Abstract:
The research projects undertaken by the Nature Conservation and Tourism Division of the South West Africa Administration are scheduled according to certain priorities. These priorities are determined by the Director in consultation with hi8 research staff. Projects on the ecology and behaviour of endangered species head the list. This is normally followed by translocation of these species to areas where their survival may be ensured. Animals which, owing to their habits or life requirements, come into competition with man and his livestock, aptly named 'problem animals') also rate a high priority. With the Hartmann zebra, Eguus zebra hartmannae, the problem arises that it is both an endangered species as well as a I problem animal 1 • The Hartmann zebra occur for the greater part of their distribution on the mountainous zone along the Namibia desert., This area is extremely marginal.. They still occur in reasonable numbers and during drought years especially, present serious competition to livestock for grazing. Stampeding herds of Hartmann zebra occasionally cause damage to fences. Although Hartmann zebra are declared Specially Protected Game and no hunting without permits is allowed, it was found that they were being illegally exterminated at an alarming rate. Furthermore, with the implementation of the Odendaal Commission: s proposals, it so happened that the Hartmann zebra as a species was not properly protected in any of the existing game reserves.. This was mainly due to the lack of suitable habitat in the game reserves. The Administration of South West Africa, bought a farm in the Naukluft Mountains. This farm is situated in typical Hartmann zebra habitat and was proclaimed as a game reserve especially for Hartmann zebra. It is, however, comparatively small, does not conform to certain ecological principles, and would not have supported a representative sample of Hartmann zebra. At approximately the same time the whole area was in the grip of a very severe drought and because of mounting pressure by farmers, something had be done about the Hartmann zebra problem. It was decided by the Director that a research project should be launched to determine the status, distribution, ecology, behaviour and population dynamics of the Hartmann zebra. The results of this project will enable the Administration of South West Africa to formulate a policy that will ensure the survival of a representative sample of the Hartmann zebra population in South West Africa and also satisfy the farming community.
