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Namibia, Africa: Ongava Research Centre

Conservation at a Glance

• Ongava is one of the largest private game reserves in Namibia, covering over 125 square miles. The beauty of Ongava lies in a vast array of plant life and vegetation, including the Mopane woodlands - unique to this part of Namibia.
• The Philadelphia Zoo financially supports the conservation research project "Pride Dynamics and Dispersal in the Lion Population of Ongava Game Reserve."
• Lion population estimates, both in Namibia and throughout Africa, demonstrates a steady decline. The IUCN currently lists Panthera leo as Threatened/Vulnerable, with 30-50% declines in global population numbers over the past 20 years. Ongava seeks to gain a more in-depth understanding of lion population dynamics, their impact on the reserve, and also examine the issue driving dispersal of sub-adults to areas where they are at risk of being killed.
• Ongava has also been investigating the genetic relationships between the individuals in their resident populations of both black rhino (Diceros bicornis bicornis) and southern white rhino (Ceratotherium simum simum) in order to determine their lineage. They extract DNA dung and tissue samples at ORC and apply parentage analysis to assign calves to their correct parents (in collaboration with the University of Cape Town). The hope is to be able to assess the genetic fitness of the population and also to advise an optimum population management plan to avoid excessive inbreeding.