IUCN / SSC Cat Specialist Group - Digital Cat Library |
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| Stein, A. | |
| Namibian National Leopard Survey - 2011 | |
| 2011 Full Book | |
Leopards are the most widely-distributed wild cat on earth. They are found throughout most of sub-Saharan Africa and in smaller populations within the Middle East, southwest Asia, southeast Asia and north to the Amur peninsula of the Russian Far-East. Throughout this distribution, leopards have persisted in hostile areas outside of protected areas due to their secretive nature and adaptable ability to live in a variety of habitats including sub-urban environments. Leopards in Namibia are thought to have healthy population numbers, distributed across most of the country, primarily located outside of protected areas where depredation on livestock have caused many farmers to have a negative attitude towards the presence of leopards on their farms unless they pay their way. The trophy hunting of leopards is thought to be a potential source of income for the country where healthy leopard populations can sustain a regulated off-take based on the recommended CITES export quota. In 1997, Namibia was granted an annual quota of 100 export permits, which were increased to 250 in 2004. This figure was considered conservative, yet there was little information available to estimate the national population. Further, this annual quota was not filled until 2010 when reports of improper hunting practices caused the Namibian government and the hunting industry to review the national leopard population and hunting management strategies. In December 2010, the plans for a national leopard survey were undertaken. A questionnaire was distributed to 1,500 farmers to assess the distribution and relative abundance of leopards throughout Namibia. Nearly, 400 replies were received and based on these responses; we created a contoured map of leopard relative abundance that contributed to a focused population survey. Over the course of 2011, three study areas were chosen and surveyed using camera trapping and spoor tracking. These locations were chosen based our understanding of the local leopard population density and the willingness of farmers to assist with our survey. The results from these surveys were categorized into three density categories high (3.1 leopards/ 100km2), medium (2.0 leopards/ 100km2) and low (1.2 leopards/ 100km2). These density estimates were extrapolated across the contours determined from farmer questionnaires to produce a national estimate of 14,154 leopards (range 13,356- 22,706). The annual leopard hunting quota stands at 250, representing 3-4% of the total adult male leopard population. We recommend that this quota remain at the current level, with the introduction of an intensive monitoring program to distribute permits evenly across the landscape according to leopard density, previous hunting practices and trophy quality. The permit distribution, trophy quality and permit allocation systems are outlined in detail within this report. In high density areas, 0.5 adult male leopards per 1,000 km2 can be removed annually. In medium density areas, 0.35 adult male leopards per 1,000 km2 can be harvested. Low density areas are able to harvest adult male leopard at the lower rate of 0.21 individuals per 1,000 km2. Where trophy quality male leopards are consistently harvested, regions will retain or increase their permit number, however, where low quality trophies or insufficient records returned to MET permits will be reduced. This report is designed to provide MET with a detailed understanding of the national leopard population and a strategy for objectively monitoring the harvest of trophy hunted leopards throughout the country. |
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