Figure 26: Strategy for increasing roan, sable, tsessebe numbers

Existing Populations: Relocate existing roan, sable and tsessebe populations in protected areas where the average annual rainfall is less than 400mm to areas above the 400mm rainfall isohyet.

Use access animals to establish founder populations in areas above the 400mm rainfall isohyet.

Translocate any population of roan, sable and tsessebe which is not increasing at a growth rate greater than 5% or which does not show adequate performance to an area where conditions are more favourable for its increase.

Undertake annual surveys to monitor population numbers in collaboration with Botswana

Develop alternative monitoring systems.

Law enforcement: Improve manpower and operational budgets in the State Protected Areas to an adequate level;

Improve commitment within the conservancies towards increasing their wildlife populations;

Increase cooperation with police and other authorities in Caprivi and with neighbouring countries.

Develop monitoring system for law enforcement effort and illegal activity.

Disease: Monitor severity of outbreaks, handle as appropriate the incidence of disease and occurrence of parasites in roan, sable and tsessebe, without employing unnecessarily intrusive methods.

Take blood samples and inspect animals during translocations.

Implementation of fencing to protect roan, sable and tsessebe from livestock diseases could result in further reductions in the available range.

Public and political support;

Coordination and collaboration with communities neighboring parks in the Caprivi;

Full devolution of authority for the species to the landholders;

Adequate monitoring systems in place

Transboundary cooperation;