The Utilization of Water Points by Wildlife Species in Nyae Nyae Conservancy, Namibia

Abstract

Namibia is a semi-arid country and underground water sources have proven to be reliable water sources for drought-prone countries. Underground water has the ability to sustain conservation activities as long as water infrastructure is in place and maintained. Despite the different water requirements for the wildlife species, water remains an essential component of wildlife management in Namibia. Therefore, this study aims at understanding utilization of water points by various wildlife species in the Nyae Nyae conservancies, which is located in the north-eastern part of Namibia. This study used monitoring data from wildlife counts that are conducted by the Conservancy annually at water points coupled with key-informant interviews with local conservancy members and leaders as well as some stakeholders. The study shows that the Conservancy had a diverse number of wildlife species that were predominantly ungulates (70%). These species were detected at 29 water points distributed across the Conservancy. Most of the water points in the conservancy were artificial points with water drawn from the underground water sources, while a few of the water points were pans (17%). Water resources are very important resources for conservation, not only in terms of being used by wildlife but also in terms of being used to provide an indication of species diversity in the conservation.

Artificial Water Troughs Use by the Mountain Ungulate Ovis gmelini ophion (Cyprus Mouflon) at Pafos Forest

“…Camera traps were used to monitor the use of ten artificial water troughs by wildlife, as this method has been used extensively in similar studies across the world [ 7 , 13 , 45 , 46 ]. The monitored water troughs were located at the forest core ( n = 3), where mouflon density is usually low, and the higher density periphery zone ( n = 7) ( Figure 1 ).…”

“…Urban, agricultural, and industrial developments have reduced or degraded supply and wildlife access to natural sources of water, mainly via spring diversions, water pumping, dam constructions, and fencing [ 8 , 9 , 10 ]. In response, wildlife managers have been provisioning surface water in water-stressed ecosystems for decades, either via the construction of artificial watering points (and/or water troughs) or the modification of natural sources [ 5 , 11 , 12 , 13 ]. These water developments not only provide a critical resource during dry periods but they can also increase the available forage area of ungulates by providing surface water access near seasonally dry and therefore inaccessible areas.…”

“…These water developments not only provide a critical resource during dry periods but they can also increase the available forage area of ungulates by providing surface water access near seasonally dry and therefore inaccessible areas. In doing so, artificial water troughs can be used to manage animal densities and support populations of rare species [ 3 , 13 , 14 ]. Moreover, they help mitigate the effects of anthropogenic barriers constraining wildlife access to surface water [ 7 , 15 , 16 , 17 ].…”

Impacts of Constructed Water Pans on Mammal Distribution and Abundance. A Case of Mt. Kenya Wildlife Conservancy, Kenya

“…Natural ecosystems majorly rely on water for proper functioning and sustenance [6]. Globally, artificial water provisioning has been used as a management tool in Australia, North America, and Africa to increase wildlife populations [7] alter wildlife distribution and provide water to wildlife species during the dry season [8,9].…”

“…In Botswana and Zimbabwe, the well-distribution of artificial water sources within the protected areas has been mentioned to prevent animals from migrating to areas of high poaching and reduce humanwildlife conflicts [28] Chakuya, [27] respectively). It has also been observed to increase species diversity and abundance thus maintaining the wildlife population especially water-dependent species in Nyae Nyae conservancy, Namibia [6]. However, high density of water points affects both the vegetation and herbivores leading to a reduction of biodiversity in areas in close proximity to the artificial water sources [14].…”