SKEP: Brown hyena project

Inventory, mapping and increased awareness of brown hyena and other large predators in the Sperrgebiet and surroundings

The Brown Hyena Research Project (BHRP) aims at determining the behaviour and population dynamics of Brown Hyenas, and implications for their long-term conservation within the diamond mining area in the southern coastal Namib Desert (Sperrgebiet). The project uses camera traps to obtain information about changes in population size and movements in other inland areas.

Aims

To establish the brown hyena population size and density in the Sperrgebiet;
To obtain information about brown hyenas' habitat use and movement patterns;
To raise awareness about brown hyena ecology and behaviour.

The Brown Hyena Research Project based in Lüderitz undertook a questionnaire-based study to obtain information on large predators occurring on farms in the succulent karoo. The project also visited schools and displayed information in the Environmental Information Centre in Lüderitz.

Target Area

Sperrgebiet

Background

In April 2004, Cabinet approved the declaration of Sperrgebiet as a National Park. The southern region of Namibia is currently underrepresented regarding conservation of large predators, and in tourism developments. The Brown Hyena can serve as a flagship species which can be used to draw attention to this unique area, and eco-tourism activities can be planned and promoted to observe this cryptic species in its natural environment. Thus, communities neighbouring the Park can benefit from tourism through job creation and this project can provide a win-win situation for both conservation and tourism development in the area.

Progress Reports

Newsletters and progress reports can be downloaded from Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund.

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