News
Closing of a challenging year
Friday 25 December 2020
The year 2020 has by all accounts been a disruptive and challenging period for humans. The collapse of the tourism industry in the northwest of Namibia had a severe impact on the community based conservation efforts and the income that local communities derive from tourism. Wildlife conservation efforts have also suffered due to a lack of funding and ongoing support the the tourism industry provided. ..read more >>
Early rains
Friday 20 November 2020
The Northern Namib witnessed the first rainfall of the season. Thunderstorms and showers in the Sesfontein/Opuwo areas resulted in a flash flood of the Hoanib river that extended to the border of the Skeleton Coast National Park. ..read more >>
Vehicle problems
Saturday 31 October 2020
The current research vehicle is celebrating its seventh year of relentless work in the harsh conditions with regular mechanical breakdowns. ..read more >>
Brave seal pup
Wednesday 21 October 2020
An important lioness has died of natural causes at the age of 14 years. Born during the month of November 2006 the lioness lived in the southern section of the study area covering a home range of 5,000 km2. Her significant lifetime reproductive success contributed to the expansion and re-population of lions to the southern ephemeral river systems ..read more >>
Coastal Movements
Sunday 27 September 2020
Since the recovery of the lion population and their return to utilising the coastal habitat along the Skeleton Coast in 2002, their movements have been restricted to the areas close to the ephemeral river outlets. Lions from four distinct prides utilise the coastal zone and the prides are each associated with one of the four major ephemeral rivers. ..read more >>
A change in the seasons
Tuesday 1 September 2020
Off-road driving that result mainly from uncontrolled tourism and uninformed 4x4 enthusiasts is a major problem in the spectacular and sensitive habitats of the Northern Namib. ..read more >>
More Covid Chronicles
Wednesday 12 August 2020
The Covid Chronicles production team joined Desert Lion Conservation Trust again in the Hoanib area to document the ongoing monitoring of the lion population and fitting of Early warning radio collars. ..read more >>
Attribute to the Hoanib lioness Xpl-69
Monday 10 August 2020
World Lion Day - Attribute to the Hoanib lioness Xpl-69 by Christa and Martin Handl from Namibia ..read more >>
Central & Southern Prides
Saturday 1 August 2020
Desolation Valley The extreme weather conditions continued as the Huab River and surrounding area were surveyed for lion activities. Four days were invested to search for resident lions amid strong winds and dust storms. ..read more >>
Extreme weather
Friday 24 July 2020
The Northern Namib experienced a prolonged period of heat, easterly winds and sandstorms that lasted for days on end. Working under theses conditions has been challenging and exhausting. Even the desert-adapted wildlife species appeared to struggle with the ongoing harsh conditions. Most of the grasses and herbs that germinated after the late rains in April/May 2020 were scorched by the heat and sandstorms. ..read more >>
