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THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT AND TOURISM TSAU//KHAEB NATIONAL PARK PARK NEWSLETTER THE TSAU //KHAEB TIMES VOLUME 3| ISSUE 3– 1st QUARTER of 2017
THE TSAU//KHAEB TIMES
TKNP PARK MANAGERS
| F. Amunyela
Quarter Park Headline: PARK WORK PLAN REVIEW
THIS NEWSLETTER BELONGS TO THE TSAU //KHAEB NATIONAL PARK 1|
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Table of Contents
VERY IMPORTANT TOPICS!!
TKNP STAFF MATTERS ……………………………………………………………………………….4 LEGENDS OF THE TSAU//KHAEB PROFILE STUDY (late) Mr Johannes Julius……………………5 TKNP POACHING ISSUE ………………………………………………………………………………6 THE BATTLE OF THE FERAL CATTLE……………………………………………………………….7 ANNUAL WORK PLAN FOR TKNP (NORTH & SOUTH)……………………………………………8 TOURISM PLAN REVIEW……………………………………………………………………................9 TKNP 2nd STAKEHOLDER FORUM …………………………………………………………………...10
LIST OF ACRONYMS 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11.
ARTPCWFCMETNAMPOLNAMPARKSOEECRTDPTKNPW-
/AI-/AIS-RICHTERSVELD TRANSFONTIER PARK CHIEF WARDEN FIELD COORDINATOR MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT AND TOURISM NAMIBIAN POLICE NAMIBIAN PARKS PROGRAM ONTANDA ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATIONAL CENTER RANGER TOURISM DEVELOPMENT PLAN TSAU //KHAEB NATIONAL PARK WARDEN
PLEASE SEND PICTURES OF YOUR DIFFERENT ACTIVITIES THAT YOU HAVE DONE IN THE TKNP TO: frns200848763@gmail.com PHOTO CONTRIBUTORS FRANS AMUNYELA
ABED JOHANNES, VINTE MENDES, ALEX MOWA AND RICHIE MUTENDERE 2|
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Compiler’s Note
Mr Amunyela Frans
| Nam Parks IV Project- intern - Tsau//Khaeb National Park
I am pleased to present the first TKNP newsletter for 2017. My name is Frans Amunyela, a 4th year student at the University of Namibia (UNAM). I’m currently studying toward my BSc in Natural Resources Management, Majoring in Integrated Environmental Science. I also graduated with a Higher Diploma in Natural resources Management with the same institution (UNAM). At this junction, allow me to give a clear picture of the TKNP newsletter, this newsletter was invented last year and it’s being published on a quarterly bases. The TKNP newsletter serves as an additional communication medium between TKNP staff and our growing community plus interested stakeholders e.g. neighbouring farms. The goal of which is to provide our partners with a concise yet comprehensive picture of all integrated park management activities. With certainty, a lot has been... with support from Namparks IV project within the previous quarters, the biggest being the TKNP inaugural stakeholder fora that was created successfully by the park managers in conjunction with the park stakeholders. In this newsletter, we will cover some important events that happened in TKNP, the Regional Review and drafting of the annual work plan 3|
hosted at Ontanda Environmental Educational Center (OEEC) being one of the highlights. It has been my outmost pleasure to compile this newsletter with the help of the TKNP Park managers as contributors of information. I know that you and other members of TKNP have been getting glimpses over TKNP developments over the past year. We hope you will read this issue’s cover story to see the fascinating stories within our park and adjoining parks. Later I will also present the mortality and poaching incidents of Gemsbok (Oryx Gazella) precious game which appears to be one of the dominant species in the park along C13 road. I wish you all a fantastic read ahead!!
ENJOY THIS ONE!!
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TKNP STAFF MATTERS (Late) MR. JOHANNES JULIUS
During this quarter, the TKNP lost one staff member who was based at Aus MET office Mr. Johannes Julius. Mr. Julius was employed as a Scout for the past 29 years. He dedicated his entire 29 years for the Tsau //Khaeb National Park at the same station. On behalf of the Ministry the TKNP thank him for all his hard work and he shall always be remembered.
Mr. Julius and his TKNP colleagues on field operation
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Mr. Thomas T. Neema
On another note, during the same quarter the TKNP has also bade farewell to hardworking staff Mr. Thomas Neema who took up a new senior position within the ministry of Agriculture Water and Forestry in Windhoek at the National Botanical Research Institute. He was employed as an Environmental Education Warden responsible for //Kharas and Hardap Regions, during his four years tenure Mr. Neema was based in LĂźderitz -MET Office. Mr Neema achieved strides in reviving the only southern but previously dormant environmental education centre (known as Ontanda) within the TKNP. The TKNP crew wishes Mr. Neema all the best in his endeavours.
Mr. Neema inspecting the hiking trail at LĂźderitz Peninsular
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LEGENDS OF THE TSAU//KHAEB PROFILE STUDY
This Month’s Profile Study: Mr. Johannes Julius (TKNP north scout) Mr. Johannes Julius who passed on 12+03+2017 Mr Johannes Julius, passed away after a short illness on Sunday 12 March 2017. Mr Johannes was well-loved and admired for his enduring commitment to work for (TKNP); and his warm and courageous heart for supporting conservation in Namibia for 29 years specifically in Tsau//Khaeb (Sperrgebiet) National Park.
Mr. Julius was known for his great ability of doing a great job when it comes to fencing activities. He has taught the entire generation in MET (TKNP) that came after him on how properly mend fences. According to his colleagues he used to love working with fences and boreholes. Mr. Julius has been the second longest serving employee for the Tsau //Khaeb National Park after Mr Andries Nicklaaste who is based in Lüderitz.
Mr. Julius in action (fixing the eastern boundary fence of TKNP)
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MESSAGE FROM THE TKNP STAFF Dear Family of Mr. Johannes Julius “We are very sad to learn about the death of our beloved colleague Mr. Johannes Julius. He was very hard working and a faithful employee of the Ministry of Environment and Tourism stationed at Aus for the Tsau //Khaeb National Park and we will really miss him. He dedicated his entire 29 years to the ministry and for that we shall always remember him in our thoughts. He was not only an employee but he was a team leader and a mentor in other activities, we shall remember him as a husband, brother, father, uncle, mentor and grandfather. We know the situation at your end and we pray to God for your well-being. At this moment we will support you and extent our condolences together” please receive our deepest heartfelt condolences.
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TKNP POACHING ISSUE Since the establishment of the TKNP stakeholder fora, the park has been blessed with awesome collaboration with neighbours more than before, particularly on issues of combating illegal hunting. On the 15th and 16th of March 2017 the park management recorded two poaching incidents along the Aus and Rosh Pinah road (C13). The carcasses were found with a fresh open cut on the throat, which is a clear sign of poaching. Poaching incidents have become more common along this road, according to the park neighbour who farms in the same vicinity and also happened to be the eye witness to this particular incident, reported that poaching has become rife along this road especially when the road users come across wildlife trapped within the narrow road reserves fence lines. The ministry officials have thus far arrested a number of people committing these crimes and have further intensified patrols and collaboration with neighbours along that road to deter such incidents. However the entire community is urged to help in reporting any of such suspicious actions to the Ministry officials. We all should participate in deterring, preventing and discouraging wildlife crime in and around our natural environment for the benefit of us all.
Poaching of wildlife along the C13 – 15th March 2017.
Park Manager gathering evidence of poaching
“I don’t want my children to ask, ‘What is an Oryx?”Warden Richie said.
Stones used to immobilise the Oryx on 15th March 2017
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THE BATTLE FOR FERAL CATTLE CONTINUES According to the previous issues of this newsletter, “ARTP has been home to feral cattle for more than a decade. The origin of these cattle is said to be the neighbouring South Africa. Through consultations with surrounding communities the ARTP management has resolved to remove such animals by means of destroying/culling them because of ecological reasons and such cattle could pose as easy targets for poachers hence promote poaching activities in the area. It was also resolved that such meat would be donated only to worthy courses of previously disadvantaged backgrounds. Due to the ragged terrain therefore difficult to drive and reach the heads of cattle, only one bull was removed in October 2016. However the process seems to step up in 2017, so far five (5) bulls have been removed of which the meat was donated to schools and old age homes within the conservation landscape area. The first cattle was donated to the Aussenkhr Primary School followed by Rosh Pinah soup school, Aus old age home and other schools within the above mentioned area shall follow suit. Certainly, it’s not any easy task to look for these feral cattle as they are very flexible to run into high mountains. If the park managers set of to go and look for these feral cattle it might take a whole day or two just to at least spot one. With the heat condition it even makes it much harder to find any of these feral cattle.
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Last culled feral cattle.
MET and Namparks-intern in Rosh Pinah after long day of hunting of feral cattle
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PARKS ANNUAL WORK PLAN REVIEW FOR TKNP, AI-AIS HOT SPRING GAME PARK AND NAUTE GAME PARK.
With support from Namparks IV project the //Karas parks convened at Ontanda Enviromental Education Centre to brain storm and review the previuos annaul workplan (2016/2017) and draft the new workplan for (2017/2018) finacial year. The //Karas Parks chief Warden along side the project field coordinator facilitated the process and in attendance were Rangers and Wardens. The workshop took two days (06 to 08 March) and all parks benefitted in attaining a new workplan that would guide them in execution of duties during the course of the finacial year.
Warden Bolly paying acute attention during the annual planning workshop at Ontanda
Ranger Paulus from Naute and Ranger Johanna from LĂźderitz posing for a photo during a short break at the annual planning workshop at Ontanda
//Karas parks staff during the planning workshop
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TKNP TOURISM PLAN REVIEW Tourism development within protected areas needs to be planned in a holistic manner that is strategic, environmentally sensitive and integrated into other planning at regional, national and cross border levels. The Tourism Development Plan (TDP) for the Tsau //Khaeb National Park is designed to accommodate longterm perspective and is dynamic in nature, user friendly, easily modifiable and adaptable to changing circumstances yet designed to maintain their strategic integrity.
MET officials in the far northern end of TKNP during the TDP review field mission.
The Tsau //Khaeb National Park is situated in the south west corner of Namibia bordered on the west by the Atlantic Ocean and in the south by the Orange River. The TKNP is an important tourist destination popular with overseas, regional and domestic tourist. Tourist can travel to TKNP by various means of transport, namely road, scheduled flights and cruise ships. The current TDP for the TKNP could not be fully implemented, thus necessitating minor adjustments for practical purposes, through Namparks IV project a consultant (tourism expert) was hired to assist the MET to review this plan with wider consultations to ensure that the plan is implementable. During the week of the 3rd April 2017 the MET local staff took the consultant into the entire TKNP for familiarisation and identification of new potential tourism activities to be recommended in the new plan. The plan is expected to be completed by the end of June 2017.
Consultant and MET staff at Hottentotsbaai identifying new tourism activities.
History building seen at Pomona Ghost Town within the TKNP
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TKNP 2nd STAKEHOLDER FORUM With support from Namparks IV Project the TKNP management have once again successfully hosted their quarterly stakeholder forum meeting at LĂźderitz Nest Hotel on the 3rd February 2017 and at Amica Guest House in Rosh Pinah on the 6th February 2017. The northern forum was well attended however the southern forum yet presented a low turn just like before. During this meeting pertinent issues of integrated Park management were discussed and special working groups were also created. These working groups will deal with specific issues of mutual concern and will provide feedback at every quarterly meeting. The southern working group will be led by Mr Trygve Cooper while the northern working group will be led by Dr JP Roux. Due to poor attendance of stakeholders at the southern forum the next quarterly meeting will be held in Oranjemund. Minutes of these meetings are available upon request from the chairperson.
Northern TKNP stakeholder forum well attended by
Southern TKNP stakeholder forum
A total of 31 Participants at the Northern Forum
Southern forum had a total of 17 participants
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MET FIELD STAFF IN ACTION!
Ranger Paulus from Naute and Ranger Johanna from the TKNP north at the annual Park Work plan workshop
Monitoring the Orange River flowing after a huge amount of rain during March 2017.
Law Enforcement Ranger Mowa removes Bumped Oryx from the road near Rosh Pinah
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Rangers from the ARTP – Easter from Rosh Pinah and Ranger Anna from Hobas at the Parks Work Plan that was held in Lüderitz
NamParks IV Intern Frans visits the Orange River
Warden Bolly at Ontanda Environmental Educational Center
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MORTALITIES Nampol together with MET investigates poaching activity on C13 road.
Cattle Culling MET crew at Rosh Pinah after a successful hunt of one feral bull along the Orange River
Funeral Ranger Alex giving a speech of condolences on behalf of TKNP crew at Mr Julius memorial service in Aus
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Farewell Mentorship Vehicles parked at the event of saying good bye to Mr. Thomas Neema
Legend of the TKNP (late) MR. Julius mentors the two Rangers Paulus and Alex about the Khaukaseb fountain
Ex-Inter for NAMPARKS IV (Abed) at the Orange River
Ranger Alex Mowa at the annual Work Plan workshop at Ontanda
Meetings On the left: MET regional management meeting.
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On the right: northern TKNP stakeholder forum
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On the left: MET and NAMPOL removes Oryx from the C13 road On the right: Southern TKNP stakeholder forum
On the left: Frans Amunyela NAMPARKS Intern On the right: Workhand Andries Nieklaaste
NORTHERN TKNP STAFF From Left: Ranger Mowa
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Left: Intern Abed, Ranger Alex, Watchman Kasara, Warden Thomas, Workhand Andries, Workhand Hendrick, Watchman Naftal and Watchman Theoplina
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NORTHERN TKNP STAFF WATCH MANS LEFT: KASARA PAULUS RIGHT: NAFTAL MATHEWS
Left: Ranger Alex with TDP consultant in the TKNP northern area Right: Pomona Town
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Field Coordinator Mendes Vinte together with Warden Richie and Ranger Alex Mowa during the TKNP TDP review
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Deputy Director of Southern Parks Mr. Harry at Pomona during the TKNP TDP review field mission
TAKING CHARGE Warden Richie Mutendere at Bogenfles Arch looking smart in uniform
PENINSULA Dr. JP Roux taking centre stage in sensitising the tourism expert on marine ecology and the biological significance and importance of the Lüderitz Peninsula while the MET crew looks on
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I would like to thank everyone that contributed to this newsletter. For any enquires regarding this newsletter contact us: Frans Amunyela or Vinte Mendes +26463202811 Frns200848763@gmail.com Ministry of Environment and Tourism Offices Tsau//Khaeb National Park offices Lüderitz Office Aus Office Rosh Pinah Office Oranjemund Office //Kharas Region
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UPCOMING ACTIVITIES IN AND AROUND SOUTHERN CONSERVATION AREAS 1. 2. 3. 4.
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LÜDERITZ CRAYFISH FESTIVAL 27 April to 02 May 2017 PARK TALK (LÜDERITZ) 01 June 2017 PARK STAKEHOLDER FORUMS NORTH + SOUTH 15 and 17 May respectively Access meeting in Oranjemund 16 May 2017
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