr Tim Hofmann of the Cheetah Conservation Fund presented data showing that six carnivore species are considered threatened in Namibia, while another five are classified as near threatened.
Wild cats were identified as having the highest proportion of threatened species.
Namibia’s cheetah population is currently estimated at only about 1,200 animals, while African wildogs, classified as critically endangered in Namibia, are estimated at between 130 and 350 animals spread across roughly 35 packs.
Tracking data has also indicated a potential decline in the wild dog population.
The meeting further heard that only about 12 desert-adapted lions currently utilise the unique coastal habitat of the Skeleton Coast.
The figures have raised concerns about the future of Namibia’s large predators, particularly as human-wildlife conflict continues to place pressure on wildlife populations.
Conservationists emphasised the need for coordinated and reliable monitoring to understand population trends and identify emerging threats before they become more difficult to address.
Namibia is home to a diverse range of carnivores, including some of Africa’s most iconic predators. Their conservation is also closely linked to the country’s tourism industry, communal and commercial farming and broader wildlife economy.
The multi-stakeholder meeting therefore sought to bring together different sectors to find practical approaches to managing human-wildlife conflict while ensuring that predator populations remain viable.
The involvement of farmers, hunters and tourism operators was particularly important as large carnivores frequently move across different land-use areas, making their protection dependent on cooperation beyond formally protected areas.
The meeting also highlighted the importance of strengthening scientific research, population monitoring and information sharing among stakeholders.
For species such as cheetahs and wild dogs, whose populations are already relatively small, reliable data is critical for determining whether numbers are stable, increasing or declining.
The findings come as Namibia continues to position itself as a leader in wildlife conservation and community as e d natural resources management.
However, conservationists say the country’s success will increasingly depend on its ability to balance wildlife protection with the realities faced by communities and farmers living alongside predators.
The new figures therefore serve as a warning that Namibia’s conservation achievements cannot be taken for granted.
With some of the country’s most iconic predators now facing heightened conservation risks, stakeholders say stronger coordination and sustained monitoring will be essential to securing their future.
