Namibia Wildlife Resorts - Etosha 100 Years

Local Owambo inhabitants described it as ‘bare place’, ‘great white place’ or ‘place of emptiness’. Early European travelers observed that vast herds of cattle grazed among zebra and springbok while the Hai//om people traded copper ore with surrounding peoples.

		It was said to require four days of wagon trekking from Okahakana north of present - day Okaukuejo to Namutoni - a distance of about 170 km. A traveler, McKiernan stated about his travels in the area in August 1876: “…all the menageries in the world turned loose would not compare to the sight I saw that day”.

As he traveled further northwards into what was probably the Andoni area, he saw wildlife is such abundance that he was moved to say: “… we fell in with immense numbers of animals beyond anything I had yet seen. I would scarcely be believed, if you should state that there were thousands of them to be seen as a sight.

Gnus in herds like the buffalo on the plains (viz of North America), hundreds of zebras, beautiful in their striped coats, springboks by tens of thousands, ostriches, gemsboks, steenbok, hartebeest and elands. Water and grass were plentiful and they seemed to be having an easy time of it…”

Namutoni and Okaukuejo German troops occupied Namutoni and Okaukuejo in 1896. The German Reich ordered them to
		shoot migrating wild animals in an attempt to curb the spread of the rindepest virus to cattle. A fort was built in 1889 on slightly elevated ground near the Namutoni spring. This was burnt in a battle in with neighbouring Owambos under King Nehale in 1904, and, the following year, it was replaced and later became a police station.

A fortified military post was established at Okaukuejo in 1901. Both these military outposts eventually fell into disuse despite periods of occupation by the South African Police. Finally, in 1955, Okaukuejo opened as a tourist rest camp, followed in 1957 by the reconstructed Namutoni Fort, which was subsequently declared a National Monument. In 1967 Halali Rest camp was taken into commission and the Okaukuejo rest camp enlarged.

Definition of Boundaries
The Governor of German South West Africa, Dr F von Lindequist, proclaimed Etosha as a game reserve on 22 March 1907 (Ordinance 88 of 1907). At first the reserve, encompassing a vast expanse from the Kunene and Hoarusib River mouths on the Skeleton Coast eastwards to Namutoni, was known simply as ‘Wildshutzgebiet Nr 2’. The area was about 80 000 km², making it then the largest wildlife reserve in the world. In 1958, Game Reserve Nr 2 became the Etosha Game Park and received the status of a National Park in 1967 by an Act of Parliament of the Republic of South Africa. Its size decreased to about 55 000 km² with different boundaries to those in 1907.

Ordinance 88 allowed private ownership of farms within Etosha’s boundaries and for trading rights on that land. One of these plots is still private property.

		During a severe drought in the 1960s, farmers gained emergency grazing rights for their livestock within Etosha when an eight to 16 km strip inside Etosha’s southern boundary was opened to farmers. An estimated 110 000 livestock grazed in the corridor under this provision.

The decision of the infamous Odendaal Commission cemented Etosha’s present boundary in 1970, reducing the park to 22 270 km². This deproclaimed 72 percent of the former area of Etosha and created a furore among conservationists nationally and internationally.

Initially, this made little impact on the movement of wild animals. The boundary consisted of survey points and later cleared firebreaks along some of the boundaries. White farmers erected farm fences on the southern boundary of Etosha during 1955-60. But an epidemic of foot-and-mouth disease during 1961 sparked the erection of a ‘game-proof’ fence as a veterinary measure along the eastern and southern borders of Etosha. It was 2,6 m high with 17 strands of smooth wire, reinforced by a 1,5 m wire mesh embedded on the ground. The park was completely enclosed by 850 km of fencing in 1973. The fence proved inadequate for warthog, lions and elephant and subsequently elephant-proof’ cable fortified 130 km of fence while electrified fencing strengthened other strategic sections.

Fauna of Etosha
The last herds of elephants were reportedly shot at Namutoni in 1881, while lions disappeared from the area until Lieutenant Adolf Fischer – the parks first game warden, recorded that he heard the roar of a lion again in 1912. The earliest census of large animals in South West Africa was undertaken in 1926, although results are questionable. But the park lay unnoticed between the First and Second world wars. In 1952, estimates of Burchell’s zebra were 10 000 - 15 000, wildebeest (7 000 - 10 000), springbok (5 000 - 7 000), gemsbok (800 - 1 200), kudu (600 - 800), eland (200 - 300), giraffe (100 -150), elephant (50 - 60), red hartebeest (40 - 50), ostrich (300) and lion (150). In 1953, Etosha appointed its first resident park warden, and the Nature Conservation section was created in 1955. About 3 000 eland migrated into the park from the east annually. Wildebeest were said to number between 25 000 and 30 000. The animals used to migrate from the plains north of the Park to feed on the western plains of Etosha. In the course of 1958/59 when the rainfall was insufficient to fill the natural pans, hundreds of these animals died of saltwater poisoning. They moved out of Etosha northwards to Angola and never returned. The number of wildebeest in the east gradually declined over the years, probably on account of increased predation, anthrax and competition with other plains animals which in turn were increasing in numbers. Numbers declined further as the fence was erected between 1961 and 1973. The premature drying up of the pan on two occasions had drastic results on the newly-bred flamingo chicks. During the first disaster in June 1969, 20 000 chicks ere caught by and released near Namutoni at Fischer’s Pan which still held water. On the second occasion in 1971 more than 30 000 fledglings guided by a few adult birds walked 80 km from their nests to the next open water.

During the mid-fifties, both to help the farms at Kamanjab where the elephants had been causing extensive damage on the farms and to increase the elephant population of Etosha, a chain of about 80 windmills was erected along the 19th latitude over a distance of 200 km to lure the elephants to the park. This plan worked and today there are about 1 500 elephant in Etosha.

Endemic black-faced impalas resident in Kunene Region were threatened by poaching, and, between 1969 and 1971, numbers of these animals were caught and taken to western Etosha for safekeeping. Some of these were returned to the Region in 2006 as communal area conservancies now have the capacity to care for and manage these animals.

Tourism
At Namutoni, the first tourists camped at the fountain where they were often forced to seek protection inside their vehicles when lions approached. In 1946, South African Railways organised the first coach tour to Etosha for the Easter weekend. 137 visitors traveled in open 10-ton trucks with two five tonners carrying their provisions.

		When Nature Conservation initiated a service for tourists in 1955, a total of 6 210 people visited Etosha that year. More artificial water points were constructed. About 165 000 tourists visited Etosha in 2005. Namibia Wildlife Resorts, established in 1998, is currently renovating all three resorts. The new-look facilities are expected to be operational by July 2007.

Research and Management:
1965 to 1974
A permanent Research Section under the Director of Nature Conservation and Tourism was created in Etosha in 1965. In the same year a nature conservation camp replaced the existing veterinary control post at Otjovasandu with the purpose of protecting the integrity of western Etosha. In the same period, Kaross and three other adjoining privately-owned farms were bought by the South West Africa Administration to form a rare animal enclosure adjacent to the main Park. The addition of the government-owned farm Khoabendes as a quarantine camp completed this phase of Etosha’s development.

Between 1966 and 1974, at least 1 635 animals, mainly zebra and wildebeest, died of anthrax. Other early research and conservation projects included an ecological study of the black rhinoceroses in Etosha and the adjacent Kaokoveld.

The translocation of threatened and endangered species was initiated in the late sixties. Game capturing techniques and drugs were still in an experimental stage but improved gradually until a special game capture unit was established. In 1970, a dramatic capture and airlift of 74 roan antelope to Etosha from Khaudum in the Kavango Region, where their existence was threatened, made game capture history.

1974 to 1990
The Etosha Ecological Institute opened in Okaukuejo in 1974. It heralded an era of adaptive management based on scientifically conducted research. The policy became one of proactively intervening to translocated, cull, burn and close or rotate artificial waterholes. Intensive management-related research ensued in this period, and a classification the vegetation, behavioural eco-physiological studies on wildebeest, populations dynamics of elephant, contraception, reproduction and demography of lions were among the major topics investigated. In the veterinary field, studies yielded progress in understanding anthrax.

		The severe drought which began in 1980 necessitated the capture, sale and culling of 2 235 Hartmann’s zebra and the capture of 450 Burchell’s zebra in western Etosha, making it the biggest single operation of it kind ever launched in southern Africa. In two separate operations related to this drought, a total of 525 elephants were culled in western Etosha. Their carcasses were processed at a field abattoir and transported by refrigerated vehicles to meat canning factories outside Etosha.

Successive aerial censuses of Etosha together with waterhole and ground counts showed conclusively that by 1987 some large herbivore species had declined drastically in numbers. Burchell’s zebra from 22 000 (1969) to 5 000, wildebeest from 25 000 (1954) to 2 600, gemsbok to 250. Others such as giraffe (1 400) and elephant (2 500) had increased significantly from historically low numbers to populations which were greater that the sustainable carrying capacity of Etosha in 1984. In contrast, opportunist predator-scavengers like lion fluctuated between 200 and 500 in the period 1978-87, when an average of 32 lions were shot annually as trespassers on adjoining farms.

1990 and beyond
A new Ministry was created by the newly independent Namibian Government in 1990. The Ministry of Wildlife, Conservation and Tourism later became the Ministry of Environment and Tourism. It is affiliated with the World Conservation Union (IUCN). The Ministry therefore recognises the objectives for nature conservation in the Etosha National Park as stated by the World Conservation Strategy, Category II, National Parks. Reaffirming the role and function of Etosha after Independence, the Ministry confirmed the integrity of the Park’s boundaries and pledged to follow a policy of sustainable use in all conservation areas under its protection. Accordingly, ‘sustainable use’ for Etosha means use of a population or ecosystem at a rate within its capacity for renewal in a manner compatible with conservation of the diversity and long term viability of the resource and its support ecosystems (IUCN 1992).

The first translocation of rhino to commercial farmland for the rhino custodian programme took place in 1993. In 1995, white rhino were introduced into Etosha from the Kruger National Park after almost a century of absence from the park.

		In 2001, the King Nehale Gate, located on the Andoni plains, was opened. In 2004, the Namibian Cabinet agreed to the establishment of a national park west of Etosha to re-connect Etosha and the Skeleton Coast Park assisted by a strong network of conservation-friendly communal area conservancies. Concurrence has been reached in principle by the Traditional Authorities, Kunene Regional Council and six conservancies for the establishment of a contractual park.

In 2006, Cabinet agreed to the purchase of neighbouring land for Hai//om to create two conservancies that will be supported by Etosha NP. One hundred years of conservation has resulted in the successful breeding of several species, to the extent that surplus animals can be translocated to areas with suitable habitat where current game numbers are low. This will aid local economies, particularly those of communal area conservancies. For example, in early 2007 a female rhino which had escaped from the park was captured and translocated to a neighbouring conservancy. Black-faced impala and oryx were caught in western Etosha during 2006 and returned to their historic ranges in two communal area conservancies in Kunene Region, effectively boosting local populations outside the park. Last year (2006) was one of the highest rainfall years on record, resulting in massive fires that swept through most of the park. There is greater focus on parks and neighbours and the MET has an active community-based Natural Resource Management (CBNRM) Programme in operation. The MET is developing a policy to deal with human wildlife conflict (HWC) management that is increasingly a concern for both communal and commercial farmers. The policy will address issues relating to conflict including damage to crops and water installations, as well as loss of human lives and livestock to predators. The first regional Human Wildlife Conflict Management plan with neighbouring Ehirovipuka Conservancy has already been approved. Local forums will be established for park-neighbour issues, particularly human wildlife conflict management. Plans are underway to introduce a new gate on the park boundary at Narawandu north of Okaukuejo, providing better access to tourists to northern regions and also enabling more Namibians to visit the park. Negotiations are being carried out to acquire the use of the former Oshivelo military airstrip, with a feasibility study planned to assess the potential of developing a new civilian small aircraft facility, serviced by guided tours into park, possibly requiring a new gate plus a shuttle service from the Oshivelo/King Nehale railway stop. This will increase tourism prospects for the north central regions and for the Hai//om community.

A new Vision for Park Management and Infrastructure Development
The MET hopes to move towards financial sustainability, introducing integrated budgeting for park management, with control over the budget devolved effectively to park level. A ‘Friends of Etosha’ is proposed, through which members of the public and visitors can actively support activities through financial or in-kind contributions to the park. Plans are underway to develop the first business plan for Etosha and an entirely new management plan.

The MET has developed a vision for improving Etosha’s infrastructure over a period of a few years. Some of this work is has already commenced. A road maintenance plan has been approved that aims to improve the condition of roads, encouraging the frequent grading of roads, particularly the main tourist roads.

Etosha is entirely fenced, which entails much maintenance and reconstruction of the northern boundary fence. Park-neighbour involvement in fence maintenance will become a reality with shared responsibility for fences.

		Information centres will be developed at each resort with specific themes being management and research, history and tourism. These centres will host different activities, including art exhibitions, films, cultural activities, oral histories and music. The historic fort at Namutoni is being renovated and will become a centre of commercial activity.

Attention will also be paid to improving conditions for all of our staff. MET offices will be improved to provide a suitable base for park management activities. Staff housing will be given greater attention while more investment will be made in staff through adequate training programmes. A new park-resident policy and guideline is to be developed and implemented jointly by MET and NWR which defines who may reside in the park, and the applicable code of conduct. In the words of the current Minister of environment and Tourism, Hon Rev Willem Konjore MP: “We can stand proud of our record of one hundred years of conservation, which is not only important to Namibia, but to global efforts to care for our resources, biodiversity and heritage, for both current and future generations.”