According to the Namibian Ministry of Environment, Forestry, and Tourism, the desert lions of Namibia, living in the harsh Kunene region in the northwest of the country, have suffered a decline of up to 21% over the last year due to drought and human conflicts.
In 2023, 12 lions died in Namibia, primarily due to a reduction in prey caused by drought and conflicts with humans, as highlighted in a report by the Ministry.
John Heydinger, a researcher and co-founder of Lion Rangers, a conservation group that contributed to the population survey, warned, "If these figures are extrapolated over a few years, the deaths would be considered unsustainable." A survey conducted at the end of 2022 by the ministry found that the number of desert-adapted lions consists of about sixty adults and a dozen cubs.
Indeed, the human-lion conflict seems to be driven by the decline in the lions' typical prey due to the drought. Moreover, in 2022, the number of gemsbok, a long-horned antelope, is said to have decreased by about 85% over the past five years, while zebra and springbok populations decreased by 59% and 53%, respectively.
According to Namibian law, wild animals, including protected species, can be killed without legal repercussions if they pose an immediate threat to human safety or property.
