About The AfriCat Foundation
AfriCat emerged from the Hanssen Family’s desire to foster harmonious coexistence between farmers and predators . . .
How it All Started
The AfriCat Foundation was founded in 1991 and officially registered as a charity|non-profit organisation in 1993. (Registered Trust number 48/93) AfriCat was initially created to provide a platform for the Hanssen Family to share with farmers what they had learnt as cattle-farmers about the best way to co-exist with predators and to reduce stock losses.
The initial focus was very much on reducing the number of predators shot due to human-wildlife conflict.
AfriCat means “A-Free-Cat”. The Foundation was so named, because the advice to farmers was to kraal their domestic stock at night (calves, foals, goats and sheep), but leave the cats free.
In response to the traditional and outdated global sentiment of low predator tolerance on farmland, akin to the situation in Namibia where many farmers exhibit zero tolerance towards predators, some farmers advocated extreme measures such as, “consolidating all leopard and cheetah in Namibia onto a single farm”.
During its formative years, The AfriCat Foundation endeavoured to persuade Namibian farmers to construct ‘predator-proof’ enclosures near water points or their residences and to kraal their livestock, particularly during the night, as a means of protecting them, while allowing Namibian predators to live free and wild, rather than being locked up, persecuted or killed by humans – as to keep the balance nature thrives on.
WHAT IS AFRICAT’S MISSION?
The AfriCat Foundation was established to protect ‘cats’ (mainly cheetah and leopard) from human-wildlife conflict. The objective was soon expanded however to all of Namibia’s wildlife in recognition that ‘cat’ conservation could not be addressed without also protecting wildlife habitats.
AfriCat’s approach to achieving these objectives has evolved over time, informed by lessons learned and adapting to the evolving conservation landscape in Namibia.
Presently, the Foundation’s primary focus lies in ‘conservation research’, with a specific emphasis on evaluating the efficacy of enclosed, protected areas as a conservation strategy. The establishment of the Okonjima Nature Reserve exemplifies this commitment, serving as a protected habitat for Namibia’s wildlife.
The Foundation is actively engaged in assessing the degree to which this objective has been realised.
RESEARCH IN THE OKONJIMA NATURE RESERVE
Recognising that the creation of protected areas for wildlife is an important conservation strategy and that often protected areas are, or need, to be enclosed (island-bound | non-migratory), AfriCat is actively engaged in conservation research on the ‘ecology of wildlife’ within the Okonjima Nature Reserve (ONR). This research focuses on understanding the ecology of wildlife within the ONR, aiming to evaluate the effectiveness of ‘enclosed, protected areas’ in contributing to conservation efforts.
The Okonjima Nature Reserve (ONR) presents numerous advantages and opportunities for conservation research Thanks to the steadfast support from Okonjima, AfriCat can conduct long-term and ongoing monitoring efforts.
For example, in 2023, the leopard research project enrolled a third-generation leopard, whose mother and grandmother are part of the project. Few other research projects have similar longevity. The wildlife in the Reserve are protected from human threats and are comfortable around people, enabling AfriCat to study their natural behaviour.
AfriCat also has easy access to the wildlife in the Reserve; most study individuals can be seen at least every week, some twice a day and Okonjima guides participate in the research as AfriCat’s primary data collectors.
Finally, because most of the wildlife has been studied for a number of years, they are known populations, for which AfriCat already has significant amounts of data.
the species that AfriCat is focusing on:
1. Carnivores – leopards and brown hyena – because they are most affected by human-wildlife conflict and as the apex predators within the ONR, impact significantly on the environment,
2. Endangered Species such as the pangolin, because so little is known about them and conservation strategies are sorely needed, and
3. Lesser-Known Species, such as aardwolf, aardvark, caracal and African wildcat, for which there is little information, including in some cases, their conservation status.
AfriCat is therefore collecting granular information about wildlife in the ONR – to better understand the species including: (i) density, home range and movement; (ii) population genetics and parentage; (iii) reproduction and social interactions; (iv) prey preferences and practices; (v) interactions with other species and; (vi) impact of and with the environment.
These findings will be compared with other similar and dissimilar areas to add to the body of knowledge about these animals and to understand how the ecology of wildlife in the ONR may have been influenced by being in an enclosed, protected area.
Finally, because some of the species’ populations in the ONR are known populations, AfriCat will be able to test research methodologies, such as the best ways to assess density. Overall, the goals of the research are to improve the understanding of the species studied for conservation and management and to identify differences in the ONR to assess enclosed, protected areas as a conservation strategy and for their management.
AFRICAT & OKONJIMA
A Symbiotic Partnership in Action.
AfriCat, the Okonjima Lodges, and the Okonjima Nature Reserve are intricately intertwined entities. While AfriCat spearheads the conservation efforts within Okonjima, the lodges actively promote the ethos of conservation to their staff and guests. In turn, visitors to Okonjima directly contribute to the preservation of the habitat for a flourishing ecosystem of flora and fauna within the Reserve.
The Okonjima Nature Reserve was established to offer protected habitat for wildlife, attracting guests who seek to experience the Reserve and witness AfriCat’s conservation efforts firsthand.
AfriCat conducts research within the Reserve, with Okonjima guides playing a vital role as data collectors while accompanying guests. Simultaneously, the information and data gathered by AfriCat are shared with the guides for distribution to guests and park management, enhancing Reserve management practices. This collaborative exchange aims to not only improve Reserve management, but also to potentially inform national policy development for environmental conservation in Namibia.
Through this symbiotic relationship, AfriCat and Okonjima demonstrate a vibrant and sustainable model where tourism contributes to conservation and vice versa.
View Frequently Asked Questions about AfriCat
Learn more about the AfriCat Foundation: www.africat.org
