Namibia
National Parks and Reserves
In Namibia, natural parks and nature reserves constitute approximately 18% of the country´s total area. These parks are a great tourist attraction and often also offer a wide range of adventure activities, camping, hiking and nature.
Some of Namibia's conservation areas belong to and are managed by the government and others by the private sector. 20 state reserves are owned by the government and are managed by the Ministry of Environment and Tourism (MET) and the Directorate of Parks and Wildlife Management. Namibia Wildlife Resorts (NWR) manages the 12 government-owned resorts in these parks and reserves.
Namibia was the first country in the world to include environmental protection in its constitution. Protection of endangered species began in 1972. In the eighties, protection of the black rhinoceros was promoted and Namibia became one of the few countries in Africa where the number of black rhinos and cheetahs increased, inside and outside of national parks (both species are catalogued as endangered internationally). Since the country´s independence, the private sector has become increasingly involved in wildlife conservation and there has been a rapid increase in the number and size of private conservation areas.
More information: http://turismo-responsable.com/en-s40-avistamientos
Poaching
Just 150 years ago, the African savannas were full of rhinos and other wild animals. However, hunting for ivory and rhino horns, driven by strong demand for these materials in China and other parts of Asia, has decimated entire populations of animals throughout Africa. This is why it is so important for tourists not to buy souvenirs made from animal products, including ivory. In addition to being illegal, the demand for these products seriously endangers several species. Another problem in Namibia is "canned hunting", a business where tourists from all over the world pay large amounts of money to be able to hunt animals (especially lions) in small spaces where failure of the hunter is impossible.
More information: http://turismo-responsable.com/en-s41-souvenirs; http://turismo-responsable.com/en-s96-caza-enlatada
Seal culling
Namibia is the only country in the southern hemisphere where controlled seal culling is carried out. Although the protection and sustainable use of natural resources is part of the country's constitution, such slaughter is authorized due to the large amount of fish that these animals consume. Despite the studies presented by the government, according to the animal protection organization Seal Alert South Africa the losses caused for commercial fishing are less than 0.3%.
The culling takes place from July to November in two sites, Cape Cross and Atlas Bay, and in the past also in Wolf Bay. The colonies of these areas together represent 75% of the seal population throughout the country. Cape Cross is a tourist complex and the Department of Tourism has pointed out that the “Cape Cross Seal Reserve was established to protect the largest seal breeding colony in the world.” During the tourist season, the complex is closed and sealed during the early morning hours, that is when the culling takes place.
In 2009, Seal Alert tried to end the culling by raising money to acquire the only seal buyer in Namibia, the Hatem Yavuz Company based in Australia. 14,200,000 dollars were needed and unfortunately the project did not materialize. The Government of Namibia, for its part, offered the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) the possibility of buying the two seal hunter companies to end the culling. The offer was rejected. In 2011, in response to the culling, South African activists launched a boycott of tourism and Namibian products.
For more information: http://www.thesealsofnam.org/boycott-namibia/
Camel rides
Camel rides are usually very popular among tourists. Unfortunately, camels suffer many of the same problems as working horses such as overwork and injuries. Although camels seem strong and have a reputation of being tough animals, daily work with tourists and extreme heat of the desert can be very harmful to their health. For this reason, it is important to inform yourself about the problems that may affect them and, if you want to hire one of these tours, do so with a responsible provider.
For more information on the topic: http://turismo-responsable.com/en-s30
Cheetah encounters
Some centers in Namibia offer tourists the possibility of taking photos with cheetahs. As cheetahs are wild animals, these are forced interactions in which animals may be sedated, and they can be very dangerous for people as well. In order to use animals in this type of activities, it is necessary to take them away from their mothers at a very early age (so that they imprint on people instead of other members of their species) and the constant handling and contact with humans can be extremely stressful. The whereabouts of these animals once they have grown and reached their maximum strength, is also uncertain.
More information about photos with wild animals: http://turismo-responsable.com/en-s15
Here is a list of local NGOs that can be contacted in case you want to make a donation, a complaint or find an animal that needs help in Namibia:?
Tierschutzverein Swakopmund (SPCA)
Recommended projects and rescue centers:
Namibia Animal Rehabilitation Research & Education Centre (NARREC)
