Water Availability And Chemical Water Quality As Important Factors For Sustainable Wildlife Management In The Etosha National Park And For Domestic Stock In Farming Areas Of Namibia

Abstract

This study deals with the role of water availability and chemical water quality for the game species Springbok Antidorcas marsupialis, Blue wildebeest Connochaetes taurinus, Burchell’s zebra Equus burchelli and Gemsbok Oryx gazella, in order to gain knowledge of how the adapted wildlife utilises water. In detail, the study investigates the changes of the water availability and chemical quality of water at perennial and seasonal waterholes within a study area of the Etosha National Park, Northern Namibia, throughout the year 1995. It further examines how the animals react to these seasonal changes i.e. in their drinking frequency, their utilisation of perennial and seasonal waterholes, their utilisation of different chemical qualities of water, their ‘acceptance limits’ of high salinities of water, their daily and seasonal movements and their utilisation of grazing areas. Highly and lowly utilised areas are identified and the reasons analysed. The study concludes with recommendations for the Park Management of Etosha and for decision makers in other national parks, conservancies and farming areas with reference to the Four Os region of Namibia.