ENQUIRIES AS TO THE DESTRUCTION OF MALE LION XPL 131-SESFONTEIN CONSERVANCY MARCH/APRIL 2022

DeLHRA is a Voluntary Association acting in terms of agreements with and in the best interests of Conservancies affected specifically by Human Desert Adapted Lion Conflict, of which Sesfontein, amongst four others are included. We are recognized stakeholders and as such enjoy legal standing.

We herewith wish to take the liberty as such in response to the public invitation by the honorable Minister Pohamba Shifeta, to engage, in order to possibly assist (instead of criticizing) by coming up with alternate solutions regarding Human Lion Conflict in the Conservancies. In order to find effective alternatives, we would need to understand and thus assess the current status quo regarding limitations, possible flaws and shortcomings in the current efforts to satisfactorily address Human Lion Conflict, hence herewith respectfully request your indulgence and assistance in the matter.

Here are the questions we have:

1) Is there a certain prescribed, mandatory protocol or format to be followed within the constraints of the National HWC Policy 2018-2027, when a Conservancy wishes to request the destruction of a Problem Animal? Does the MEFT, for instance, require a written application endorsed by the Chairperson acting as (thus declaring being) fully authorized representative of its management body in which the justification is motivated? Also, does the MEFT consequently ascertain the validity of the justification/motivation given by the Conservancy requesting the destruction before the issuance of a Permit to do so and if so, how? Could you kindly provide details on this?

2) Does the MEFT, after acceptance of the application by the Conservancy to destroy a Problem Animal, consult with and request recommendations by the relevant Researcher/s active in the area (and maybe their Peers) specific to the Animal alleged to be a Problem Animal and if so, is this done in writing as a formal protocol and considered against the Conservation/survival status of the species and the ecological balance or consequential Environmental Impact in the area affected? If so, could we kindly be afforded copies of these reports pertaining to this specific case and if such recommendations in writing do not exist, may we respectfully enquire as to why not?

3) Regarding the determination of the status of the Animal to be destroyed in terms of the National HWC Policy, repeat offences and clear identification need to be distinguished as pre-requisites. Since the Conservancies record all HWC related incidences in a Register, I was told telephonically by you that these Registers will indeed reflect the claim made by the Conservancies that the Lion to be destroyed in the application had indeed killed 12 Donkeys, 13 Donkeys and 9 Goats since 2019. May we respectfully request copies of these Incidence Report entries into the Register/s corroborating the incidents as per the MEFT’s publication in its Press Release?

4) Regarding the efforts made by the NGOs in collaboration with the MEFT 24/7 as published, to mitigate, prevent and manage Human Lion Conflict we wish to enquire as to, firstly whether the Rapid Response vehicles and Lion Rangers (Personal portable tracking devices) are equipped with effective tracking devices able to render clear, recorded reports on the vehicle’s and Rangers positions and routes travelled which can be plotted against the time-lines of positions and movements of the Lions equipped with Satellite collars in order to monitor efficiency? If so, may we again respectfully request access to same pertaining to this specific incident? If not, are there any reasons as to why not?

5) Regarding the ideal to pre-empt marauding or, threats by Lions, may we enquire as to how the Rapid Response teams are equipped? Do they for instance have the use of Radio Tracking devices like Radio Telemetry to assist them with the tracking of these Lions? Do they have NVG (Night Vision Goggles)? Are they equipped with Satellite phones and/or any means to access the positions of the Satellite collars fitted to Lions via the internet? Also, do these Response Units submit a report as a discipline after responding to all Geofence breaches or call outs?

6) We note that it has been publicized by the MEFT that the Lion known as XPL 131 that had been shot as a Problem Animal converted into a Trophy Hunt, had been “terrorizing People since 2019” and that it had been “desensitized” towards Humans which had led to it threatening Humans whilst showing no natural fear towards Humans. Were these specific incidents (one would assume so?) recorded in the Registers as well and are there statements on record to this effect? If so, may we request access to all this information including details?

7) Given the extreme survival challenges to Predators, resulting from current abnormally low Prey density, inevitably resulting in higher-than- normal Livestock predation, does the MEFT consider this before authorizing the destruction of Predators that are Specially Protected in terms of their Conservation status and does this influence the MEFT’s decision at all when approving the destruction of such animals? Would it be fair to say that, in this context, if this stance is not relaxed the chances are good that most of the Desert Adapted Lions may ultimately succumb to destruction due to this, almost necessitated, behavior? Also, does the MEFT consider the status of the alleged Problem Animal in terms of its role and standing needed to sustain a certain population (being a Pride Male in reproductive stage) and the likelihood of being replaced through natural dynamics or not as part of their decision-making criteria?

8) What are the shortcomings, in the view of the MEFT, in terms of the current situation and efforts made towards prevention, mitigation and management of Human Lion Conflict, specifically regarding the Desert Adapted Lions in Kunene region, and what is needed to improve this to obtain higher efficiency? Is it capacity, funding, co-operation lacking or any other aspects that could be improved upon and, if so, how could we be of assistance?

9) Does the MEFT have any plans in place to remedy the evident Prey/Predator imbalance that exists in the Conservancies currently to restore a balanced ecology in the long term? If so, what are they? Also, would the MEFT entertain suggestions from stakeholders on this matter?

Sincerely,

Izak Smit

Chairperson, DeLHRA