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We use camera traps for a range of activities at CCB, from researching our beloved cheetahs, to more obscure species like aardvarks, using them as ways to count animals, expand known ranges of species, or using old flash cameras as light deterrents for brown hyenas. In the last decade, CCB’s camera inventory has grown to a considerable 168 cameras. At present, the largest portion of these cameras are involved in monitoring wildlife populations in the wildlife management areas in the south of the Ghanzi District as part of our pilot Conservation Performance Payment Scheme. This programme requires ongoing monitoring of wildlife populations so that wildlife sightings can be converted into tangible benefits for the communities that safeguard these wildlife management areas. As part of his Masters research, CCB staff member Chris Mbisana is assessing the occurrence of large carnivores in relation to cattle posts, using 120 cameras placed at and around cattle posts. So far, several different carnivore species have been detected – cheetah, leopard, lion, African wild dog, spotted hyena, brown hyena and black-footed cat, among others. We are very excited therefore to develop our approach further.
The cameras have been out since May of this year, all throughout the Botswana dry season (May – October). This has several benefits, such as limited vegetation which increases wildlife detectability and leads to better imagery. There is, however, also a downside. Sadly, in early September we lost three cameras due to veld fires that burned down a large portion of the Central Kalahari Game Reserve and the neighbouring wildlife management areas.
Not only did these fires destroy our cameras, but they disrupted our lion collaring efforts too. Our research team, together with PhD candidate, Kaileigh Smith, and veterinarian, Erik Verreynne, had finished an arduous 17-hour day of tracking lions to return to their campsite for some well-deserved rest, only to find the veld fire dangerously close to their campsite – forcing them to break camp at 3 am. Research has shown that the Ghanzi District burns more than any other district in Botswana. Between 2006 – 2017, fires burned 25 million square kilometres (9.7 million square miles) in the Ghanzi District alone. Although largely a natural phenomenon, the veld fires that occur here are made worse by the drought conditions, which are worsening with climate change. The impacts that these more severe and frequent fires are having on wildlife are not well understood. To help us investigate the impacts of these veld fires, Tarleton State University student, Sebastian Rogers, has come on board under the watchful supervision of CCB’s own, Otshabile Bahetoleng and Chris Mbisana, to study this. We can’t wait to see what he uncovers!
The cameras have been out since May of this year, all throughout the Botswana dry season (May – October). This has several benefits, such as limited vegetation which increases wildlife detectability and leads to better imagery. There is, however, also a downside. Sadly, in early September we lost three cameras due to veld fires that burned down a large portion of the Central Kalahari Game Reserve and the neighbouring wildlife management areas.
Not only did these fires destroy our cameras, but they disrupted our lion collaring efforts too. Our research team, together with PhD candidate, Kaileigh Smith, and veterinarian, Erik Verreynne, had finished an arduous 17-hour day of tracking lions to return to their campsite for some well-deserved rest, only to find the veld fire dangerously close to their campsite – forcing them to break camp at 3 am. Research has shown that the Ghanzi District burns more than any other district in Botswana. Between 2006 – 2017, fires burned 25 million square kilometres (9.7 million square miles) in the Ghanzi District alone. Although largely a natural phenomenon, the veld fires that occur here are made worse by the drought conditions, which are worsening with climate change. The impacts that these more severe and frequent fires are having on wildlife are not well understood. To help us investigate the impacts of these veld fires, Tarleton State University student, Sebastian Rogers, has come on board under the watchful supervision of CCB’s own, Otshabile Bahetoleng and Chris Mbisana, to study this. We can’t wait to see what he uncovers!
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