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Kalahari Leopard and Lion Ecology and Conservation in Khutse Game Reserve

and their Conflict with Human

Annual Report 2007

Monika Schiess-Meier and David Mills

Khutse Game Reserve P.O. Box 3355

Molepolole / Botswana [email protected]

www.leopard.ch

http://www.leopard.ch/

Leopard Ecology and Conservation – Report 07 2 Monika Schiess-Meier and David Mills ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

CONTENTS Page

Current State of the Project 3

1. Leopard Research 4

Leopard on Farmland 4

Kraal Door 5

Leopard on Game Farms 6

Leopard Spoor Tracking: Francistown Game Farms 6

Camera Trapping 7

Outlook 7

2. Lion Research 8

Livestock losses 8

Lion Collaring 9

Killing of Lions 10

Locations of Livestock losses 11

Outlook 11

3. Other Research in Khutse 13

Prey Counts 13

Spoor Counts 13

Ongoing Research at all Research Sites 14

Scat sampling 14

Disease Screening 14

4. Conservation and Education in Kaudwane 15

Kaudwane Community 15

Cattle Farmers in Khutse Area 15

Predator Friendly Beef 15

Informational Movies 16

Desert Eagle Football Club 16

Movie Nights in Kaudwane 17

Ongoing Programs 17

APPENDIX

Permits and Logistics 19

Field Work 19

Publications 20

Talks 20

Time Schedule 20

Personnel to be involved 20

Collaboration 22

Further Activities since 2001 22

Supporters of the Project 23

Background of the Project 25

Overview of the Project 26


Current State of the Project

Those who are new to our project are kindly directed to the Appendix (page 25) for a

synopsis of our project from 2000 to 2006.

In 2006, we were presented with two opportunities. First, one of our veterinarians co-

manages a livestock farm with his wife. They loose many calves to leopards each year,

but are predator friendly and therefore do not want to kill the leopards to solve the

problem. They expressed their desire for us to work with them to conduct leopard

research on their farm in Southeast District. At the same time, the Botswana Wildlife

Producers Association was questioning the scientific basis for current leopard hunting

quotas in the country. They were concerned that, while leopard quotas may be lower than

necessary in some regions, they may also be far too high in others. They requested that a

nation-wide survey be undertaken to determine relative leopard densities in various parts

of the country. One of the game farmers offered to let us conduct our portion of the survey

on his farm in Northeast District. In March 2007 we received permission from the Ministry

of Environment, Wildlife and Tourism to expand our leopard research efforts to include

Southeast District (1’780 km2) and Northeast District (5’120 km2). We spent much of the

first half of the year setting up in these areas.

In 2007, the rate of lion killing adjacent to Khutse Game Reserve increased rapidly, with at

least 16 lions killed between April and September. When compared to a total of 16 lions

killed during the previous two years, this was a concerning development. Therefore, our

work with lions has taken a turn. Throughout 2007, we were tracking the lions with GPS

collars, interviewing farmers at nearby cattle posts and working on protection methods

appropriate to this area. We are now focusing on the development of a more

comprehensive, long-term education program aimed at teaching the communal farmers

near Khutse Game Reserve the importance of ecologically sustainable farming, the

importance of wildlife and ways to protect livestock from predators.


1. Leopard Research

The goal of our leopard research is to ensure a sustainable, healthy population of

leopards in Botswana. In order to do this, we:

- conduct research to understand their behaviour, habitat use, health status and

genetics

- learn how these factors vary between commercial livestock farmland, communal

livestock farmland, game farms and protected areas

- work directly with farmers to understand the problems they experience with

leopards

- developing protection methods and human-predator conflict mitigation methods

which are appropriate to Botswana

Leopard on Farmland

The male leopard we collared on farmland in September 2006 (Bubbles) has given us 275

GPS points over the last year. Our preliminary home range calculation of 344.7 km2

(Fixed Kernel 95%) was calculated from the initial three months of data points (2006

Annual Report). After a year of daily points, we have calculated his home range to be

325.6 km2. His GPS locations have given us a look at some of his habits and allowed us

to determine whether or not he was responsible for killing individual livestock on

Moroekwe farm. During his first year of data, a total of 31 calves died on Moroekwe farm.

Of these, 14 were killed by predators (12 to leopard and two to brown hyena). The

remainder died due to starvation, spontaneous abortion and unknown causes. Of the 12

calves killed by leopards, Bubbles was confirmed to have killed two. He was associated

with one other by virtue of his GPS points, but it could not be confirmed that he was the

cause of death. Rather than often frequenting certain areas containing livestock kraals, he

seems to hunt opportunistically as he roams over his entire territory. One interesting

pattern that becomes apparent when viewing his points on Google Earth, is that he

spends much of his day on top of hills rather than hiding in the lowlands in between. This

may relate to movements of communal farmers and commercial herders in the area.


His cellular collar has worked consistently over the entire period. Considering the positive

results of this collar test, we plan to use more cellular collars to track leopards in these

farming areas.

Kraal Door

In order to reduce the conflict between predators and livestock in communal areas, we set

out to develop a method which will protect livestock that is left out of kraals at night. We

adapted the method of a one-way, self-closing door used with livestock in Europe. We

tested this one-way door on the livestock farm where Bubbles was collared in Lobatse.

After being led through the door for a period of five weeks, two hand-reared calves

learned to use it on their own. By eight weeks, 84 of 121 cattle were using the gate. Only

the old cattle (5+ years) refused open the gate on their own. These results were

encouraging as they showed that the cows can be taught to use such a door with very

little prompting. This gate was originally intended for use on the kraals near Khutse.

Therefore, we are currently in the process of testing the door at Kaudwane. We have

modified it for this area and are testing it against the lion’s ability to learn how to open the

door themselves.

Leopard on Game Farms

In February, we visited game farmers in Northeast District in order to determine if the area

was suitable for a leopard survey. In March, we began a predator spoor tracking survey

on three game farms and adjacent tribal land in Northeast District (game farm area:

13,400 ha; total survey area: 22,500 ha). The initial phase of counting has been

completed. This included mapping the roads and infrastructure on each of three game

farms and tribal land, training of tracking personnel and 1075 km (71 days) of tracking by

bicycle.

Leopard Spoor Tracking: Francistown Game Farms

We expect to gain an understanding of predator densities on these farms. This survey

will be compared to spoor surveys which are being conducted in Ghanzi District by

Cheetah Conservation Botswana and in Ngamiland by the Botswana Predator

Conservation Project. The results will provide relative densities of leopards between

these areas and will be used by the Department of Wildlife and National Parks and the


Botswana Wildlife Producer’s Association to allocate sustainable leopard hunting

quotas.

Camera Trapping

We acquired three camera traps in May. Two of these are in use in Francistown and

one in Khutse. We are using these camera traps in conjunction with leopard kills, baits

and waterholes. This allows us to begin to identify individuals and, through repeat

appearances, those that are likely to be territorial.

Fig 3: Female leopard on Lesegolame Game Ranch

Outlook

In 2008, we plan to acquire more leopard collars. Cell collars will be used on leopards

on commercial livestock farms and game farms where there is cell phone reception.

There is no cell phone reception around Khutse Game Reserve. Therefore, satellite

collars will be used around Khutse and the surrounding cattle posts. We can then

compare leopard movements and habitat use between these different land use

regimes. This will be of particular importance as we begin our education program with

the cattle posts. We can then track changes in habitat use and movements of the

leopards in response to changing livestock management techniques. In addition, we

plan to acquire more camera traps in order to conduct a comprehensive camera trap

survey to estimate predator densities on the farms in Francistown and in Khutse

Game Reserve.


2. Lion Research

The greater visibility of lions, due to more noticeable vocalizations and larger potential

group size, relative to leopards causes lions to be restricted to protected areas and their

immediate vicinity. Since Khutse Game Reserve is not fenced, the territories of park lions

overlap into adjacent communal farmland. Therefore, the goal of our lion research is to

ensure a healthy population of lions in Khutse Game Reserve and the communal farmland

directly neighboring the reserve. In order to accomplish this, we:

- gather data on movement patterns, health status and genetics

- computerize reports of livestock killed by all predators

- record locations of livestock killed by lions

- work with farmers in the area to develop and test methods to protect livestock

at night.

Livestock Losses

We continued to computerize Problem Animal Control Report Books from the

Department of Wildlife and National Parks. We have computerized these records from

1999 to the present. Continued analysis of these report books indicate that leopards

and lions are the two predators most often reported for killing livestock (cheetah 6,2%,

Hyena 9,8%, leopard 35,6%, lion 37,3%, wild dog 12,1% from 2000 till 2006 in four

stations of Kweneng District).

Fig. 4:Reported livestock kills of lions and leopards of two stations in Kweneng

District (Khutse and Molepolole)


Both lion and leopard reports continue to follow the trends we have observed since

1999. The number of lion reports showed a steep annual increase, while the number

of leopard reports increased gradually throughout the district.

Lion Collaring

In February 2006, we placed GPS data logging collars on four female lions. In March

2007, we were able to remove the collars from three of these lionesses. The resulting

data allowed us to determine the home ranges (MCP 95% fixed a mean) and some of the

primary activity areas of these lions.

Table 1: Home ranges of collared lions in Khutse Game Reserve

Lion Collar ID Number of Points Home Range (km2)

F8 AL12 2622 373.72

F22 AL15 2187 483.79

F24 AL11 1901 632.45

F24 (2nd collar) AL33 1452 551.85

M10 AL34 1896 1735.87

We placed new collars on two of these lionesses and were also able to collar their pride

male. This is the first male lion that has been fitted with a GPS collar in Khutse Game

Reserve. We chose to place collars in this group of three females, one male and five cubs

because they were known to venture into communal grazing area (land grazed jointly by

all members of the community). The data we retrieved from the male’s PS collars

confirmed that he travelled from approximately 35 km inside the reserve to cattle posts

18.5 km outside the reserve. These female lion home ranges are smaller than those

recorded by Sandra Ramsauer in Khutse Game Reserve (2001-2005). The exact reasons

for this will be a subject of more detailed analysis, but may be related to the fact that they


gave birth to cubs during this time or to drought circumstances in 2006-2007, which may

have significantly altered the distribution of pre

Killing of Lions

Unfortunately, these habits caused serious problems for this pride. On 11 June the

only not collared female in the group was shot by farmers. The collared male and one

of the collared females were killed by the same farmers on 3 August and 4 September

respectively.

In 2007, there has been an increasing number of

reports of lions being killed in many areas of

Botswana, including our study area of Kweneng

District. These reports are localized along the border

of the reserves, particularly in three areas.

In response to this growing problem, the government

reinstated the ban on the killing of lions, which had

been rescinded in May 2005. This will allow the lion

population to recover in and around protected areas. It also increases the importance

of helping the farmers to protect their livestock and live with the predators so that

when the ban is again lifted, the lion population can remain healthy and stable.

Location of Livestock Losses

We continued to record the locations of livestock killed by lions around Kaudwane

(See appendix page 29). Between February 2006 and November 2007, we

investigated 78 livestock kills. 100% were killed by lions and 100% were killed during

the night. Of the 78 livestock kills, one was taken from a kraal (small goat), 39 were

killed within one kilometer of the kraals, five were killed inside Khutse Game Reserve

and 34 were killed over one kilometer from the kraals, but outside the reserve. This

emphasizes our observations that effective kraaling is an important first step in

reducing the lion-livestock conflict in this area.


Outlook

The rapid increase in lethal removal and clear need for public education has led us to

begin the development of a long-term education program aimed at cattle posts. Our

goal is to help the communal farmers with livestock and rangeland management

techniques, including holistic farming practises, while at the same time encouraging a

more tolerant view toward wildlife.

These methods focus on several factors:

- Reducing range degradation

- Improving livestock health (sick or weak animals are targets for predators)

- Increasing wildlife populations in grazing areas (alternative natural prey)

- Advice and aid to increase the quality, and therefore value, of beef sold to the

butchers. Our intention is that they begin to see a direct, tangible benefit from this

project and to prepare them for further financial benefits through the Predator-

Friendly Beef program (see page 15)

Each of these items will be taught in cooperation with the appropriate authorities (eg. the

Department of Wildlife and National Parks, the Department of Animal Health, etc.) and

with the assistance of interested government officials and farmers.

We will continue to gather GPS locations on the lioness and her five cubs via the GPS

data logging collar we placed on her in March. While we still occasionally find spoor of

lions outside the reserve she is the only individual we are aware of that maintains a large

portion of her territory inside the reserve and is currently making regular excursions into

communal farmland near our base camp.

Two of the five cubs she is caring for (two of hers and

three of her sister’s) are 15 months old and should be

ready to disperse in the next six months. We would like

to purchase two satellite collars to track their dispersal

route. This information would be helpful in

understanding the management needs of lions in this

area. We will continue to collar lions


found in the communal farmland surrounding Khutse. This information will be helpful in

gauging the effect of our educational activities (including changes in grazing

management, increased wild prey density and implementation of protection methods)

on predator movements and the intensity of the human-predator conflict. For example if

our protection methods work at a particular cattle post, the lions may stop looking for

stray livestock in that particular area and focus on a less intensively managed cattle post

instead These are counts are performed using the same method used in the 2001-2002

prey counts. Counters drive a transect and count the number of potential prey animals

seen.

3. Other Research in Khutse

Prey Counts

In June, we resumed prey counts in Khutse Game Reserve. These counts were

performed using the same method used in the 2001-2002 prey counts. Once per months,

counters drove each of 13 transects, counting the number of prey animals they saw

within 200 m of the transect. The counts will be compared to the 2001-2002 counts.

In addition to the original 173.0 km of transects within the reserve, we have included

115.1 km of transects located outside the reserve in the vicinity of cattle posts. These

transects are counted at least once per month. This will allow us to compare wildlife

counts in the reserve with those in communal farming areas. This will be an ongoing

activity.

Spoor Counts

We are conducting predator spoor counts in tandem with prey counts. The results from

transects inside the reserve will be compared with those outside the reserve. The results

from both of these areas will be compared to our spoor survey on game farms in

Francistown. This will be an ongoing activity.


Ongoing research at all Research Sites

Scat Sampling

We continued to opportunistically collect leopard and lion scats at each study site. These

were cleaned to isolate prey remains such as hair, claws and bone fragments. A database

was created before by taking hair from various prey items that were found in and around

the reserve. The hair from the scats were then checked against this database to

determine which prey item has been consumed in each instance. Initial examination of

scats by Rebekka Trüssel and Sara Lerch at the University of Zurich has sown that

species mostly eaten by lions were wildebeest (31%), Eland (17%), and goats (17%)

(N=29). Main prey animals of the leopard were to 30% Porcupine and 15% Steenbok

(N=20). Large animals only made up 5% of the leopard’s diet. On the other hand small

animals only made up 4% of the lion’s prey spectrum. These findings are consistent with

the previous results of our study (Schiess et al 2007), which indicated that leopards

primarily killed livestock weighing less than 200 kg, while lions primarily killed livestock

weighing more than 200 kg.

Fig. 8: Percentages of eaten species by lions and leopards. Prey size sorted from

small (right) to large (left) (by R. Trüssel and S. Lerch).

Disease Screening

We also continued to obtain blood samples for analysis of blood-borne pathogens in

leopards and lions. In 2007, we were able to take blood from the four lions we collared in

March and April. This ongoing research is important for determining the prevalence of

various pathogens in the lion and leopard populations.


4. Conservation and Education

Kaudwane Community

Conservation of predators relies on working with people. The local inhabitants of an area

must understand and subscribe to the value of conservation if it is to succeed. The goals

of our community and educational programs are to:

- encourage people to appreciate and value their unique surroundings in the

Kalahari

- provide small direct benefits from our project (eg. Productive horses and donkeys,

low cost clothing, school garden)

- reduce and/or offset the negative effects of living with predators

Cattle Farmers in Khutse Area

Community education is a critical component of our research. As we work with farmers to

develop and test methods to protect livestock from predators, it is also important to make

the survival of these predators important to them as well. Living with predators often

comes with a high cost. While improved protection methods can reduce losses, it is

unfortunately still easier to simply exterminate predators and do away with the immediate

problem. Our interviews have shown that many residents in Kaudwane settlement

understand the importance of predators to tourism. However, they do not currently

perceive a direct benefit from this tourism. They often view wildlife in purely economic

terms. For some, wildlife is also a source of food. However, the concept of sustainable

use, which may have been part of San life in recent history, seems to have been lost. It is

important to convey the importance of biodiversity, to emphasize that Botswana is

fortunate to have a wide variety of animals and that this should be conserved because of

both the economic and intrinsic value of wildlife in the country.

Predator Friendly Beef

Predator Friendly Beef is a new concept we are working on. Under this scheme, farmers

who employ environmentally sustainable farming practises and who do not kill predators


will get a premium for the beef they sell. There has already been some initial interest

from some commercial cattle farmers in Botswana and a beef distributor in Switzerland.

Over the past several decades, the ranges of all large predators have contracted

substantially, and in several cases dramatically. If successful, this incentive to live with

predators and farm in an environmentally conscious way will provide the ground work for

allowing predator populations to reclaim portions of their former range.

This concept has been under development by Cheetah Conservation Botswana, Dr.

Mark Bing and Leopard Ecology & Conservation. Mark Bing works extensively with both

CCB and ourselves and is a veterinarian, conservationist and farmer. In November he

called a meeting to explain the technicalities and to work out a framework for the future

of this project. We have now established the basic conceptual foundation and are in the

first phases of contacting interested parties (eg. farmers, meat distributors and potential

donors). We are looking forward to the development of this concept into an effective and

sustainable solution to the human-predator conflict in Botswana.

Informational Movies

In addition to conserving the predators of the Kalahari, we are also interested in helping to

preserve the unique knowledge found in San culture. We are currently developing an

informational movie which will serve the dual purpose of promoting the importance of

ancient skills and the future biodiversity of the Kalahari. This movie will feature San from

Kaudwane settlement as they explain ancient knowledge of tool making and plant uses,

good animal husbandry practices and effective protection methods to reduce livestock

losses to predators. As young people absorb Western culture and loose the skills that

were once so crucial to survival in the Kalahari, it is important to emphasize a balance

between the old and the new and the importance of preserving both culture and wildlife for

future generations. Additionally, this movie will provide a medium for teaching farmers

new livestock protection methods which will reduce their livestock losses to predators.

This film will promote both cultural and environmental stewardship.


Desert Eagles Football Club

Monika has been elected vice president of

Kaudwane’s football club, called the Desert

Eagles.FIFA in Zurich generously donated 4

footballs, 20 FIFA jerseys and several other

items. These were presented to the team upon

winning one of their tournament games this

year. Both the team and the fan club were

extremely grateful for the gesture, demonstrating this by posing for pictures, singing and

dancing. We hope this new relationship will prove to them that we wish to help the

people in the area as well as the predators and that it will open them to a more positive

attitude toward wildlife.

Movie Nights in Kaudwane

To encourage a greater appreciation for wildlife, we have begun to show wildlife

documentaries in Kaudwane settlement. These documentaries were made in Botswana

and other parts of the world and portray wildlife from a different perspective than is often

encountered in Kaudwane. These presentations have been met with even more

enthusiasm than expected. We hope that this will prove to be a valuable tool in our effort

to achieve peace between rural livestock farmers and predators.

Ongoing Programs (see appendix)

- Animal Husbandry Centre – and Community Development Program

- Information Centre

- Itsoseng Non-Profit-Shop

- Community Garden

We would like to thank all of you for your valuable support.


APPENDIX

Permits and Logistics

Permits

- The Department of Wildlife and National Parks worked out a new agreement and

guidelines for independent researchers. Therefore, our permit was only valid till the

new guidelines were officially approved. We could reapply for the leopard and lion

research permits in early 2007 and received a new research permit till March 2010.

- The resident permits needed to be renewed as well and is also valid till March 2010.

- The vehicle needed to be registered in Botswana

- The long, drawn out process to acquire the plots for Animal Husbandry and Shop as

well the Information Centre is ongoing.

Camp

- The tents in the research camp, which were

purchased in 2000, have passed their

projected lifespan of five years. While they

have served us well, the Kalahari sun

appears to be taking its toll and several

need to be replaced in the very near future

as they have become irreparably worn out

so that snakes and other vermin have

easier access. Furthermore, at the beginning of October, a wind-storm damaged our

kitchen and office tent and destroyed Monika’s sleeping tent

- For the past two years, our electricity consumption has been exceeded our solar

power production capacity. This has a negative effect on our food stores, in the

refrigerator and freezer, and often severely restricts our ability to use computers for

extended periods. Since we are planning to expand our staff and to accept graduate

students in the near future, we will need to acquire more electricity. Our options are to

expand our current solar array, add a wind generator or connect to the wildlife

warden’s diesel generator. As we are a conservation project, we would prefer

renewable energy.


Field Work

- in Khutse Game Reserve has been carried out throughout the year 2007 with a break

in May (11 out of 12 months).

- in Francistown was conducted in February, April, May and August.

- in Lobatse was carried out opportunistically and included the testing of the kraal door

and investigation and recording of livestock killed by leopards, particularly Bubbles.

- Sara Lerch and Rebekka Trüssel, two students from the University of Zurich,

Switzerland, joined us between May and September to do their field work for their

Masters degree.

- Esther Tarszisz, a veterinarian from Australia, volunteered with us for October and

November. Her goal was to find several of our collared lions and leopards in order to

remove their collars. However, she was unable to find the spoor of these particular

lions and the collared leopards refused several baits we placed for them over this

period.

Publications

- The “Journal of Wildlife Management” published the article: Livestock Predation –

Insights from Problem Animal Control Registers in Botswana”; by (Schiess-Meier, M.,

Ramsauer, S., Gabanapelo, T. and König, B.) in its June 2007 issue.

Talks

- Human Predator Conflict – Livestock Protection Methods in Botswana, Felid Biology

and Conservation Conference Oxford, UK

Time Schedule

2007 - 2010

- Collaring leopards and lions

- Continue of animal counts and spoor tracking

- Continue to collect and analysing scat, blood and tissue samples

- Computerize and analyse DWNP report books 2007 - 2010

- Continue to establish methods for the better protection of livestock to prevent attacks

from predators

- Continue the Animal Husbandry Program in Kaudwane


- Continue with planning and construction of Animal Husbandry Centre, the non Profit

Shop and the Information Centre

- Workshops and Education Program with small and commercial farmers

- Planning after school activities and recreational centre

- Analyses and publications

- Developing different brochures

The following people are involved in the project to insure the success of our aims:

The Leopard Ecology & Conservation Team

Field Researchers

- Monika Schiess-Meier, initiator, head of the project (University of Zurich, Switzerland)

- David R. Mills, field coordinator (Michigan, United States)

Research assistants:

- Maja Weilenmann, home range analysis, statistical support and proof reading

(University of Zurich, Switzerland)

- Saskia Jenny, homepage and logistical support (University of Zurich, Switzerland)

The following people provide research support on leopard and lion behaviour, population

genetics, and health:

- Prof. B. König, Project Research Supervisor, University of Zurich, Switzerland

- Dr. G. Kerth, molecular genetic analysis, University of Zurich, Switzerland

- Jary Garbeli, molecular genetic analysis, University of Zurich, Switzerland

- Prof. H. Lutz, clinical laboratory, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Switzerland

- Dr. Emily Lane, pathology, National Zoological Garden, Pretoria, South Africa

The following people provide needed support in Botswana (permits, information,

logistics):

- Rapalang Mojaphoko, Director, Department of Wildlife and National Parks, Gaborone

- Moemi R. Batshabang, Assistant Director Management and Utilization, Department of

Wildlife and National Parks, Gaborone


- Dr. Taolo, Research Division, Department of Wildlife and National Parks, Gaborone

- Tefo Gabanapelo, Head Warden of Matswere warden’s camp, CKGR

- Justin Soopu, Department of Wildlife and National Parks, Khutse Game Reserve

- Dr. Neo Mapitsi, Veterinarian, Department of Animal Health and Production, Gaborone

The following people provide professional, logistical, and material support for the

project:

Switzerland and Germany

- Fritz Schiess, BGS-Architects, Rapperswil, Switzerland

- Dieter and Liz Gutmann, Hamburg, Germany

- Dr. Rosmarie Holzinger, M.D., Zurich, Switzerland

- Juliette and Tonio Schelker, Horgen, Switzerland

- Prof. Dr. Peter Schmid-Grendelmeier. M.D., University Hospital Zurich, Switzerland

- Dr. Michel Nakano, technical support, University of Zurich, Switzerland

- Prof. Dr. Ewald Isenbügel, Greifensee, Switzerland

Botswana

- Johan and Rosalyn Beukes, Gaborone

- Doreene Khama, attorney, Gaborone

- Phana Kegakilwe Segametsi, Gaborone

- Mark Bing and Jane Freeman, Lobatse

- Anthony and Virginia Johnson, Francistown

- Dr. Rob Jackson, Veterinarian, Maun

- Harry and Wendy Griesel, Lobatse

The following people from Kaudwane were employed by the project this year:

- Tracking: Phalatsa Nkadima and Mpheletsang Molehatlholo

- Assistant: Pogiso Ithuteng

- Gardener: Kelebonye Tuediso

- Camp: Ngwanyana Kefeletswe

- Builder and Maintenance: Kobe Majafe

- Shop: Goitseone Ngotswane

- Domestic Animals: Asa Segootsane and Manyasa Kokomeego


- Animal Husbandry Project: Onthusitse Kelathlegile, Kelereng Ramathatoga,

Kebotlogetse Pule

In 2007, we worked in close collaboration with the following:

- Department of Wildlife and National Parks

- Community of Kaudwane

- Kaudwane School

- Cheetah Conservation Botswana

- Protectorate Ranching / R.A. Bailey

- Lesegolame, Grundy’s and Old Tati Game Ranches

Further Activities 2001 - 2007

- Regular updates of the web page

- Regular updates of our brochures, in both English and German

Talks in Botswana and Switzerland

- Lions Club, Uster, Switzerland, Bedrohte Jäger – Leoparden und Löwen der Kalahari,

2006

- DWNP, Botswana, compensation workshop – Sharing the land with leopards, 2006

- Game Farmers Association, Gaborone, Botswana, general meeting – Sharing the land

with leopards, 2006

- Workshop on problem animals in Jwaneng, Botswana, “Leopards – Threatened

Hunters”, 2005

- Talk for DWNP senior management, Gaborone, Botswana, “Animal-Human Conflict –

Finding Solutions”, 2005

- Alliance Franςaise, Gaborone, Botswana, “Khutse Leopard Trust – Sharing the Land

with Leopard”, 2004

- Rotary Club, Basel, Switzerland, “Kalahari-Leoparden im Konflikt mit dem Menschen”,

2004

- Dutch Business Round Table, Zurich, Switzerland, 2004

- Freunde der Serengeti, Zurich, Switzerland, 2003

- Club Soroptimist International, Rapperswil, Switzerland, 2002

- Annual Research Meeting of the Department of Wildlife and National Parks, Kasane,

Botswana, 2002


- Talk of the community of Jona, invited by the nature conservation authority of Jona,

Switzerland, 2002

- Education seminar with teachers and students in Khutse, Botswana, “The Leopard in

it’s Environment”, 2001

- Sunday talk at Mokolodi Nature Reserve, Botswana, “On the Tracks of the Kalahari

Leopard in Khutse Game Reserve, 2001

Articles in several journals

- Magazin „Brigitte“, Auf den Spuren des Leoparden, No 9, 11th April 2006

- Air Botswana Magazine, 2005

- Article in Mokolodi Newsletter, Botswana, 2002 + 2004

- Universelle Nr. 5, Switzerland, 2003

- NZZ am Sonntag, Switzerland, 2003

- Zurichsee Zeitung, Switzerland, 2002

- Linth Zeitung, Switzerland, 2002

- Tours, Abenteurer rund um die Welt, Germany, 2002

- 2 Articles in Kalahari Conservation Society Newsletter, Botswana , 2001

Television and Radio

- Österreichischer Rundfunk ORF, Austria, Wissenschaftsabteilung, Sendung: „Vom

Leben der Natur“, Leben des Leoparden, 21th – 25th August 2006

- German television Arte, documentation on the woman magazine “Lola”: woman and

animals, 2005

- The Swiss television DRS filmed our research project in Khutse. This documentation

was broadcasted on “Reporter”, 2004

- German television VOX, documentation on “Tierzeit”: “Grosse Katzen – starke Frauen

Raubtierforschung in Botswana“ (big cats – strong woman, predator research in

Botswana), 2004

- A 1 h interview to discuss our leopard project at the local radio station in Gaborone,

2004

- A South African film crew joined us in our camp for several days. This documentation

of our research was broadcasted on several TV channels in SA, 2002


The Leopard Ecology & Conservation Project is financially supported by:

- Foundations

BornFree, UK (2007)

Rufford Foundation, UK (2007)

Sielmann Stiftung, Switzerland (2006 - )

AfriLeo, Basel, Switzerland (2003, 2004, 2005, 2007)

Messerli Stiftung, Zurich, Switzerland (2004)

Claraz Schenkung, Zurich, Switzerland (2003)

SkyWind Foundation, Canada (2003, 2005)

Vontobel Foundation, Switzerland (2002, 2003)

PSP Publishing Foundation, Switzerland, (1999 – 2004)

- Institutions and Companies

Institute of Zoology, University of Zurich, Switzerland (2000 - )

Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Zurich, Switzerland (2000 - )

BGS-Architekten, Switzerland (2000 - )

Breitenmoser-Foto, Switzerlands (2004 - )

Cécile Mode, Switzerland (2004 - )

Datamars AG, Switzerland (2004 - )

Dynoptic AG, Switzerland (2004 - )

Hilti AG, Schan, Lichtenstein (2007)

Helio Express, Switzerland (2005, 2006)

MultiTech Training Consultants (Pty) Ltd, Botswana (2005)

Spirig Pharma AG, Switzerland (2001, 2007)

Interbit AG, Switzerland (2001)

Solar West, Botswana (2000)

Ericson AG, Switzerland (2000)

Graphic Design, Switzerland (2000)

- Numerous private persons from Switzerland, Botswana, the United States, and

Germany have also generously donated funds, materials, and services to the project.


Background of the Project

In September 2000, we started the Leopard Ecology & Conservation as a long-term

research project in Khutse Game Reserve in the Central Kalahari of Botswana. Its initial

goal was to obtain extensive knowledge of the behaviour, population genetics, and

epidemiology of feline diseases and health status of the leopard Panthera pardus in this

arid region.

Our study area includes Khutse Game Reserve

(2’590 km2), the southern portion of the Central

Kalahari Game Reserve (52’800 km2),

Botswana’s largest protected area) and the

adjacent farmland of the Kweneng district (35’500

km2). These reserves are not fenced and are

mostly surrounded by pastoralists.

Shortly after the start of the project, we became

aware that this elusive big cat, which can seldom

be directly observed in the vast desert of the

Kalahari, is causing damage to the free ranging

livestock in the entire Kweneng district and

therefore, coming into conflict with the rural

communities. It quickly became clear that the long-term survival of the leopard in

Botswana will only be sustainable if our efforts are devoted not only on the leopard

research, but also to its overall environment. It became equally clear that, in order to be


truly effective, we must actively seek to understand local culture and then to use this

understanding to educate citizens on conservation matters and to increase public

awareness of the issues surrounding the leopard and other predators. In order to achieve

a more positive public opinion of the leopard, the project seeks to provide advice and

other aid in community development so that through helping the leopard, the lives of the

local people are improved. Therefore, an integral part of the research project is now to

foster a lasting link between ongoing scientific research and the education of local

people, particularly the San (Bushmen). Topics include animal husbandry, protecting

livestock from predators and education programs at the local school of the nearby

settlement of Kaudwane. This not only conserves the leopard but also advances nature

conservation in general.

For many centuries, the people inhabiting Botswana have held their cattle in exceptionally

high regard. Cattle are commonly regarded as a direct measure of wealth, and therefore

of social status. This view causes a conflict between cattle, which is of great importance to

all citizens of Botswana, and tourism, a major income to the nation’s economy. As the

wealth of the citizens increases, so does the population of cattle. This puts increasing

pressure on the predators and other wildlife, which are not only important for biodiversity

and their unique contributions to a healthy, balanced ecology, but are also valuable to the

tourist industry of Botswana. This led to a change in the primary goal of our project. The

project is now developing strategies to study the habitat use of leopards on farmland and

to understand the conflict situation both from the perspective of the cattle owner and the

leopard. This goal is aided by the unusual open-mindedness of most farmers. They clearly

understand the importance of tourism to the country, but also need to protect their

investment in cattle. Most are willing to discuss the situation logically and to work with us

to develop a way in which both predators and livestock can share the same land. Such an

attitude greatly increases the likelihood that this venture will be successful.

Overview of the Project

The goal of our project is to ensure the long term viability and conservation of leopard

population in Botswana. To achieve this goal, the leopard project has been divided into

three interrelated topics:


1. Leopard Research in the Protected Area of Khutse Game Reserve

Behavioural ecology data will provide information on population density, individual and

sex specific habitat size and home range use, seasonal differences in habitat use, activity

and hunting behaviour.

The general health status of the leopard population within the region will be assessed

through analyses of blood samples.

Data on population genetics evaluated through analyses of blood and tissue samples will

enhance our understanding of mating behaviour, social structure, individual reproduction

success as well as migration behaviour (gene flow between populations). This knowledge

is fundamental to the conservation of a species as it provides information on its effective

and sustainable population size and its current and future status.

2. Leopard and Lion Research on Unprotected Farmland

Leopards

Due to their secretive and solitary nature, leopards often roam close to human habitation.

When they start to prey on livestock, they are often shot or poisoned by local farmers.

The data gathered in unprotected farm areas will be compared with data gathered in

Khutse Game Reserve in order to identify differences in behavioural aspects between the

two groups. A particular emphasis is being placed on a better understanding of the conflict

that exists between the leopard and rural communities and to examine the causes and

consequences of leopards hunting livestock and thus becoming problem animals.

Furthermore, leopards roaming outside of protected areas might be at high risk to become

carriers of diseases picked up from domestic animals. When a problem animal is

translocated into Khutse Game Reserve, it may then transmit these diseases to

conspecifics with potentially lethal consequences. Therefore, the health status of these

predators is assessed through blood analysis.

As we anticipated extending our research on farmland to the Lobatse area, one of our

veterinarians, Dr. Mark Bing, collared a male leopard (Bubbles) on Moroekwe farm, which

he manages with his wife, Dr. Jane Freeman. We will use this area to see how leopards

behave around commercial livestock farming areas. We will also compare leopard

behaviour and habitat use in this area with those in Khutse.


Lions

In 2005, lions were posing an increasingly serious problem near Khutse Game Reserve.

They roamed, and continue to roam, nearby grazing areas as part of their territory. The

management policy of relocating or chasing lions from grazing areas was having little

success. As this conflict area continued to worsen, it became a top priority for the

Botswana Department of Wildlife and National Parks. In late 2005, we began a focused

study of the lion-livestock conflict near the park so that we could better understand the

situation. We began to work with the farmers to reduce the conflict and reverse the

negative trend in attitude towards lions. The initial phase of this study took place in 2006

and included placing GPS collars on 4 lionesses and interviewing 60 farmers from

Kaudwane. We asked the farmers about their animal husbandry practices, the number of

problems they personally face, and their general attitude towards predators.

In January 2006, the Eastern and Southern African Lion Conservation Workshop was held

in South Africa to discuss the status and future of the African lion. The results of studies

associated with this conference estimated that the current African lion population has

declined from 200’000 in the mid 1980’s to approximately 30’000 today, a reduction of

85% in the last 20 years. In addition, many lion populations are small and fragmented,

making long term survival uncertain. Consequently, it has been identified as a species of

prime conservation concern. In addition to the importance of protecting the lion as a

species, “top predators” such as the lion are sensitive ecological indicators. In other

words, the health of predator populations is often a direct and reliable measure of the

overall condition of an ecosystem.

Lions killed by farmers

In 2005, 5 lions (2 ♂ and 3 ♀) and in 2006, 12

lions (8 ♂ and 4 ♀) were killed. All of these

lions were killed within 20 km of KGR and

CKGR, 4 were killed near Kaudwane. One of

these 4 was a territorial male. Removing this

male left a vacant male territory. Typically, the

new territorial male will kill cubs sired by the

former dominant male, a behaviour termed


‘infanticide.’ While pride turnovers and ensuing infanticide is a natural lion behaviour, we

are afraid that retaliatory lion killings may cause this to happen at unusually high rates.

This could destabilise the pride structures within protected areas and may have serious

impacts on the reproductive success of the Kalahari lion population in Botswana.

The seriousness of the lion-livestock conflict around Kaudwane, coupled with the number

of lions which have been killed since 2005, is what led us to develop the lion research

project in the Khutse area.

Livestock losses

We continued to computerize Problem Animal Control Report Books from the Department

of Wildlife and National Parks, which we began in 1999. Preliminary analysis of reports

indicated that, out of over 250 cattle posts in Kweneng District which reported losses to

predators, 60% of all losses to lions were reported by only 8 cattle posts. All located close

to the border to the Khutse Game Reserve. The amount of reported livestock losses to

lions around Kaudwane is in 2006 considerably higher than in recent years. The number

of 77 kills by lions in the first part of the year 2006 has already exceeded the combined

total of 70 kills for 2003-2005.

Locations of kills

Since February 2006, we are recording the GPS locations for each livestock kill around

Kaudwane. In addition, we are collecting data about prey species, sex, age, owner,

distance from owner’s kraal and estimated date and time of kill. We also gather

information on predator species, sex, age and number. The data gathered from this

research on farmland will then aid in establishing a management plan not only for the

conservation of leopards and lions but also for the minimization of the conflict between

humans and all carnivores.

3. Conservation Education

Today it is clear that effective, long-term conservation is only possible with the support of

local people. If the affected people do not see a personal or community benefit from

conserving leopards and lions, then our cause is lost. Therefore, we work to minimize the

conflict between the rural people and predators and to raise public acceptance for wildlife

and protected parks. To achieve this goal we create a link between research,


conservation and education. The data gained from the leopard and lion research is used

for educational projects with the local people.

The Settlement of Kaudwane, the home of the Basarwa, a San tribe, is most affected by

the predator problem, as it lies only 4 km from the border of Khutse Game Reserve. From

this settlement, Leopard Ecology & Conservation employs from 10 to 17 people,

depending on project requirements.

In the last 7 years, the settlement grew from only a small population to about 1000 people.

This means at present that about 1200 cattle and an unknown number of donkeys, goats,

horses, dogs and cats roam close to and, often within, the reserve.

We believe the only way to ensure the survival of the leopards, lions and other predators

is to get the local people interested in their unique ecosystem and involved in its

conservation.

In 2001, we began with various community development programs. Our projects will

directly benefit the local people and will remind them of the sustainable way in which the

San used to live in harmony with wildlife.

Animal Husbandry Centre – and Community Development Program

In Botswana, the ratio of donkeys to humans is the highest in the world at 0.184 (source:

FAO, Food and Agriculture Organisation, 2005). In Kaudwane, due to mistreatment,

neglect and constant walking in sand, the animals often show heavy deformation of

hooves and festering wounds caused by improper bridals and shackles which cut into the

skin.

In 2004, we developed a Help-through-Self-Help animal husbandry program for horses

and donkeys. It currently employs 2 men who travel around the village and to surrounding

cattle posts trimming hooves, carrying for minor wounds, and providing fly and tick spray.

These efforts both alleviate the suffering of the animals and improve their productivity for

the owners. We have received many requests to include cattle in this project. This

program gives us an opportunity to win the trust of villagers, which will leave them more

open to future collaboration in our predator conservation efforts.


We are currently planning an Animal Husbandry Centre in Kaudwane, where farmers can

bring their livestock to be treated for minor afflictions and properly maintained.

Our goal is for this project to become independent from Leopard Ecology & Conservation

and to become a self-sustaining business in Kaudwane, thereby giving some people in

the village the opportunity to generate their own income.

Itsoseng Non-Profit-Shop

Since 2002, a San woman has been selling clothes and accessories which are regularly

donated by different companies and private people in Switzerland. The money raised is

used to pay for school projects, for example the school garden which we initiated in 2003

and the chicken coop in 2004.

In 2006, The “Khutse Leopard Trust” applied for a plot on which to construct a non-profit

shop. All profits from this shop will be used for community projects, such as after school

activities for young people, a theatre club, and any further projects the community seems

interested in. In addition, the shop shall also give at least two people a regular income.

Community Garden

We had intended to initiate a community garden based on the design of our camp

garden. However, due to the failure of past community gardens which were initiated by

other NGOs, we are reconsidering. Instead, we would prefer to work with one or two

individuals from the village who show an interest in gardening. We will try to develop this

into another small business in Kaudwane. This will allow more villagers to generate their

own income and provide cheaper vegetables for the village, most of which are currently

transported to Kaudwane from distant villages.

Information Centre

Our vision is an Information Centre, which will serve as a headquarter for community

projects, such as school projects and theatres with a museum celebrating the unique

culture and skills of the San. Therefore, we started the long application process for a plot

near Kaudwane on which to develop this Centre. It will also provide a venue for farmer


workshops to be hosted by Leopard Ecology & Conservation. They will aim to inform local

farmers on new farming methods and will provide a forum for discussion of wildlife issues

and development of livestock protection strategies. Finally, this centre will provide

information to tourists on the beauty and uniqueness of the Kalahari.

We would like to build this centre close to the park so that it is accessible to both, villagers

and tourists.

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