Namibian Documentary Explores Conservation Success Amid Global Biodiversity Crisis
A new Namibian documentary titled Namibia’s Wildlife Economy offers a powerful exploration of the country’s groundbreaking approach to wildlife conservation. Directed by Andy Botelle and produced by MaMoKoBo Video and Research, the film was released in 2025 and is available in English and Sifwe with English subtitles.
The documentary traces the evolution of wildlife conservation policy in Namibia and the wider southern African region, spanning from the colonial era through to the present day. Set against the backdrop of a global biodiversity crisis, the film presents Namibia as a standout example of conservation success, with more wildlife now than at any point in the past 100 years.
Namibia is currently home to the largest free-roaming population of black rhino in the world and, together with Botswana, co-hosts the world’s largest population of savannah elephants. The film features perspectives from scientists, government officials, community leaders, and landowners who collectively examine the reasons for Namibia’s success in safeguarding its wildlife heritage.
A key theme of the documentary is the connection between sustainable use and effective conservation. Interviewees explain how Namibia’s rights-based approach - granting communities and freehold farmers legal authority to benefit from and manage wildlife - has created conditions where conservation becomes a viable and often superior land-use option compared to conventional farming. As a result, wildlife and human livelihoods now coexist in mutually beneficial systems.
Dr. Chris Brown, CEO of the Namibian Chamber of Environment (NCE), emphasizes this point in the film: “It’s very clear that what comes first is devolving rights over wildlife to communities and farmers, and developing a vibrant wildlife economy for the benefit of the people. You generate huge conservation benefits as a result, with people at the heart of it.”
The film also confronts the contentious issue of trophy hunting, exploring its role within Namibia’s broader conservation model. While controversial abroad, regulated trophy hunting in Namibia is portrayed as one of several tools that support community conservation efforts and generate revenue critical to protecting wildlife habitats.
However, the documentary warns that Namibia’s wildlife economy has not yet reached its full potential. International restrictions on the use and trade of wildlife, particularly increasing opposition to trophy hunting in the United Kingdom and parts of Europe, threaten to undermine southern Africa’s proven conservation strategies.
“In 1990, when we got independence, our own government wanted to follow the laws of the former government, South Africa, of cutting us off from our own resources. But since we complained, and it’s our own government that we have voted for, they listened to us and gave us back the power to decide how we manage our own wildlife,” said Chief Joseph Mayuni of the Mafwe of Mashi Traditional Authority.
Bennett Kahuure, Director of Parks and Wildlife at the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism, highlights the achievements of Namibia’s approach: “We are talking about the largest free roaming population of rhinos, both within protected areas and also outside protected areas, both white and black rhinos. So, as a country, we really have done tremendously well with our conservation policies.”
The documentary is structured in multiple formats to broaden its accessibility: a 7-minute mini-documentary, a full-length 36-minute version, and 11 standalone interviews ranging in length from 15 to 63 minutes. All formats are freely available for viewing, sharing, and downloading via the following link: https://q.my.na/3SQN.
Through compelling visuals and candid testimony, Namibia’s Wildlife Economy invites audiences to re-examine how conservation is practiced and to consider the importance of community empowerment and sustainable use in securing biodiversity for future generations.
The documentary traces the evolution of wildlife conservation policy in Namibia and the wider southern African region, spanning from the colonial era through to the present day. Set against the backdrop of a global biodiversity crisis, the film presents Namibia as a standout example of conservation success, with more wildlife now than at any point in the past 100 years.
Namibia is currently home to the largest free-roaming population of black rhino in the world and, together with Botswana, co-hosts the world’s largest population of savannah elephants. The film features perspectives from scientists, government officials, community leaders, and landowners who collectively examine the reasons for Namibia’s success in safeguarding its wildlife heritage.
A key theme of the documentary is the connection between sustainable use and effective conservation. Interviewees explain how Namibia’s rights-based approach - granting communities and freehold farmers legal authority to benefit from and manage wildlife - has created conditions where conservation becomes a viable and often superior land-use option compared to conventional farming. As a result, wildlife and human livelihoods now coexist in mutually beneficial systems.
Dr. Chris Brown, CEO of the Namibian Chamber of Environment (NCE), emphasizes this point in the film: “It’s very clear that what comes first is devolving rights over wildlife to communities and farmers, and developing a vibrant wildlife economy for the benefit of the people. You generate huge conservation benefits as a result, with people at the heart of it.”
The film also confronts the contentious issue of trophy hunting, exploring its role within Namibia’s broader conservation model. While controversial abroad, regulated trophy hunting in Namibia is portrayed as one of several tools that support community conservation efforts and generate revenue critical to protecting wildlife habitats.
However, the documentary warns that Namibia’s wildlife economy has not yet reached its full potential. International restrictions on the use and trade of wildlife, particularly increasing opposition to trophy hunting in the United Kingdom and parts of Europe, threaten to undermine southern Africa’s proven conservation strategies.
“In 1990, when we got independence, our own government wanted to follow the laws of the former government, South Africa, of cutting us off from our own resources. But since we complained, and it’s our own government that we have voted for, they listened to us and gave us back the power to decide how we manage our own wildlife,” said Chief Joseph Mayuni of the Mafwe of Mashi Traditional Authority.
Bennett Kahuure, Director of Parks and Wildlife at the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism, highlights the achievements of Namibia’s approach: “We are talking about the largest free roaming population of rhinos, both within protected areas and also outside protected areas, both white and black rhinos. So, as a country, we really have done tremendously well with our conservation policies.”
The documentary is structured in multiple formats to broaden its accessibility: a 7-minute mini-documentary, a full-length 36-minute version, and 11 standalone interviews ranging in length from 15 to 63 minutes. All formats are freely available for viewing, sharing, and downloading via the following link: https://q.my.na/3SQN.
Through compelling visuals and candid testimony, Namibia’s Wildlife Economy invites audiences to re-examine how conservation is practiced and to consider the importance of community empowerment and sustainable use in securing biodiversity for future generations.
