
Kunene Elephant Rangers Challenge
Walking for Coexistence: Namibia’s Rangers Take Action Against Human-Elephant Conflict
Namibia’s Kunene region is renowned for its rugged landscapes, rich biodiversity, and successful community-based conservation programs. However, alongside this success story is a growing challenge: the rising conflict between humans and elephants. As elephant populations thrive, their presence near villages and farmland has become a daily struggle for rural communities.
Namibia’s Kunene region is renowned for its rugged landscapes, rich biodiversity, and successful community-based conservation programs. However, alongside this success story is a growing challenge: the rising conflict between humans and elephants. As elephant populations thrive, their presence near villages and farmland has become a daily struggle for rural communities.
John Kasaona, the CEO of Integrated Rural Development and Nature Conservation (IRDNC), explains, “In the Kunene region, elephants roam freely, often venturing into villages in search of water or food. This has created significant challenges for farmers who are working hard to diversify their livelihoods through crop production.”
Since Namibia’s independence, IRDNC has supported communities in reclaiming ownership of their natural resources. By fostering coexistence between people and wildlife, they have helped make Namibia’s conservation model a global success. But this balance is fragile, especially for the 1,600 farmers in Kunene who have cleared over 1,200 hectares of land for crops.
In 2020, Kasaona and his team launched the Kunene Elephant Rangers program, training community game guards from 15 conservancies to monitor and manage elephant behavior. These rangers are tasked with protecting farmland by redirecting elephants away from crops while allowing them to roam freely elsewhere. However, limited resources, including the lack of vehicles, make this work challenging.
This March, the rangers will embark on the Kunene Elephant Walk, a six-day, 362-kilometer journey on foot from Windhoek to Swakopmund. The walk is not just a demonstration of their commitment—it is a call to action. “We want to show the world that we are determined to protect both people and elephants. This walk is about raising awareness and securing the resources we need, including vehicles, to support our work,” says Kasaona.
Namibia’s conservation model relies on the cooperation of communities who share their land with wildlife. Farmers have embraced this responsibility, but as Kasaona emphasizes, they need support. “Communities have done their part. They’ve allowed elephants to roam near their homes without complaint. Now it’s our turn to help protect their crops and livelihoods.”
The Kunene Elephant Walk is a chance for people across the globe to support this innovative conservation initiative. By donating to the cause, sponsoring the walk, or simply spreading the word, you can help ensure a future where humans and elephants coexist peacefully.
As the rangers prepare for their journey, their mission is clear: to keep Namibia’s conservation story alive while giving rural farmers a chance to thrive.
The Initiative:
From 9–14 March, a team of rangers and conservationists, led by IRDNC CEO John Kasaona, will walk 362 kilometers from Windhoek to Swakopmund, symbolizing their commitment to coexistence and resilience.
Objective:
The Kunene Elephant Walk aims to:
- Raise awareness about human-elephant conflict.
- Raise funds to purchase a vehicle for the Kunene Elephant Rangers to support 15 conservancies and protect over 1,200 hectares of farmland.
How to Support:
- Sponsor the Kunene Elephant Walk.
- Donate funds toward purchasing the rangers’ vehicle.
- Join the walk and advocate for conservation.
Help us ensure that both wildlife and communities can thrive. Together, we can keep Namibia’s conservation story alive and its communities sustainable.