Since its founding three years ago, members of the non-profit Intelligence Support Against Poaching (ISAP) have committed tireless energy to detecting and reducing the concerning high levels of poaching in Namibia, establishing themselves as an elemental part of Namibia’s anti-poaching task force.
The overarching framework directing the focus of ISAP’s work is firstly to foster and maintain a deeply embedded and dependable intelligence network to gather information of crimes against the environment and sharing those with officials.
Secondly, to work closely with government and other partners to support anti-poaching efforts in a myriad of ways, which has led the organisation to adopt new and innovative approaches over the years to achieve these goals.
“Rhino, elephant, lion, pangolin, fresh water fish, rose wood forests – these are all targeted by poachers. They are easy to get, have high value, and there are few legal ramifications for those caught. All this is driven in conjunction with influential Namibians,” Tinus Hansen, ISAP’s chief operating officer said.
The poaching epidemic is driven by a number of factors, he explains, including cumbersome legal systems, corruption and increased levels of poverty, he added.
Yet despite the deep-rooted causes that drive a problem that can at times seem daunting and insurmountable, and although Hansen says poaching is unlikely to be completely stopped, with concerted efforts and funding a significant dent can be made to “keep endangered species numbers sustainable and to manage the pain and suffering caused by poaching.”
COMMUNITES A VITAL COMPONENT
The third leg of ISAP’s mission is a focused commitment and understanding of the critical importance of working in close partnerships with communities, who live daily amongst the wildlife and vegetation species targeted by poachers intent on destroying Namibia’s natural heritage for profits.
Hansen says the organisation has undertaken several rural development projects that are aimed at uplifting communities and fostering trust and cooperation.
“The reciprocal spin-off is increased trust and credibility of ISAP amongst rural community members, which supports the informant networks.”
Getting communities aboard through programmes that enhance the understanding of the value of natural species and how to protect against human wildlife conflict, and also lessen the lure of easy money to be earned through poaching at the command of syndicates and Namibian middlemen.
Hansen explains further that the link between rural communities and the environment they live in cannot be ignored, and should be tapped into as a valuable anti-poaching tool.
“Local communities know the animals – they understand how they move, how they think and how important they are for the Namibian and global ecosystems. They are key to protecting precious species by being our eyes, ears and hands,” says Hansen.
ISAP is convinced of the crucial cooperation of communities.
“Without the custodianship of rural communities, the saving of wildlife against poaching will be in vain, and it is therefore critical to consider our wildlife and our people as inseparably linked.”
As part of ISAP’s community development programme, which falls under the NGO’s commercial arm and is aimed at assisting rural communities with projects to uplift and address human-wildlife conflict, ISAP partnered with a United Kingdom based outreach programme, Friends from Ireland (FFI).
With the help of volunteers, FFI sources donor funding which is then used in specific projects. Moreover, the volunteers offer their services on the ground by imparting skills and labour.
In 2018, ISAP’s first community programme is taking place at the De Rust community located in the Ugab river, home to some of Namibia’s famed desert adapted elephant and lions.
The project is aimed at upgrading water supply and storage facilities, to ensure safe supply for humans and livestock, as well as providing a source of water for local wildlife.
The start date for the rural intervention is slated for November.
SMART HEARTS OF GOLD
In recent months, ISAP has also captured the hearts and minds of many more Namibians, and international followers, when they decided to foster an orphaned white rhino bull calf.
With the help of donors, ISAP has managed to source more than 8000 litres of fat-free milk and a large consignment of lactose that volunteers are using to keep the youngster healthy.
“He certainly has a substantial appetite, consuming around 30 litres of milk daily. Up until now the calf has been doing well, and has started feeding on the local grasses, which is an important step in the weaning process,” Hansen explains.
Moreover, in June, ISAP broke ground on a privately owned reserve to begin the process of setting up a volunteer training facility, located on a large wildlife reserve.
One completed, the volunteer training camp will host international travellers keen to take part in a “Namibian wilderness experience.”
The training will consist of a three-week course and afterwards volunteers will be deployed to commercial farms, nature reserves and the like to “facilitate passive monitoring and observation duties.”
This will benefit the owners of the reserves and other stakeholders by ensure extra “eyes and ears on the ground.”
Big impact
Through ISAP, a high-tech intelligence and surveillance software, Cmore – with which anti-poaching rangers can track and communicate, as well as create a database of information – will be rolled out in national parks, conservancy areas, private reserves and other relevant areas in Namibia that are in need of proactive anti-poaching efforts.
Currently, the Waterberg Plateau National Park is making use of Cmore already.
Several other projects are underway to strengthen anti-poaching efforts in Namibia, driven by ISAP’s understanding that government cannot win the war against poaching.
Funding support for a non-profit such as ISAP is crucial, such as a recent funding agreement with Nedbank Namibia.
“Without local support there would be no private organisational support for anti-poaching efforts in Namibia,” Hansen stresses.