Giraffe app to monitor population distribution

While the giraffe population has declined significantly in Africa, Namibia has managed to keep its population growing through its conservation efforts.

The Giraffe Conservation Foundation, with the support of the Polytechnic of Namibia, has embarked on a project to develop an online ‘citizen science’ platform with the aim of assessing the distribution of the giraffe population across Africa.

GiraffeSpotter.org is an easy-to-use web-based application that allows anyone to upload photos of giraffe together with the location where the image was taken, as well as other information such as the herd size, sex and age of the giraffe.

With the help of GiraffeSpotter.org the foundation aims to improve its understanding of the giraffe range, distribution, numbers and its conservation status across Africa, while at the same time engaging people and raising awareness of the plight of giraffe in the wild.

Giraffe numbers are dropping rapidly. In the late 1990s it was estimated that there were approximately 140 000 giraffe living across their range in Africa while today estimates indicate that there are fewer than 80 000 giraffe remaining in the wild. Giraffe have already become extinct in seven African range states and it is happening largely unnoticed.

According to Steph Fenessy of the Giraffe Conservation Foundation, limited knowledge regarding the current status of giraffe as a species and the currently recognised nine subspecies poses a significant threat to their long-term survival in Africa.

He said that the numbers of giraffes have dropped significantly in Africa, but the good news is that in Namibia the numbers have increased thanks to the conservation efforts in the country.

According to him the main reason for the declining numbers of giraffe is the growth of the human population, which has caused habitat loss and illegal hunting and poaching that has caused giraffe to become extinct in at least seven African countries.

“Giraffe has a lot of meat and can feed plenty of people and are therefore especially hunted in war-torn countries. We are expecting to lose giraffe within the next few years in the DRC.”

He said giraffes play an important ecological role in the environment. The animals are large browsers that open up landscapes and stop bush encroachment, which is a real problem in Namibia.

“They play an extremely valuable role and are critical for the environment.”
Giraffespotter.org, which was developed by software engineering students of the Polytechnic, will allow people to engage and support conservation in Africa directly and will hopefully draw attention to the species’ plight.

The website was launched last week, prior to the first ever World Giraffe Day that was celebrated on June 21.

– Namibian Sun

Cheetah Safaris gives travellers a unique glimpse into northern Namibia

The Ruacana Falls in Namibia

Cheetah Backpacker’s & Safari Cc was started by Morne Dowie, and opened its doors to the public in 2009 in the Oshana region in the town of Ongwediva, situated between Ondangwa and Oshakati towns.

Morne obtained a Diploma in Travel & Tourism from the Polytechnic of Namibia in 2005 and has been in the tourism industry for the past 10 years in north central Namibia.

“We cater international guests/visitors who are interested in the culture and tradition of the Oshiwambo people in north central Namibia and visiting Namibia’s prime wildlife sanctuary Etosha National Park, which is only a stone throw away from Ongwediva,” says Dowie.

We also cater for the domestic tourism market by planning, organizing, leading and control school tour from the north, and letting learners visit attractions all over Namibia.

Cheetah Backpacker’s & Safari is a company that specializes in memorable fauna and flora experiences in the most remote and pristine areas in Namibia, remaining fiercely committed to protecting Africa’s precious natural and cultural resources.

“We believe that the primary beneficiaries of ecotourism must be people whose ancestral land is being visited.

According to Dowie their goals are to be the best in the tourism business in Ongwediva and

 to exceed their customer’s expectations.

The business concept started when there were customers mostly, foreigners, that wanted to find out more about the culture and tradition of the Oshiwambo people but there was no one to show them around and visit the entire tourist establishment in/around northern Namibia.

They offer day excursions in and around north central Namibia and to the Etosha National Park, Olukonda Museum, Ombalantu Baobab heritage site, the Ruacana Waterfalls,  Opuwo Himba Kraal visit

Cheetah Backpacker’s & Safari also offer 3-20 days tours from Ongwediva to the rest of Namibia and can arrange airport transfers to and from Ongwediva.

Cheetah Backpackers opened its doors to the public in August 2012, offering affordable accommodation- we offer tented, dormitory, single and double rooms in a tranquil housing suburb of Ongwediva. It is only a 10 minute walk from Bennies Entertainment park en Maroela Mall & Medi City Park.

Visit them at the Ongwediva Town Council stand at the 2014 Namibia Tourism Expo taking place from 4 – 7 June at the Windhoek Show Grounds.