People at the heart of Kunene conservation

Conservation success is often measured by wildlife numbers, protected landscapes and the survival of threatened species. But across Namibia’s Kunene Region, the people working on the ground are just as critical to protecting these achievements.

The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Namibia recently travelled through Kunene to document the people, partnerships and initiatives contributing to conservation under the Legacy Landscapes Fund (LLF) through the Skeleton Coast-Etosha Conservation Bridge (SCECB) programme.

The mission focused on capturing photographs and video highlighting the impact of conservation across the SCECB landscape, while drawing greater attention to the communities and individuals driving this work every day.

Meeting the people

One of the stops was Scents of Namibia in Opuwo, a community enterprise established by five conservancies. There, the WWF team met women producing handmade products and natural oils, showcasing how conservation can create opportunities for sustainable livelihoods and local economic development.

WWF Namibia said the journey also highlighted the work of community game guards. At Elephant and People’s Park, as well as along the Hoanib River and in Ombonde People’s Park, game guards shared insights into their daily responsibilities, from monitoring wildlife to helping reduce human-wildlife conflict.

Their work provides a crucial link between conservation and the communities living alongside wildlife, helping to protect both natural resources and local livelihoods, according to WWF Namibia.

In Palmwag, the team joined the Save the Rhino Trust on a rhino-tracking patrol, offering a glimpse into the demanding work involved in monitoring one of Namibia’s most iconic and threatened species.

The team walked almost 10 kilometres before finally locating the rhinos – a reminder that successful conservation requires patience, specialist knowledge and determination, often far from public view, WWF Namibia said.

Broader reality

While Namibia’s wildlife frequently takes centre stage, the journey through Kunene underscored a broader reality: conservation is ultimately about people.

From women building businesses from natural resources and game guards protecting wildlife in their communities to conservancy leaders and rhino trackers working tirelessly in the field, their efforts form the foundation of long-term conservation.

Their stories demonstrate that protecting Namibia’s landscapes is not only about safeguarding wildlife, but also about ensuring that the people living within and alongside these landscapes have meaningful opportunities to participate in and benefit from conservation.

Together, these efforts are helping to shape a future in which Namibia’s wildlife, wild spaces and communities can thrive side by side.