The aim of my PhD is to get a better understanding of factors influencing
Nile crocodile ecology, conservation and management outside of protected
areas and to identify community-centric strategies that will ensure their
long-term viability within human dominated environments.
Research
Objectives
- To determine
the distribution and status of Nile crocodiles on the Namibian sections
of the Zambezi, Chobe, Kwando and Kuvango rivers and wetlands;
- To determine
the impact of current harvesting regimes;
- To determine
the impact of various land tenure scenarios;
- To investigate
whether ranching and hunting alone can offset the economic and social
costs associated with conserving crocodiles;
- To determine
the long-term population viability under current management and conservation
practices;
- To investigate
the optimum management strategies based on increased community involvement
and distribution of benefits.
Support
Principle funding for my PhD comes from a Beit Trust Scholarship. The
Namibia Nature Foundation (NNF) is the host institution in Namibia. Additional
support (financial and otherwise) is received from various local businesses,
communities, NGOs and the Namibian Ministry of Environment and Tourism.
More information is available here.
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