ABSTRACT. Land use planning where competing human development and wildlife conservation intersects requires approaches that incorporate the priorities and preferences of diverse stakeholders. In Chobe District, Botswana, increasing competition for land among agricultural production, settlement expansion, livestock production, and wildlife habitats presents a significant challenge to sustainable and socially responsive land use planning. Conventional planning approaches may inadequately capture stakeholders’ preferences and local knowledge, contributing to land use and human-wildlife conflicts. The study assessed how stakeholders’ land use priorities can be integrated into land use planning in Pandamatenga, Chobe District. The study adopted the Land Use Conflict Identification Strategy (LUCIS) as spatial and evidence-based planning approach. The study used a methodological and literature-based approach. Data on stakeholders’ priorities were collected using household questionnaires and focus group discussions with targeted land use groups. The Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) was applied to assign weights to stakeholder-defined priorities and incorporate their preferences into spatial suitability modelling using PyLUSATQ plug-in in QGIS. The findings demonstrate that LUCIS can translate stakeholder priorities into spatial planning information. Incorporating stakeholder preferences through weighted overlay analysis and AHP differentiated areas suitable and unsuitable for specific land use goals and objectives. Integrating stakeholder knowledge was also found to facilitate human-wildlife conflict mitigation by identifying land use options that better reflect community needs while considering wildlife habitat requirements. This integration can reduce competition for space and support planning decisions that minimise potential human-wildlife conflict and associated threats to local community livelihoods and wellbeing. The study is particularly relevant to the Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA), where transboundary conservation and community livelihoods intersect. By providing a participatory spatial framework, LUCIS can support coordinated KAZA land use planning, strengthen community participation, and balance conservation and development.

ABSTRACT. Lion depredation on livestock is a persistent problem in communal areas adjacent to protected wildlife habitat in Zimbabwe. The study determined the spatial distribution and livestock management determinants of lion depredation in Wards 3 and 4 of the Mola community, Nyaminyami Communal Lands, from January 2022 to December 2025. Data came from Community Guardians operating under Wildlife Conservation Action, recorded through the Spatial Monitoring and Reporting Tool, with GPS-referenced incident records verified by spoor identification and carcass examination. The data were analysed in R version 4.2.5 and QGIS version 3.42 using chi-square tests and kernel density estimation. A total of 95 depredation incidents were recorded across the study period. Kernel density estimation identified a persistent high-density conflict zone in the central and north-eastern sections of Ward 3, associated with proximity to Matusadona National Park. Annual incidents declined from 44 in Ward 3 in 2022 to 3 in 2025, with Ward 3 recording consistently higher counts than Ward 4 throughout the study period. Season was a significant determinant of depredation frequency in both wards (Ward 3: χ² = 13.12, p = 0.00029; Ward 4: χ² = 14.00, p = 0.00049), with dry season incidents dominant in Ward 3 and all 14 recorded incidents in Ward 4 occurring in the wet season. Goats were the most frequently attacked species (n = 55, 57.9%), followed by donkeys (n = 22, 23.2%) and cattle (n = 16, 16.8%). Attack location did not significantly predict overall incident frequency (χ² = 1.60, p = 0.449), but 38.9% of attacks occurred inside kraals. The species-by-location association was highly significant (χ² = 35.19, p < 0.001), with goats dominant in kraal-based attacks and donkeys and cattle disproportionately attacked in unsupervised pastures. Kraal construction quality and inadequate livestock supervision are the primary vulnerability pathways in this conflict corridor.

ABSTRACT. Over 70% of the KAZA TFCA occurs within livestock-wildlife interface zones. Mangwe Lower Shashe concessson (27,000-ha) sits directly on the Zimbabwe-Botswana KAZA boundary, with seasonal elephant movement linking it to the wider transboundary system. Therefore, within this landscape, communal livestock and free-ranging wildlife compete for the same forage and water resources. Site-specific spatial evidence on biomass distribution and competition risk has been lacking. The study sought to quantify and map above-ground biomass (AGB) in 2024-2025, assess woody and herbaceous species composition and diversity, examine livestock and wildlife distribution relative to AGB, and identify livestock-wildlife competition hotspots. Field biomass was measured across 60 stratified plots using allometric equations, combined with Sentinel-2 vegetation indices in an OLS regression model. Livestock and wildlife occurrence data were analysed using kernel density estimation and raster overlay to generate a standardised competition index. Total AGB was estimated at 241,448 Mg (mean 8.75 Mg/ha, range 6.30–14.50), with carbon stock of 113,480 Mg C (416,475 Mg CO₂-eq). The forage availability across the concession is limited and unevenly distributed, implying that livestock and wildlife are likely competing intensely for biomass in the higher-yielding patches while large portions of the landscape offer marginal grazing value. The Sentinel-2 model explained 16% of field biomass variation, reflecting known limitations of optical indices in structurally complex savannas. High and very-high livestock-wildlife competition hotspots were concentrated around water-linked habitats, though these are interpreted as zones of potential interaction pressure rather than confirmed competition. This study provides a spatial baseline transferable to grazing-zoning, water-point planning and coexistence management elsewhere in KAZA.

ABSTRACT. K. Nyikahadzoi, L. Mhlanga, S. Kusangaya, J Matai, W. Zimunya and P. Warinda In sub-Saharan Africa, rural communities adjacent to protected areas bear severe costs from biodiversity conservation with minimal economic returns. In Zimbabwe’s Nyaminyami District—a pioneer of the Communal Areas Management Programme for Indigenous Resources (CAMPFIRE)—growing human populations, expanding settlements, and climate variability have intensified Human-Wildlife Conflict (HWC) within the Matusadonha National Park and Kavango Zambezi (KAZA) Transfrontier Conservation Area landscape. This study investigated community perceptions of HWC, institutional governance, and conservation equity to inform sustainable landscape zonation and policy optimization under the Nyaminyami Integrated Land Use and Land Management Plan (2025–2035). Employing a mixed-methods participatory planning approach, the study combined Focus Group Discussions (FGDs), Key Informant Interviews (KIIs), and broad-based ward consultations across high-conflict sectors (Wards 1, 4, 6, 7, 8, and 10) with an analysis of secondary HWC incident records (2021–2024, N=1,300) and GIS spatial hotspot modeling. Incident analyses revealed that crop destruction dominated HWC events (47.1%), primarily driven by African elephants (42.7% of total incidents), followed by livestock predation (39.0%), predominantly by hyenas (24.9%) and lions (9.9%). Spatially, Ward 9 (16.4%), Ward 8 (11.7%), Ward 4 (10.8%), and Ward 1 (10.5%) experienced the highest conflict densities. Qualitative findings highlighted deep-seated institutional grievances: communities perceived conservation authorities as prioritizing animal welfare over human lives. The historical breakdown of CAMPFIRE revenue-sharing mechanisms has eroded local stewardship, fostering conditional support for conservation tied strictly to tangible economic benefits, compensation, and safety guarantees. Unmitigated HWC and procedural injustices threaten both local food security and long-term conservation goals. Reversing landscape degradation and community hostility requires spatial land-use zoning, Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) principles, decentralized governance, and equitable benefit-sharing mechanisms that align community livelihoods with wildlife protection.

ABSTRACT. Livestock predation by carnivores is the primary driver of human-wildlife conflict in communities bordering protected areas within the Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA TFCA). This study examined predation patterns and economic losses in Mabale Wards 14-17 of Hwange District, Zimbabwe, which border Hwange National Park and Sikumi Forest, over January 2023 to December 2024. The study applied a retrospective design to 289 incidents recorded by the Long Shield Lion Guardians (WildCRU) through the SMART monitoring platform across 19 villages. Spatial clustering was assessed using kernel density estimation in QGIS. Seasonal and predator-specific associations were tested with chi-square analysis, and economic losses were compared across wards using the Kruskal-Wallis H test following a Shapiro-Wilk test of normality. Predation hotspots concentrated in Ward 15 and along the Sikumi Forest-private park boundary, with high conflict intensity extending beyond ward boundaries into the protected areas themselves. Season showed no significant association with incident frequency (χ² = 0.673, df = 1, p = 0.412), indicating chronic year-round predation pressure rather than a dry-season-only pattern, although incidents were numerically higher in the dry season across both years. Predator type significantly determined which livestock species were targeted (χ² = 398.889, df = 25, p < 0.001, Cramer's V = 0.524): lions recorded the broadest prey range, attacking all five livestock categories, while jackals and leopards each attacked only one. Predation resulted in 432 livestock mortalities and 95 injuries. Total economic losses reached US$65,155 and differed significantly among wards (χ² = 10.589, df = 3, p = 0.014), with Ward 15 bearing the highest burden (US$27,260) and cattle accounting for 78.6% of total losses. These results identify Sikumi Forest as an active conflict corridor rather than a buffer between the park and communal land, and provide ward-level spatial and economic evidence to support geographically targeted human-carnivore conflict mitigation within the wider KAZA landscape.

ABSTRACT. Transboundary rivers and their fisheries are known to have competing legal systems that pose a challenge to governance. At the centre of this effect are fishers. Using Legal Pluralism, this paper explores effects of such a pluralistic environment in the Kwando Basin to the fishery practice and its governance. The methods used were document analysis of legal documents, interviews and focus group discussion of key informants. The study found patterns of forum shopping in the coexisting informal and formal rules that are disconnected to reality. At the core of the disconnection are varying perceptions of the Kwando River as a boundary between Angola and Zambia. This uncertainty and navigation of multiple legal systems create vulnerability for fishers and threaten both livelihoods and food security. The study recommends context-specific co-management of fisheries with recognition of local rules and hybrid institutional arrangements that emerge from navigating the legally plural Kwando River Basin.

ABSTRACT. While floods and droughts dominate Zimbabwe’s disaster management discourse, heat stress remains one of Zimbabwe’s most under-recognized climate hazard, slowly eroding livelihoods and health. This Chapter investigates the long-term heat stress trends of Binga district, a region topographically predisposed to extreme temperatures due to its low-lying position in the Zambezi Valley. We examine heat as a slow-onset disaster, investigating long-term trends from 1985 to 2025 utilizing open-access climate data (CHIRTS-daily and ERA5-Land) processed using open access software. The spatial distribution of the ambient heat phenomenon is also mapped across Binga’s wards. The findings reveal a troubling rise of this "silent killer" that is largely omitted from formal climate adaptation policies. By providing a replicable, open-source methodological framework, this chapter highlights the urgent need to transition from viewing heat as a background condition to treating it as a primary climate risk requiring immediate policy intervention. The chapter closes with low-cost monitoring recommendations, community cooling and water-prioritisation strategies, guidance on heat-resilient housing, local capacity-building in GIS as well as integration of heat indicators into national disaster management planning.

ABSTRACT. Background: As public sector institutions across Southern Africa increasingly adopt cloud computing to improve service delivery, they face growing tensions between the operational benefits of cloud infrastructure and the imperative to maintain sovereignty over citizen and state data. Much of this infrastructure is hosted by providers operating under foreign jurisdictions, raising legal, ethical, and security concerns about who ultimately controls, accesses, and governs public data. Objectives: This study examines the data sovereignty challenges facing public sector institutions in cloud adoption, with attention to regulatory gaps, cross-border data flow risks, and the governance capacity needed to manage these risks within transboundary and regional contexts such as KAZA. Methods/Approach: The research adopts a qualitative, document-based approach, combining a review of national data protection and cybersecurity policies with semi-structured interviews with public sector ICT and governance officials. Comparative analysis is used to identify common vulnerabilities and governance gaps across jurisdictions. Key Findings/Expected Contribution: Preliminary findings suggest that fragmented legal frameworks, limited institutional capacity, and reliance on foreign-owned cloud infrastructure heighten public sector exposure to data sovereignty risks. The study proposes a governance framework to guide policymakers in balancing cloud adoption benefits with sovereignty, security, and accountability requirements. Relevance to KAZA: Data governance is foundational to transboundary collaboration in conservation, health, and sustainable development. As KAZA institutions increasingly rely on shared digital platforms for cross-border data on wildlife, ecosystems, and community livelihoods, harmonized data sovereignty frameworks become essential for trust, interoperability, and effective regional cooperation among member states. Preferred Presentation Mode: Oral presentation

ABSTRACT. Human capital is foundational to sustainable development, but capability possession does not establish capability conversion, technological application or societal consequence. This study aims to identify and compare hidden capability-conversion configurations across Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe and examine their implications for transboundary capability complementarity. Using a secondary KAZA-5 comparative analysis nested within a governed 54-country African evidence architecture, Innovational STREAMEAISE ( Science, Technology, Research, Engineering, Art, Mathematics, Entrepreneurship, Artificial Intelligence and Sustainable Education) is examined alongside eleven non-collapsible Ethical–Morality institutional-stewardship dimensions: Sovereignty, Truth, Resilience, Ethics, Developmental Assertiveness, Institutionalised Moral Responsibility, Adaptive Adjustment, Evaluation, Introspection, Sustainability and Excellence. Each KAZA country is evaluated independently before comparison, by preserving VALUE, authenticated zero, Not Evaluable and Pending states and distinguishing capability level from conversion state.

Results reveal heterogeneous hidden capability-conversion configurations rather than one KAZA capability profile. Non-collapse exposes differences in capability structure, formation–production–conversion relationships, stewardship configurations and evidence visibility concealed by aggregate human-capital or innovation indicators. The analysis identifies a Missing Middle between observable knowledge production and common commensurable evidence of application, precluding assumptions that knowledge automatically becomes application or transboundary societal capability.

The study advances a KAZA Transboundary Capability Complementarity Proposition: sustainable cooperation may depend less on capability uniformity than on identifying, connecting, synchronising and responsibly coordinating differentiated national capabilities towards shared transboundary functions. It recommends establishing a KAZA-5 Capability-Conversion Observatory and common transboundary evidence protocol to map capability complementarities and conversion discontinuities and trace research and knowledge into applications serving shared People:Nature:Health priorities. This reframes “One KAZA” from capability sameness towards capability visibility, complementarity and responsible conversion. Future Generations’ Sovereignty, sustainable transboundary futures and The Africa We Want remain interconnected transformation horizons rather than outcomes demonstrated by the present evidence.

ABSTRACT. The Kavango Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA) spans about 520,000 square kilometres across Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe and holds the world's largest transboundary elephant population, estimated at 227,900 in the 2022 KAZA Elephant Survey. Zambia is the only range state recording a decline, at an estimated 3,840 elephants, while illegal rosewood logging costs the country about US$3.2 million a year and charcoal, meeting roughly 87% of domestic energy demand, drives further woodland loss. Ranger patrols cannot observe such landscapes continuously, so gunshots, tree cutting and fire events often go undetected. Continuous surveillance of protected areas is constrained by large patrol zones, intermittent connectivity and limited monitoring resources. This study presents Eco-Guardian Mobile, a low-cost, portable edge-artificial-intelligence acoustic monitoring prototype designed to support early detection and verification of selected conservation threats such as gunshots, fire-related sounds, footsteps and tree-cutting activity while operating under field conditions with limited network coverage. The prototype integrates an Android smartphone, external omnidirectional microphone, rugged weather-resistant enclosure and regulated solar/power-bank supply. A Flutter-based application performs on-device sound classification, applies confidence thresholds and repeat-detection rules, and records the predicted class, confidence score, timestamp, GPS position and device-health information. An offline-first architecture stores events locally and synchronises alerts when connectivity becomes available. Initial model preparation draws on UrbanSound8K and AudioSet, with local park soundscape data proposed for calibration and retraining. Deployment readiness was assessed through hardware integration, application operation, event creation, GPS tagging, local storage and alert-workflow checks. However, detection precision, recall, range, false-alarm burden, latency, battery endurance and weather resistance remain to be established through a controlled pilot at Lusaka National Park. Eco-Guardian Mobile offers a potentially scalable and locally adaptable approach for strengthening evidence-based ranger response and conservation-technology research in KAZA protected-area contexts, while retaining human verification, privacy safeguards and responsible data governance.

ABSTRACT. Tourism is widely promoted as a pathway to regional development and job creation, particularly in low-income countries. Governments often assume that areas with similar wildlife and landscape attractions will develop in comparable ways. However, in practice, tourism growth is often uneven. This is evident in the KAZA area, where Namibia’s Zambezi Region has developed more slowly as a tourism destination than neighbouring Chobe in Botswana and Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, despite shared natural assets and increasing regional connectivity. This paper examines uneven tourism development across these three interconnected tourism destinations. It first compares tourism activity and local economic capture using night-time lights data and tourism statistics to explain how tourism activities are unevenly distributed across the region. It then traces the evolution of these tourism destinations to understand why tourism pathways have developed unevenly. Finally, the paper proposes a framework for developing the region into a single coordinated one-stop tourism destination encompassing Victoria Falls, Chobe and the Zambezi Region. In doing so, it identifies the key potentials and drawbacks of developing a one-stop regional tourism destination, offering insights for policymakers working toward more equitable tourism development and benefits. This paper argues that more balanced tourism development across the region requires institutional coordination and development strategies that allow for seamless cross-border tourism operations, which will enable the Zambezi region to benefit from the neighbouring tourism dynamics.

ABSTRACT. Paulinus Ndumba Sindumba1, Eliakim Hamunyelah2, Rosemary Shikangalah3 University of Namibia, Namibia

Despite being essential for determining socioecological impacts, burned area spatial and temporal variability and correlations with climate in Northeast Namibia remain underexplored. Therefore, the present study determined recurrence, interannual variability, and trends (Mann-Kendall test and Sen’s slope), intramonthly patterns, and correlated rainfall and land surface temperature with burned area, burn frontiers, and burn classes to assess spatiotemporal shifts across land covers from 2001 to 2024. This was done by integrating and triangulating the MODIS Land Cover Type 1 (MCD12Q1), Burned Area (MCD64A1), Land Surface Temperature, and CHIRPS datasets with Landsat fire data and in situ methods. The burn seasonality distribution analysis reveals spatially and temporally heterogeneous, clustered, frequent fires (≥ 10 burns) with shorter return intervals (1-3 years) in August and September, where peak densities are confined to weeks 36 to 40. The inter-annual variability of burned area and climate variables depicts a non-significant decreasing trend in rainfall (Z= -1.067, p=0.2862 at a Sen slope rate of 5.98 mm) and temperature (Z= -0.003, p= -0.8233, at a Sen Slope of -0.014 °C), compared to the significant burned area (Z = -3.249, p = 0.0012) with a change of 593.9 km2/year throughout the time series. The inter-monthly rainfall variability with burned area depicts a significantly negative correlation (Spearman’s ρ = -0.706, p = <0.001), an indication of burn suppression during wet months. The land surface temperature correlated with burned area shows a weak negative correlation (Spearman’s ρ = -0.019), which is not a confirmed monotonic relationship (ρ = 0.4884). The burn dynamics also reveal dominance of mid-fires (165349 km2), more than the early (155161 km2), persistent (117630 km2), and the lowest late-fires (24818 km2). This is accompanied by the dominance of stable-fire frontiers (265537 km2) over transitional (126118 km2), contraction (61203 km2), and the lowest emerging fires (10101 km2). These outcomes provide essential data and information for fire management.

Preferred Mode of Presentation: In person

ABSTRACT. Zambia’s Kafue River Basin is a large but under-quantified carbon reservoir. This study presents a spatially stratified, field-based assessment of carbon stocks across three ecologically distinct sub-basins. Stratified random sampling (18 plots per sub-basin) revealed clear spatial variation: the Upper Kafue miombo woodlands exhibited the greatest above-ground carbon (34.61 t C ha⁻¹), while the Lower Kafue wetlands stored the greatest below-ground carbon (99.44 t C ha⁻¹) and soil organic carbon (48.32 t C ha⁻¹). The Middle Kafue, characterised by mixed land use, recorded the least total carbon stocks (135.75 t C ha⁻¹). Analysis of Variance (ANOVA; F (2, 51) = 167.95, p < 0.0001) indicated statistically significant differences among sub-basins. Scaling these results suggests an estimated basin carbon stock of approximately 2,370.85 Mt C (8,700.99 Mt CO2-e), highlighting substantial climate carbon storage significance. These findings may provide a baseline for nature-based climate solutions and spatially targeted conservation strategies in sub-Saharan Africa.

ABSTRACT. A series of 35 African elephant (Loxodonta africana) mortalities in Zimbabwe in the hot, dry season of 2020 were attributed to Bisgaard taxon 45 (Bt45), a close relative of Pasteurella multocida. Pathological investigation showed that elephants had died of septicaemia, similar to haemorrhagic septicaemia caused by P. multocida, not previously associated with Bt45. Mortalities from Bt45 are not easily distinguishable from anthrax in the field.

Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust conducts disease surveillance in wildlife in Zimbabwe and, since 2021, has included Bt45 in its screening, using selective culture media and PCR. Samples from 79 elephant postmortems and 101 live, or healthy/culled, elephants were tested from mid-2024 to August 2026. Many elephant carcasses were located using tracked vultures. A total of 31 elephant carcasses and 14 live elephants tested positive for Bt45. Anthrax was identified as the cause of death in a further 9 mortalities, including one semi-captive elephant which had been vaccinated against anthrax twice in the past year. Bt45 was also isolated from one dead bushbuck and one sable, plus dead vultures and lions (2 each), and was also isolated from the oral swabs of 18 live, healthy lions.

The sampling since 2021 has helped to identify this bacterium in elephant mortalities that occurred during the late rains, or early (cool) dry season of 2025 and 2026, which is in contrast to 2020. It suggests that Bt45 may be a cause of sporadic elephant mortalities, but with the potential for larger mortality events under specific, but unknown, conditions. The role of carrier hosts is still unclear, but the isolation of the bacterium from healthy, live animals suggests that it may function as an opportunistic pathogen like P. multocida. Much remains to be learned about the distribution and ecology of Bt45 in the region.

ABSTRACT. Background and Objectives: Egyptian fruit bats (Rousettus aegyptiacus) are recognized reservoirs of orthomarburgviruses, pathogens responsible for severe haemorrhagic fever in humans. In Zambia, orthomarburgviruses were detected in bats from a Lusaka Province cave in 2018 and 2022. Phylogenetic analysis of nucleoprotein genes revealed close relatedness (≥99% identity) to viruses that caused outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (2000) and Zimbabwe (1975), suggesting extensive bat mobility and inter‑colony viral transmission. However, ecological knowledge of Egyptian fruit bats remains limited. Methods To address this gap, short‑term (33 bats) and long‑term (32 bats) GPS dataloggers were deployed between 2022 and 2024, complemented by ground‑truthing in 2025. Key findings Short‑term tracking demonstrated nightly foraging flights up to 80 km, with bats entering populated areas and suspected cave sites along the Zambezi escarpment. Seasonal variation was evident: in October, coinciding with fruiting of mango and other trees, bats foraged closer to homesteads. Observations confirmed use of wild fruit trees and shelter trees for feeding. Long‑term tracking revealed transboundary movements, including flights into Mana Pools National Park, Zimbabwe. Population genomics further showed that Zambian and Zimbabwean bat populations are not genetically isolated, indicating frequent inter‑colony migration and potential viral exchange. These findings highlight the ecological behaviors of Egyptian fruit bats that facilitate viral transmission across colonies and borders. Demonstrated bat movements into Mana Pools confirm that viral reservoirs traverse KAZA boundaries, making disease ecology a shared regional concern. These results emphasize the need for coordinated One Health surveillance and policy integration within KAZA, linking conservation, public health, and cross‑border collaboration to mitigate zoonotic spillover risks.

Prefered presentation mode: Oral presentation

ABSTRACT. The current qualitative research investigates the viewpoints of how educational leaders perceive the use of social networking sites by some of the selected higher schools in Namibia's Khomas Region. The case study approach was utilized with semi-structured interviews to capture detailed information about how social media websites are perceived and used within school administration and educational leadership. The study recruited fifteen participants: five principals and ten HODs from five higher schools. Thematic analysis was used to explore emergent trends and perceptions. The findings, as reported in response to the study research questions, indicate that education leaders perceive social networking sites to be an efficient way of promoting interaction and cooperation but are concerned about confidentiality, ethical behaviour, and policy loopholes. Members did, however, identify issues of potential misuse, privacy, and the absence of policy guidelines. The findings indicate that despite the revolutionary power of social media being acknowledged by the school authorities, its proper use calls for developed policies, ethical concerns, and collaborative capacity development. The proposals include adopting official rules, developing proficiency in digital instruction, and promoting ethical use of social networking websites in administration.

ABSTRACT. Convivial conservation is an emerging political ecology framework that rejects traditional "fortress conservation" (separating nature from humans) and market-driven "capitalist conservation". Instead, it promotes integrated, equity-based coexistence and acknowledges importance of local communities sharing the economic, spatial, and ecological realities of living alongside wildlife. Convivial conservation or coexistence is the ideal pinnacle model of wildlife conservation. However, lived realities especially for proximal communities cohabiting with wildlife defer otherwise. The study assesses the potential for migration from traditional to convivial (pleasant and warm) conservation across the Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA TFCA) encompassing Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe. It considers the impact of strict border fencing and separation, volatile eco-tourism revenue dependence, top-down policy dictates, isolated ecological law enforcement, advent of human-wildlife conflict (HWC) compensatory mechanisms and transboundary funding effects on other effective areas-based conservation measures (OECMs) for offtake of convivial conservation principle. Mapping of OECMs, recognised wildlife migration corridors, wildlife eco-tourism revenue dynamics and review of compensatory mechanism for HWC forms the main analyses. The main findings form the basis for exploring the feasibility of convivial conservation in the KAZA TCFA through the lens of co-existence, decommodification, local empowerment, economic change, and true devolution and democracy of wildlife governance.

ABSTRACT. A feeding trial was conducted indoors at the Kamutjonga Inland Fisheries Institute (KIFI) to assess the effects of feeding frequency on growth performance, feed utilisation and survival of juvenile Three-spotted tilapia (Oreochromis andersonii) during an active 28-day grow-out period, from June 2026 to July 2026. A completely randomized block design using nine 1,500-liter Plastic tanks, replicated thrice, was employed. A total of 270 fingerlings (initial mean weight: 8.33 ± 0.00 g; mean length: 64.07 ± 0.00 mm) were sourced from an on-site hatchery and subsequently deployed into nine experimental tanks for the trial. A fixed daily baseline ration of 4.167 g per feeding session was tested at three feeding frequencies: Treatment A was fed once daily (09:00 AM), Treatment B was fed twice daily (09:00 AM and 13:00 PM), and Treatment C was fed three times daily (09:00 AM, 13:00 PM, and 17:00 PM). The final individual weight and Specific Growth Rate (~16.8 g and ~2.50%/day, respectively) did not differ significantly among treatments (parametric one-way ANOVA, p = 0.451). However, the increase in feeding frequencies led to a significant increase in the Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR) from 0.53 ± 0.01 (efficient) in Treatment A to 1.85 ± 0.05 (wasteful) in Treatment C (with a highly significant variance, p < 0.001), due to severe appetite habituation and rejection of pellets. Microbial decomposition of unconsumed high-protein floor residues in the un-filtered static water columns stripped dissolved oxygen and induced toxic ammonia spikes that reduced population survival rates significantly from 88.89 ± 2.22% (Treatment A) to 78.89 ± 15.43% (Treatment C) (p = 0.048), confirming that cumulative organic loading triggers a severe threat to fish survival between weekly flushes. Feeding once at a fingerling size could make more sense, but a prolonged study on fingerlings to sub-adult size is a requirement to ascertain a suitable feeding regime for bigger fish.

ABSTRACT. Small mammals play important ecological roles in savanna ecosystems but are often overlooked in biodiversity assessments. This study assessed small mammal diversity, community composition and habitat associations in Etusis Nature Reserve and Kuzikus Wildlife Reserve, Namibia. Non- volant small mammals were sampled using Sherman live traps along transects in selected habitats for three consecutive nights in each reserve, while bats were sampled using mist nets for 8–12 nights per reserve, depending on weather conditions. Captured animals were identified using standard taxonomic keys and field guides and released at their capture sites. Species richness, abundance and diversity indices were calculated, while Bray–Curtis dissimilarity and PERMANOVA were used to compare community composition between reserves. Etusis supported greater species richness than Kuzikus, with 10 versus 6 non-volant species and 12 versus 4 bat species, respectively. However, the Simpson diversity value was higher at Kuzikus (0.648) than Etusis (0.464), indicating greater diversity and more even distribution of individuals among species at Kuzikus despite its lower species richness. Community composition differed significantly between the reserves (Bray–Curtis dissimilarity = 0.802; PERMANOVA: R² = 0.798, p = 0.001), while multivariate dispersion did not differ significantly (F = 0.568, p = 0.460), supporting differences in community composition rather than differences in dispersion. Non- volant species richness varied among microhabitats, with the highest richness recorded in plain shrubland at Etusis (6 species) and Vachellia mellifera shrubland at Kuzikus (5 species). The findings provide baseline information for small-mammal monitoring and habitat management in privately managed Namibian reserves.

ABSTRACT. Sub Theme: Policy, Governance and Transboundary Cooperation Author: Mbiganyi Emmanuel Taka Affiliation: KAZA Secretariat Background Transboundary conservation landscapes present complex governance challenges because ecological connectivity and cross-border movement can simultaneously facilitate conservation and enable natural resource trafficking. In the Kavango Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA TFCA), illegal wildlife trade, timber trafficking and associated environmental crimes exploit differences in institutional capacity, border controls and enforcement procedures across Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe. These challenges raise questions about the effectiveness of existing transboundary governance arrangements and the conditions required for sustained regional cooperation. Objective This study examines the contribution of institutional harmonisation and inter-agency cooperation to strengthening transboundary law enforcement against natural resource trafficking in KAZA. It specifically analyses capacity gaps, operational coordination, procedural harmonisation and institutional sustainability. Methodology/ Approach The study draws on evidence generated through a regional needs assessment and implementation of a Joint Transboundary Law Enforcement intervention across the five KAZA Partner States. A comparative analysis of identified institutional and operational gaps, customised Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), capacity-building interventions, inter-agency coordination mechanisms and practical enforcement tools was undertaken to assess their implications for transboundary governance.

Findings The findings indicate that operational fragmentation was a significant governance constraint, but that procedural harmonisation was achievable without undermining national legislative and institutional mandates. Training 796 frontline officers and customising SOPs across all five Partner States strengthened operational preparedness and inter-agency understanding. However, staff turnover, inconsistent SOP implementation, limited post-project monitoring and weak institutional ownership present significant risks to sustainability. Contribution and Relevance to KAZA The study contributes to understanding how transboundary governance can move beyond coordination towards institutionalised enforcement systems. It argues that sustained regional cooperation requires formal adoption of harmonised procedures, institutionalised capacity development, joint operations, intelligence sharing and technology-enabled enforcement. Such an architecture is critical to achieving KAZA Treaty objectives while simultaneously strengthening biodiversity conservation, regional security, sustainable resource governance and community livelihoods. Keywords: Transboundary governance; natural resource trafficking; law enforcement; institutional harmonisation; inter-agency cooperation; KAZA TFCA; transboundary cooperation. Preferred Presentation Mode: Oral Presentation

ABSTRACT. Background: Public sector institutions face mounting pressure to comply with emerging data protection and technology regulations, even as many jurisdictions in Southern Africa still lack finalized legal frameworks. This creates a compliance environment marked by uncertainty, inconsistent enforcement, and reliance on ad hoc sector-specific rules rather than comprehensive legislation. Objectives: This study analyses how public sector organizations across the region interpret and operationalize data protection and sovereignty requirements in the absence of, or transition toward, comprehensive national legislation, and identifies common compliance strategies and gaps. Methods/Approach: A comparative policy analysis is conducted across multiple public sector jurisdictions, drawing on legislative texts, regulatory bills, and policy documents, supplemented by interviews with public sector compliance and ICT officers to capture practical implementation experiences. Key Findings/Expected Contribution: Findings indicate that public sector bodies frequently rely on informal governance practices and fragmented sectoral rules while awaiting comprehensive legislation, exposing institutions to compliance and accountability risks. The study contributes a comparative compliance framework to help public institutions align technology use with evolving data protection and sovereignty obligations ahead of formal legal enactment. Relevance to KAZA: As KAZA partner states pursue harmonised regional data protection standards to support cross-border conservation and development data sharing, understanding varied public sector compliance approaches is essential for building interoperable, trust-based data governance across the transfrontier conservation area. Preferred Presentation Mode: Online presentation Keywords: Data sovereignty; Technology compliance; Public sector regulation; Comparative policy analysis; Data protection legislation; Regional harmonisation

ABSTRACT. Transforming Public Sector Data Governance through Blockchain Technology Mercy Ziezo, Jude Osakwe, International University of Management, Windhoek Namibia University of Science and Technology Background: Blockchain technology's properties of decentralisation, immutability, and transparency present potential solutions to persistent public sector data governance challenges, including data integrity, auditability, and inter-agency trust. However, adoption within public institutions in the region remains limited and largely exploratory. Objectives: This study investigates the potential applications, benefits, and barriers of blockchain adoption for public sector data governance, with a focus on use cases relevant to record-keeping, data provenance, and inter-agency data sharing. Methods/Approach: The research employs a qualitative case study approach, reviewing existing pilot blockchain initiatives in public administration globally and regionally, supplemented by expert interviews with technologists and policymakers to assess feasibility within local institutional and infrastructural constraints. Key Findings/Expected Contribution: Early findings suggest blockchain offers strong potential for enhancing data provenance and auditability in public records but faces adoption barriers including infrastructure costs, limited technical skills, and unclear regulatory treatment. The study contributes a readiness assessment framework to guide public institutions considering blockchain-based data governance solutions. Relevance to KAZA: Blockchain-enabled data governance could support tamper-proof tracking of shared conservation data, such as wildlife monitoring and resource-use records, across KAZA's multiple jurisdictions, strengthening trust and accountability in transboundary data collaboration. Keywords: Blockchain technology; Data governance; Public sector innovation; Data provenance; Distributed ledger technology; Inter-agency data

ABSTRACT. Human–elephant conflict remains a challenge for livelihoods in conservancies where agricultural production occurs alongside wildlife movement areas. This study assessed the ecological and socio-economic influence of elephant crop raiding on livelihoods in Salambala Conservancy, Zambezi Region, Namibia. Preliminary results of 200 household records indicates major livelihood consequences. Most respondents (87.0%) reported that elephant crop raiding affected household income, while 81.5% reported severe or moderate effects on household food security. Reduced food supply was reported by 85.0% of households, reduced household income by 74.5%, and increased stress or anxiety by 68.5%. Crop protection also required household resources, with 51 respondents reporting expenditure on protection measures. Reported crop-loss values had a median of approximately N$9,000 per household, with a combined value of N$1,833,300, indicating a considerable economic burden. Preliminary temporal information from the household data suggests that crop-raiding incidents are concentrated around specific periods, with April–June identified (46.5%), while 66.5% of respondents identified the dry season as the period of greatest occurrence. Night time raiding was most frequently reported (84.5%), and maize was the most commonly affected crop. The ecological component further showed that cultivated fields were generally located close to rivers and forested areas, with mean distances of 0.99 km from rivers and 0.89 km from forests, compared with 3.04 km from conservancy boundaries, indicating that many agricultural fields occur within relatively close proximity to landscape features potentially associated with elephant movement and habitat. Although 58.0% of households reported receiving wildlife-conservation benefits, 65.5% disagreed that these benefits compensate for crop losses. Nevertheless, 72.4% of respondents expressed agreement that elephants should be conserved, 80.5% considered elephants important for conservation and tourism, and 75.0% supported elephant conservation in Salambala. At the same time, 61.0% considered existing mitigation measures ineffective. These preliminary findings demonstrate a complex relationship between livelihood costs and support for elephant conservation. The study integrated incident records, GIS hotspot analysis, cost–benefit analysis, and community perceptions to provide evidence for improving mitigation, benefit sharing, and human–elephant coexistence in Salambala Conservancy.

ABSTRACT. Oryx gazella is an important large herbivore in the arid ecosystems of Namibia, including NamibRand Nature Reserve. However, long-term changes in oryx abundance and spatial distribution, and their association with environmental conditions, remain insufficiently understood. This study assessed the population abundance trend and spatial distribution of O. gazella in NamibRand Nature Reserve from 2016 to 2025 and evaluated the influence of selected environmental covariates. Ten years of game-count data were analysed across 691 monads within the reserve. Population trends were assessed using modelled annual abundance, while spatial distribution was evaluated based on the occurrence and abundance of oryx across monads. A negative binomial generalized linear mixed model was used to assess associations between abundance and Soil-Adjusted Vegetation Index (SAVI), distance to water, elevation, and year. Modelled abundance declined from approximately 1,511 individuals in 2016 to 353 in 2025, corresponding to an estimated annual rate of change of −14.91% (95% CI: −18.29 to −11.39%). Spatial distribution also contracted during the study period, with the number of occupied monads declining from 137 (19.8%) in 2016 to 55 (8.0%) in 2025, representing an approximately 59.9% reduction in occupied monads. Spatial maps further showed that areas of higher observed abundance persisted in localized parts of the reserve despite the reduction in occupied monads. Abundance was positively associated with SAVI and negatively associated with distance to water and elevation. A one-standard-deviation increase in SAVI was associated with a 44.6% increase in expected abundance, while equivalent increases in distance to water and elevation were associated with decreases of 59.7% and 63.1%, respectively. Year remained negatively associated with abundance after accounting for environmental covariates, indicating that the temporal decline was not fully explained by the measured environmental variables. Overall, the findings provide evidence of a declining population abundance trend accompanied by a reduction in the spatial extent of recorded oryx occurrence within NamibRand Nature Reserve. Changes in recorded abundance should not necessarily be interpreted as mortality or local population loss, as animal movements, detection differences, and other unmeasured factors may contribute to the observed patterns.

ABSTRACT. This study assessed the socio-economic benefit of community-based tourism for the rural women of Mashi Conservancy in Zambezi region, Namibia. Addressing three objectives, to identify socio economic benefits women drive from CBT, to the evaluate their empowerment through their participation in decision making and access to resources and to identify the structural, cultural and financial challenges limiting to fully benefit from CBT. A qualitative dominate, embedded mixed methods design (QUAL + QUAN) was applied, combining semi structured interviews with women and key informants and structured questionnaire administrated to 64 women actively involved in tourism-related activities. Analysed through thematic analysis and descriptive statistics. The findings show that CBT provides a genuinely new income stream for most women, but benefits are unevenly distributed between the formally employed and self-employed participate. Minority of women in formal lodge employment access stable, comparatively higher income, while the majority of self-employed earn modest, irregular income absorbed by immediate household needs. Empowerment outcomes are similarly mixed. While formal governance structures exist, the women participate was tokenistic on tourism. Four structural barriers were identified: proximity to tourism site, information asymmetry, disparities in education and experience and limited access to capital. The study concluded that realising CBT’s full potential for rural women in Mashi Conservancy requires deliberate action to address these structural constraints.

ABSTRACT. African savanna elephants (Loxodonta africana) require large areas to meet their nutritional, water, and movement requirements, making an understanding of habitat selection and space use important for conservation and management. The Kwando Wildlife Dispersal Area (KWDA) represents an important wildlife movement area in the Zambezi Region of Namibia; however, limited information is available on the environmental and anthropogenic factors influencing elephant habitat selection. This study investigated factors influencing elephant habitat selection and space use using GPS telemetry data from 18 African savanna elephants collected between 2018 and 2020. Individual and population-level 95% kernel density estimates were used to assess space use. Used GPS locations were compared with randomly generated available locations at a 1:10 ratio, and resource selection was assessed using generalized linear models and a generalized linear mixed model (GLMM), with elephant identity included as a random effect. Environmental and anthropogenic covariates included elevation, slope, EVI, NDWI, population density, and distances to rivers, boreholes, roads, and settlements. All covariates included in the GLMM were significantly associated with elephant habitat use (p < 0.001). Habitat use was negatively associated with elevation, slope, population density, NDWI, distance to settlements, and distance to roads, while positive associations were observed with EVI, distance to boreholes, and distance to rivers. These findings indicated that elephant habitat selection was influenced by environmental factors, including elevation, slope, vegetation greenness, and NDWI, as well as anthropogenic factors, including population density and proximity to roads and settlements. The results highlight the importance of vegetation condition, topography, human population density, and the distribution of water sources and human infrastructure in shaping elephant habitat use. The findings provide information to support habitat management, land-use planning, and human-elephant coexistence strategies in the KWDA.

ABSTRACT. Abstract

Katima Mulilo, in Namibia’s Zambezi Region, is a key gateway destination that links tourists to regional attractions and neighboring countries. Tourists may have different reasons for visiting, perceptions of destination attributes and willingness to stay longer despite the strategic location and natural and cultural resources. This study explores tourists’ perception of factors that influence travel decisions and experiential satisfaction in Katima Mulilo using the 6 A’s framework and destination pull factors. Specifically, the study examines tourists’ perceptions of Attractions, Accessibility, Amenities, Available Packages, Activities and Ancillary Services, identifies key pull factors, assesses tourists’ on-site experiences and investigates relationships between destination attributes, experiential satisfaction and behavioral intentions.

The study adopted a quantitative, exploratory-descriptive research design and used a structured questionnaire administered to domestic, SADC and international tourists in Katima Mulilo. Tourist access is through non-probability convenience sampling at tourism-related sites and visitor interaction points. Data are analyzed using descriptive statistics including frequencies, means and standard deviations . Correlation is used to explore relationships between key variables with Spearman’s rank-order correlation . 51 valid responses were collected at the time of preliminary analysis.

The preliminary findings showed that Amenities had the highest overall 6 A’s mean score (3.81/5), followed by Accessibility (3.69), while Available Packages had the lowest mean (3.20). Logistics, grocery and refueling services (3.87) and gateway position of Katima Mulilo (3.84) were the most significant pull factors. In general, experiential evaluation was moderate positive (3.51) and the mean of the willingness to recommend the destination was 3.81. Preliminary correlation analysis showed that Activities was positively associated with experiential satisfaction (ρ = 0.430, p = 0.016) and experiential satisfaction was positively associated with behavioral intentions (ρ = 0.545, p = 0.002).

The findings indicate potential to improve tourism information, activity packaging, organized experiences and infrastructure to increase longer stays and improve the tourist experience in Katima Mulilo.

ABSTRACT. Birds are important components of terrestrial ecosystems, where they contribute to essential ecological processes such as seed dispersal, pollination, insect control and nutrient cycling. Their distribution and abundance are strongly influenced by habitat conditions, making them useful indicators of changes in ecosystem structure and environmental quality. However, baseline information on avian communities remains limited in many protected and community-managed areas of Namibia. This study assessed the species composition, abundance and diversity of bird species in Salambala Conservancy, Namibia, across three major habitat types: woodland, wetland and grassland. Bird observations were conducted at sampling points distributed within the selected habitats, and individuals were identified through direct observation and vocalisations. Data were used to determine species richness, abundance, relative abundance, Shannon-Wiener diversity and species evenness. A total of 120 individual birds were recorded during the four sampling visits. Woodland recorded 16 species and 24 individuals, with a Shannon-Wiener diversity index of H′ = 2.67 and evenness of J = 0.96. Wetland recorded 8 species and 26 individuals, with H′ = 1.81 and J = 0.87. Grassland, which was surveyed during two visits, recorded a combined 15 species and 69 individuals, with H′ = 2.23 and J = 0.82. The bird community included species such as Blue Waxbill (Uraeginthus angolensis), African Grey Hornbill (Tockus nasutus), Marico Sunbird (Cinnyris mariquensis), Fork-tailed Drongo (Dicrurus adsimilis) and Grey Go-away-bird (Corythaixoides concolor). The variation in species richness, abundance and diversity among habitats suggests that habitat type influences the distribution of bird species within Salambala Conservancy. The findings provide baseline information on the local avifauna and can support future bird monitoring, habitat management and conservation planning within the conservancy.

ABSTRACT. Waterpoints influence elephant movements and interactions with people in dry landscapes. Understanding how land-use type, season, waterpoint characteristics, environmental and anthropogenic factors affect elephant waterpoint use is essential for managing water resources and conservation. Few studies have combined elephant home ranges, diel and seasonal waterpoint use behaviour, infrastructure, water quality, environmental and anthropogenic factors across different land-use types. This study was conducted across three different land-use types: protected areas; semi-protected areas; and unprotected areas. We assessed African savannah elephants’ spatial and temporal waterpoint use and identified waterpoint and environmental factors associated with use across these land-use types. GPS data from nine female elephants collected over approximately 12 months were used to estimate 95% kernel density overall home ranges and 50% core areas. Out of the 83 assessed waterpoints in the area, 50 were used by elephants. We did not find a significant difference in seasonal home range sizes, with a mean individual overall home range of 2001.7 ± 1,733.3 km2. The semi-protected areas accounted for the largest proportion of the overall home range area. Diel waterpoint use among land-use types varied significantly, with elephants using waterpoints mostly during the day. Use peaked between 11:00 and 12:00 in protected and unprotected areas, and in the early evening in semi-protected areas. Elephants spent more time around waterpoints and stayed closer to waterpoints in unprotected and protected areas, in contrast to semi-protected areas, and seasons had no effect. Infrastructure type was associated with use intensity, while no water quality and surrounding variables differed significantly between used and not used waterpoints. However, kNDVI, elevation, slope, and distance to settlements varied among land-use types. We identified that land-use type, pH, and electrical conductivity were associated with elephant waterpoint use. These findings emphasize land-use type as a key factor shaping elephant waterpoint use. Water management should therefore integrate waterpoint placement with land-use-specific elephant movement patterns, human activity, infrastructure, and water quality, rather than applying the same water provision strategies across different land-uses.

ABSTRACT. Land‑use change across Namibia’s Zambezi Region imposes unmeasured pressures on nocturnal bat communities and their ecosystem services, notably pest regulation. This study assessed relative bat acoustic activity (passes per hour, reflecting habitat use rather than absolute abundance) and species diversity across three land‑use types: intact Riverine Margin, Agricultural Field, and Urban Landscape. Passive Acoustic Monitoring (PAM) was conducted in the dry season using a full‑spectrum ultrasonic detector rotated across one site per land‑use type for three nights each. Recordings ran continuously from 30 minutes after sunset to 06:30 under low lunar illumination. Data were processed in Kaleidoscope Lite with manual spectrogram checks, followed by diversity indices (S, H′) and Negative Binomial GLMs in R. Five bat species and acoustic morphotypes were detected. The Riverine Margin showed the highest activity (26.8 passes/hour) and diversity (S = 5, H′ = 0.742), uniquely supporting clutter‑adapted horseshoe bats (Rhinolophus hildebrandtii, R. blasii). Urban sites had intermediate activity (10.8 passes/hour; S = 4, H′ = 0.584), while Agricultural Fields recorded the lowest (4.5 passes/hour; S = 2, H′ = 0.215). Fast‑flying Molossids (Tadarida aegyptiaca, Chaerephon pumilus) dominated modified habitats. These findings underscore the ecological importance of intact riparian gallery forests for sustaining bat diversity and landscape connectivity, providing a baseline for conservation and land‑use planning.

ABSTRACT. The increasing occurrence of large and severe wildfires in savanna ecosystems can produce major ecological impacts on vegetation, wildlife habitats and ecosystem functioning. In this study, we assessed the extent and severity of the 2025 wildfire in Etosha National Park, Namibia, identified the environmental drivers associated with fire occurrence and severity, and developed a spatial fire risk map to support fire management. Fire extent and severity were estimated using Sentinel-2 satellite imagery through the Normalized Burn Ratio (NBR) and differenced Normalized Burn Ratio (dNBR). Environmental predictors included vegetation, land cover, biomass, slope and elevation, which were computed in Google Earth Engine and downloaded for further analysis. A total of 1,600 random sampling points were selected across the study area, comprising 800 points within burned areas and 800 points within unburned areas, with a minimum spacing of 30 m between points. Values of the environmental covariates were extracted at the sampling points and analyzed to assess their relationships with fire occurrence and severity. The environmental variables were subsequently integrated to develop a spatial fire risk map classifying areas according to their relative levels of fire risk. The results provided information on the spatial distribution and severity of the 2025 wildfire and identified environmental conditions associated with fire patterns in Etosha National Park. The resulting fire risk map provided a spatial basis for identifying areas requiring greater attention in wildfire monitoring, prevention and management. This study contributes to improved understanding of wildfire patterns and supports evidence-based fire management and conservation planning in Etosha National Park.

ABSTRACT. Sub-theme: 3, One Health and Environmental Health (secondary: 8, Innovation, Technology and Research Methods)

Background: Anthrax and rabies are established priority zoonoses for the Kavango Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA), a landscape combining high livestock mobility, dense wildlife-livestock interfaces and limited veterinary infrastructure. Climate variability is a documented driver of zoonotic disease dynamics elsewhere, altering vector range and reproduction and, through land-use change, human-animal contact patterns; whether these mechanisms operate in the Namibian KAZA regions has not been formally assessed, nor has community-level understanding of climate-linked zoonotic disease risk in the region's remote communal areas.

Objectives: To assess baseline community understanding of climate-sensitive zoonotic disease risk in Namibian KAZA communities, and to establish and evaluate a youth-led model for community engagement and participatory disease surveillance.

Methods: A partnership between the National Youth Climate Action Network of Namibia (YOUTH4CAN), FLI/GHPP and researchers from MEFT and UNAM will recruit, train and mentor young people aged 18-35 from vulnerable communities as One Health Ambassadors, covering zoonotic disease transmission, environmental health and climate-sensitive risk for priority KAZA zoonoses (anthrax, rabies) and other climate-linked diseases (malaria, Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever, West Nile virus, Rift Valley fever). Ambassadors will lead community dialogues using pre-developed materials, extend messaging through social media, and train in participatory surveillance to report unusual animal health events, environmental disturbances and suspected human cases, feeding into existing KAZA transboundary surveillance.

Expected contribution: A trained cohort of community-based One Health Ambassadors; baseline data on community knowledge of climate-sensitive zoonotic disease risk; and an assessment of whether youth-led participatory surveillance improves event reporting in communities with limited veterinary presence.

Relevance to KAZA: Addresses two persistent gaps in the transfrontier landscape, community-based surveillance and risk communication, through a low-cost, youth-led model designed for replication across remote communal areas where official veterinary presence is sparse.

Preferred presentation mode: Oral

ABSTRACT. A gestão ambiental são instrumentos que promovem a sustentabilidade. A investigação visa analisar os instrumentos de gestão ambiental adotados pelas indústrias instaladas no Pólo de Desenvolvimento Industrial da Catumbela, província de Benguela. A presente investigação é de natureza qualitativa e descritiva, tendo utilizado a entrevista semiestruturada como técnica principal para recolha de dados, aplicada ao Chefe dos Recursos Humanos, entidade pela autorização e acompanhamento administrativo das indústrias instaladas no ferido Pólo. A análise de conteúdo permitiu organizar a informação em cinco categorias: instrumento de gestão ambiental, monitoramento e fiscalização, desafios na implementação e papel do Polo Industrial. Os resultados mostram que a adoção dos instrumentos de gestão ambiental no Pólo da Catumbela ainda é meramente normativa, cingindo-se apenas ao cumprimento mínimo da legislação ambiental. Observaram-se limitações relacionadas à insuficiência de meios técnicos, a falta de uma cultura de sustentabilidade das empresas e limitações no processo de monitoramento e fiscalização institucional. Conclui-se que, apesar dos avanços registados, os instrumentos de gestão ambiental ainda precisam de maior capacidade técnica e instrucional para se tornarem ferramentas eficientes de sustentabilidade. Sugere-se o fortalecimento da fiscalização, a formação dos envolvidos, interação entre as empresas e entidades reguladoras com vista à adoção do sistema de gestão ambiental.

ABSTRACT. Extensive goat production supports rural livelihoods in semi-arid woodlands, where seasonal variation in forage availability influences animal nutrition, vegetation use, and grazing sustainability. These interactions are particularly important in northwestern Zimbabwe, where communal livestock systems occur within a broader conservation landscape where livelihoods, woodland resources and wildlife conservation intersect. This study assessed seasonal vegetation availability, goat dietary selectivity, spatial foraging patterns, and adaptive grazing behaviour in Lupane District. A mixed-methods approach integrating farmer surveys, vegetation quadrat assessments, GPS-based foraging-site mapping and direct behavioural observations was applied across seven wards during wet and dry seasons. Vegetation selectivity, dietary diversity and seasonal dietary overlap were assessed using Ivlev’s Electivity Index, Shannon–Wiener Index and Morisita–Horn Index, respectively. Significant seasonal differences (p < 0.05) were observed in vegetation composition, forage accessibility and goat foraging responses. Wet-season conditions supported greater forage availability and dietary diversity, with goats selectively utilising nutrient-rich browse and open grassland habitats. During the dry season, goats increased woody browsing, utilised fallen leaf biomass and exhibited vertical foraging, including tree climbing on Terminalia sericea. Dietary diversity was moderate (H′ = 1.0457), while low seasonal dietary overlap (0.235) indicated substantial dietary flexibility. The findings demonstrate how goat foraging plasticity can buffer seasonal feed shortages while potentially increasing pressure on preferred woodland species. Climate-smart grazing, targeted woodland management, and community-based rangeland governance can strengthen livestock resilience while supporting biodiversity conservation. The study contributes locally grounded evidence relevant to KAZA priorities on sustainable community livelihoods and climate adaptation in semi-arid landscapes.

ABSTRACT. Access to potable water remains a critical challenge in semi-arid rural communities across sub-Saharan Africa. In Lupane District, Zimbabwe, community members face severe water vulnerability caused by unrefined raw water sources characterised by persistent aesthetic issues, including high turbidity, undesirable colouration, foul taste, recurring supply shortages, and pungent odours. This study evaluated the efficacy of combining Acacia karroo seed powder with High-Test Hypochlorite (HTH) chlorine for raw water quality improvement. The specific objectives were to: (i) assess the physicochemical and biological parameters (pH, turbidity, free chlorine, and coliforms) of treated raw water; (ii) determine the optimal dosage of Acacia karroo bio-coagulant (5 g, 10 g, 15 g, 20 g, and 25 g) alongside a standardised HTH chlorine treatment; and (iii) evaluate the cost-effectiveness and rural community acceptability of substituting synthetic chemical coagulants with locally harvested Acacia karroo material. An experimental laboratory-based water treatment design was executed using six treatment setups. Treatment 1 served as the control using standard HTH chlorine only, while Treatments 2 through 6 evaluated HTH chlorine integrated with incremental masses of ground Acacia karroo seed powder (5 g to 25 g). Standard laboratory water quality control tests were conducted to determine whether the treated water met potable safety standards. Additionally, a sensory evaluation panel assessed aesthetic parameters through visual observation, taste, and smell. The integration of Acacia karroo significantly enhanced the clarification process compared to HTH chlorine alone. Treatments receiving plant doses between 15 g and 20 g demonstrated superior flocculation, complete elimination of foul odours, marked colour clarity improvements, and acceptable physicochemical and biological parameters for potable water. However, the maximum dosage of 25 g imparted a minor residual organic taste. Utilising locally harvested Acacia karroo as a natural bio-coagulant combined with HTH disinfection provides a scalable, low-cost, and community-acceptable solution for improving rural water safety in water-scarce catchments.

ABSTRACT. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a major global challenge threatening public health, food security, and sustainable animal production. In poultry systems, the extensive and often inappropriate use of antibiotics for disease prevention, treatment, and growth promotion has contributed to the emergence and dissemination of multidrug-resistant pathogens, including Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp., Campylobacter spp., and Staphylococcus aureus. The declining effectiveness of conventional antibiotics highlights the need for sustainable, biologically derived alternatives that can support animal health while reducing antimicrobial pressure across interconnected human, animal, and environmental systems. Endophytic bacteria associated with medicinal plants represent a promising but relatively underexplored source of structurally diverse bioactive compounds with potential applications in poultry health. This review examines the potential of medicinal plant-associated endophytic bacteria as alternative antimicrobial agents for managing drug-resistant poultry pathogens, with emphasis on their relevance to One Health and sustainable livestock production. It synthesizes current knowledge on the ecology, diversity, functional characteristics, and antimicrobial mechanisms of endophytic bacteria and their secondary metabolites, while highlighting advances in functional genomics, metabolomics, genome mining, biosynthetic gene cluster analysis, and bioinformatics for the discovery and characterization of novel antimicrobial compounds. Potential applications of endophyte-derived products as probiotics, feed additives, antimicrobial formulations, and antibiotic alternatives are also considered. Key challenges, including cultivation difficulties, inconsistent metabolite expression, limited mechanistic validation, safety concerns, and commercial scalability, are identified, while opportunities involving multi-omics, synthetic biology, artificial intelligence-assisted drug discovery, and precision livestock production are highlighted. By promoting biologically derived approaches to AMR mitigation, this emerging biotechnology platform can contribute to healthier poultry systems, food security, environmental health, and sustainable community livelihoods within the KAZA region. The review therefore demonstrates the potential of biotechnology and genomics to generate locally relevant solutions to AMR within a One Health framework.

ABSTRACT. Nature-based tourism supports biodiversity conservation, livelihoods, and economic development within the Kavango–Zambezi (KAZA) Transfrontier Conservation Area. Botswana has adopted Community-Based Natural Resource Management (CBNRM) and tourism policies to promote community participation. Despite these initiatives, citizen participation remains limited, creating unequal access to tourism opportunities and benefits. This study therefore, examined citizen participation in nature-based tourism development through a comparative analysis of Seronga, a CBNRM village, and Chanoga, a non-CBNRM village, in the Okavango Delta. It compared citizen participation, socio-economic influences, and legislative and institutional frameworks shaping community involvement. A cross-sectional mixed-methods case study design was employed. Quantitative data were collected through questionnaires administered to 431 respondents, while qualitative data were obtained through informant interviews, focus group discussions, observations, and document analysis. Quantitative data were analysed using inferential statistics and qualitative data using thematic analysis. Findings indicate that citizen participation remains low in both villages despite resources. Seronga demonstrated higher participation through CBNRM structures in the village through their CBO; however, participation in both communities was largely confined to consultation, low employment, and limited benefit-sharing rather than involvement in tourism planning, ownership, and decision-making. Socio-economic constraints, including limited access to finance, inadequate tourism skills, unemployment, and weak entrepreneurship, together with institutional and governance challenges such as poor policy implementation, limited transparency, and weak community representation, constrained participation. The study contributes empirical evidence for strengthening community-centred tourism governance, equitable benefit-sharing, and sustainable livelihoods. Findings provide insights for inclusive tourism development, empowerment, and sustainable livelihoods across KAZA region.

ABSTRACT. Because genetic variety enables populations to tolerate disease, adapt to changing environmental conditions, and remain resilient to environmental oscillations, it is an essential part of biodiversity protection. Because it is typically smaller than census population size due to unequal reproductive contributions and other demographic and ecological considerations, effective population size (Ne) is crucial for determining the genetic viability of animal populations. This study evaluated the survivability of mega, big, and medium herbivore populations in Namibia&#39;s Etosha National Park (ENP) using the genetic diversity index (Ne ≥ 500). Wildlife census population data and species occurrence records from 2002, 2011, and 2015 were used in the study. Effective population size was estimated using the Genes from Space (GfS) monitoring platform, and the distribution of species occurrences within environmental space was investigated using occurrence-density analysis in Wallace v2.2.1. Environmental space was characterized using Principal Component Analysis (PCA), and locations with concentrations of species occurrences were identified and patterns across populations categorized based on their genetic viability were compared using occurrence-density plots. According to the findings, no species had a Ne of less than 50 over the evaluation years. In all three years, the springbok (Antidorcas marsupialis) and plains zebra (Equus quagga), two of the twelve species (16.7%), surpassed the Ne ≥ 500 barrier. Compared to two species (20.0%) in 2015 and four species (36.4%) in 2011, four species (33.3%) surpassed the threshold in 2002. Ne levels for the remaining species ranged from 50 to 499 in at least one evaluation year. By revealing variations in the distribution of viable and non-viable populations throughout environmental space, occurrence-density analysis provided light on the environmental factors linked to patterns of species occurrence. These results show the need of combining effective population size with occurrence-density methodologies for animal conservation and population monitoring, and they offer an evaluation of the genetic viability and environmental-space patterns of herbivore populations in ENP.

ABSTRACT. Sewage treatment ponds are artificial wetland habitats that can provide important resources for birds, including feeding, resting, roosting and breeding. However, limited information exists on the utilization of sewage treatment ponds by avifauna in Katima Mulilo, Namibia. This study assessed the utilization of sewage treatment ponds by avifauna at Katima Mulilo Town. Specifically, the study determined the species composition and abundance of avifauna utilizing the ponds, compared avifaunal utilization between influent/primary and effluent/secondary ponds, and determined seasonal variation in avifaunal utilization. A quantitative observational approach was used, with systematic surveys conducted twice per week across five sewage treatment ponds. Bird observations were conducted during standardized morning and late afternoon sessions using binoculars and bird identification guides. Data on species, number of individuals, pond, treatment stage, activity, season, weather and disturbance were recorded and analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. A total of 30 bird species were recorded, with waterbirds and waders forming the dominant groups. African Sacred Ibis, White-faced Whistling-Duck, Little Egret, Black-winged Stilt, African Jacana and Red-knobbed Coot were among the most frequently observed species. The effluent/secondary ponds recorded higher bird abundance and species richness than the influent/primary ponds, with 1,846 individuals and 27 species recorded in the secondary ponds compared with 1,124 individuals and 21 species in the primary ponds. Bird utilization also varied seasonally, with higher abundance and species richness recorded during the wet season than during the dry season. Feeding was the most frequently recorded activity, followed by resting and roosting. The findings demonstrated that sewage treatment ponds provide supplementary wetland habitat for a diverse assemblage of avifauna within an urban environment. The study provides baseline information for avifaunal monitoring and wetland management in Katima Mulilo and contributes to understanding the role of artificial wetlands in supporting biodiversity. The study is relevant to the Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA TFCA) because Katima Mulilo forms part of the wider KAZA landscape, and the findings contribute to knowledge of wetland-associated bird resources and habitats that complement natural ecosystems within the region.

ABSTRACT. Human–baboon interactions are an increasing concern in areas where human settlements overlap with wildlife habitats. This study assessed the knowledge, perceptions, attitudes, and adaptive responses of residents towards baboons along the Zambezi River in Katima Mulilo, Namibia, with the aim of informing sustainable human–wildlife conflict management. The study examined the socio-demographic characteristics of residents and their influence on knowledge, attitudes, and tolerance towards baboons; assessed residents’ awareness of baboons and the nature and impacts of human–baboon interactions; evaluated community attitudes towards baboon conservation, perceived population trends, and human–baboon coexistence; and identified local baboon control and conflict mitigation practices used by residents. A mixed-methods approach was employed, using structured questionnaires administered to 70 residents and interviews with relevant institutional stakeholders. Quantitative data were analysed using frequencies and percentages, while qualitative interview responses were analysed thematically. The findings showed that fruit trees were the most commonly reported factor attracting baboons to residential properties, reported by 90.1% of respondents, followed by water sources at 59.2% and unsecured waste at 54.9%. Furthermore, 57.7% of respondents reported that baboons had caused problems or damage at their households during the previous year, with crop and garden destruction being the most commonly experienced form of damage. The findings also showed that 69.0% of respondents were not aware of local laws concerning the harming or killing of baboons, while 66.2% believed that the government was not doing enough to manage baboon-related problems. In terms of adaptive responses, retreating indoors and waiting was the most commonly reported response when a baboon entered a property, accounting for 62.0% of respondents, followed by making noise or throwing objects at 29.6%. Regarding mitigation measures, culling or population control was the most frequently selected option at 32.4%, followed by relocation of baboon troops at 31.0% and baboon-proof community waste bins at 16.9%. Interview findings further indicated that major drivers of human–baboon conflict included urban expansion, poor waste management, availability of food and water, and increasing habituation of baboons to human presence. Frequent conflict locations included Boma, Makaravani East and West, Mahohoma, Wenela Border, lodges along the Zambezi River, and the Zambezi Vocational Training Centre. The study highlights the need for improved waste management, community awareness, appropriate mitigation measures, law enforcement, and stronger collaboration among relevant institutions and traditional authorities to promote sustainable coexistence between residents and baboons in Katima Mulilo.

ABSTRACT. Freshwater aquaculture has significant potential to contribute to food security, rural livelihoods and economic development in Namibia, particularly in northern regions. However, its development remains constrained by production, technological and institutional challenges, including limited access to affordable feed, fingerlings, finance, infrastructure and technical support. This study investigated major constraints affecting freshwater aquaculture development and evaluated locally formulated cereal–insect diets for juvenile tilapia production in northern Namibia. A cross-sectional survey of 43 active fish farmers in the Kavango East and Zambezi regions was conducted using structured questionnaires administered through online platforms and telephone interviews. Descriptive statistics and the Friedman rank-sum test were used to assess constraint severity. Feed cost and availability were the most severe constraints (mean = 2.50 ± 0.86), followed by inadequate infrastructure (2.12 ± 0.89) and unreliable fingerling supply (1.98 ± 0.75). Limited access to credit was reported by 90.7% of farmers, while 74.4% identified feed cost and inconsistent availability as major challenges. Constraint rankings differed significantly (χ² = 65.589, df = 5, p < 0.001). A nine-week feeding experiment subsequently evaluated locally formulated pearl millet–white grub insect meal, maize–white grub insect meal and sorghum–white grub insect meal diets, with a commercial pellet control, for juvenile Coptodon rendalli and Oreochromis andersonii. Fish were reared in a factorial completely randomized design. Body weight and length increased significantly over time in both species (p < 0.001), whereas feed type and species × feed interactions were not significant (p > 0.05). The pearl millet–white grub insect meal diet showed favourable numerical trends for final weight, weight gain and apparent feed conversion ratio in both species. Overall, the findings identify feed cost and availability as major barriers to aquaculture development and demonstrate the potential of locally formulated cereal–insect diets for juvenile tilapia production. Strengthening local aquafeed production, hatchery capacity, access to finance, extension services and rural infrastructure could support sustainable freshwater aquaculture development in Namibia.

ABSTRACT. Acceptance sampling provides a statistically efficient approach to quality assurance when the lifetime testing of every item is impractical, costly, or time-consuming. This study develops a group acceptance sampling plan under a truncated life test for products whose lifetimes follow the Topp--Leone Marshall--Olkin Frechet distribution. The plan is designed to support decisions on lot acceptance while controlling both consumer's and producer's risks. The required minimum group size and acceptance number are determined for selected distributional parameter values and specified quality levels. The median lifetime is used to define the quality ratio because it provides a robust measure of product life for the proposed distribution. Operating-characteristic values are evaluated to identify plan configurations that satisfy the prescribed risk requirements, and the resulting optimal values are summarised in tables and graphs. Two real-life datasets are used to illustrate the applicability and flexibility of the proposed method. The study contributes a practical statistical decision tool for reliability assessment and quality control, with potential relevance to researchers and industries seeking efficient product-testing methods in the KAZA region and comparable settings.

ABSTRACT. African elephants (Loxodonta africana) are highly mobile, wide-ranging herbivores whose habitat use is strongly influenced by various natural and anthropogenic factors, including forage availability, water, fire, and human activities. Understanding these relationships is particularly important in semi-arid protected areas such as Etosha National Park, Namibia, where environmental conditions vary substantially between seasons. We modeled spatial and seasonal variation in elephant habitat suitability using an existing GPS telemetry dataset and spatially explicit environmental predictors. We analysed approximately 1.37 million GPS locations from 15 elephants monitored for a period of 6 years. Re-source selection was evaluated using generalized linear mixed-effects models within a use–availability framework. Candidate models incorporated vegetation productivity and variability, moisture conditions, water availability, fire likelihood, distance to roads, distance to water, and elevation. Models were compared using Akaike’s Infor-mation Criterion corrected for small sample size (AICc), and predictive performance was evaluated through iterative cross-validation. The global model , incorporating all retained predictors, received overwhelming support (AICc = 494719.6, ∆AICc = 0, wi = 1.00). Habitat use was positively associated with mean NDVI (β = 0.079), fire likelihood (β = 0.248), and elevation (β = 0.181), but negatively associated with NDVI variability (β = −0.134), NDWI (β = −0.386), NDWI variability (β = −0.105), distance to water (β = −0.386), distance to roads (β = −0.594), and seasonal water availability (β = −3.029; all p < 0.001). Several relationships varied seasonally. Mean NDVI was negatively associated with habitat use during the dry season (β = −0.092) but positively associated during the rainy season (β = 0.476). Fire likelihood also shifted from a negative association during the dry season (β = −0.092) to a positive association during the rainy season (β = 0.445). Associations with distance to water and roads were stronger during the dry season. Predicted habitat suitability was more spatially extensive during the rainy season but became more concentrated around persistent water sources and Bushveld and Wood-land communities during the dry season. These findings demonstrate substantial seasonal heterogeneity in elephant habitat use and provide spatially explicit information for understanding and managing elephant habitat in Etosha National Park.

ABSTRACT. This study investigated the integration of indigenous knowledge on medicinal and harmful plants into early childhood environmental education in two pre-primary schools in the Zambezi Region of Namibia. Using a qualitative case study design, semi-structured interviews were conducted with four purposively selected pre-primary teachers to explore their attitudes and perceptions toward including indigenous plant knowledge in classroom practice. Grounded in Vygotsky's sociocultural constructivism, the data were analysed using thematic analysis. Findings revealed that teachers hold extensive knowledge of both medicinal species, including the Baobab (Adansonia digitata), Moringa (Moringa oleifera), Devil's Claw (Harpagophytum procumbens), and Morula (Sclerocarya birrea), and toxic plants such as Euphorbia ingens, Nerium oleander, and Datura stramonium, and that learners bring prior knowledge of these species into the pre-primary classroom. Despite strong teacher support for integration, it remains constrained by a shortage of age-appropriate and Silozi-language materials, inadequate professional development, and a curriculum that lacks regional specificity. The study argues that these constitute a structural scaffolding failure in the ZPD sense, and recommends curriculum reform, locally produced multilingual materials, structured elder co-teaching, and targeted teacher training as complementary ZPD scaffolding mechanisms. Findings have direct implications for culturally responsive early childhood pedagogy and curriculum decolonisation in Namibia and comparable sub-Saharan African contexts.