Purros Conflict

Wednesday 27 January 2021

Rainfall

An influx of humidity and cloud buildup in the northwest of Namibia resulted in rain showers deep in the Northern Namib and along the Skeleton Coast. Rainfall in these hyper-arid areas are rare and will result in a change of the movement patterns and distribution of the antelope species, such as springbok and gemsbok.

Cloud cover during sunset over the Atlantic ocean

Rare images of rain along the coast in the Skeleton Coast National Park
Rare images of rain along the coast in the Skeleton Coast National Park Rare images of rain along the coast in the Skeleton Coast National Park
 

Rare images of rain along the coast in the Skeleton Coast National Park Rare images of rain along the coast in the Skeleton Coast National Park


Human-lion conflict at Leyland’s Drift

When the two Orphan lionesses arrived at the Hoaruseb river on 5 January 2021, they found a productive area rich in food resources. Large numbers of gemsbok were attracted to the water and green vegetation in the lower Hoaruseb river. Within 24 hours of the rain showers mentioned above, most of the prey animals vacated the ephemeral river in search of green pastures.

Two lionesses search for gemsbok between the dunes of the Hoaruseb river

Lionesses hunt gemsbok in the Hoaruseb river

During the night of 23 January 2021 the lionesses moved upriver and finding no prey animals along the riverbed, they reached Leyland’s drift at 04h00 on 24 January 2021. The Lion Rapid-response Team and Purros community rangers were ready to deter them from moving beyond Leyland’s Drift towards Purros, as was agreed on 17 January 2021 (see above). Unfortunately a small herd of livestock had sneaked past the guardians at Leyland’s Drift towards the west. The lionesses killed an adult cow 1km west of Leyland’s Drift. During the day the Purros Conservancy removed the fresh carcass of the cow and the lions were chased off.

Lioness on a ridge near Leyland’s Drift
Lioness on a ridge near Leyland’s Drift Purros HLC Desert Lion Conservation Namibia​

The Lion Rapid-response Team waited quietly nearby and when the lions returned at 01h00 on 25 January 2021, they deployed fireworks and other tactics to scare the lions away. The lions responded well to the fireworks and immediately vacated the area. They moved westwards and were inside the Skeleton Coast National Park by 05h00 (see map). The killing of a cow at Leyland’s Drift in the Hoaruseb river is a big setback. We are, however, still hopeful that through the fireworks the lions will form a negative association and learn to avoid moving beyond Leyland’s Drift. The Purros Conservancy, Okahirongo Elephant Lodge, Skeleton Coast Fly-in Safaris and Shipwreck Lodge are thanked for their assistance.

Fireworks used to scare lions away from livestock at Leyland’s Drift

Orphan lionesses moving westwards towards the mouth of the Hoaruseb river
Orphan lionesses moving westwards towards the mouth of the Hoaruseb river Purros HLC Desert Lion Conservation Namibia​ Orphan lionesses moving westwards towards the mouth of the Hoaruseb river Purros HLC Desert Lion Conservation Namibia

Vehicle problems

During the past few months the research vehicle that was sponsored by NAMSOV Community Trust in 2013 has developed numerous mechanical problems. A substantial amount of time was spent in the field repairing items such as broken U-bolts, brakes, alternator, solar power and the suspension.

Repairs and maintenance to the research vehicle
Repairs and maintenance to the research vehicle​ Repairs and maintenance to the research vehicle