Waterhole management: 

Managing a critical resource for both humans and wildlife

Most wild animals will only stay in a given area if there is water, and for this reason it is called a 'limiting resource' because it can limit the number of animals.  From studies undertaken by the College, it is becoming increasingly clear that by  reducing human disturbances around waterholes frequented by wildlife  significant increases in wildlife numbers can result.  The College has begun to work closely with a number of CRBs to help map out the waterholes in their areas, especially those that keep water throughout the dry season.  By identifying the exact locations of each waterhole, VAG-level leadership can direct its efforts more effectively at actions needed to reduce conflicts for waterholes that occur in their area.  

One of the important ways to reduce conflicts at waterholes used by both humans and wildlife is to build wells for use by families previously dependent on waterholes shared by wildlife.  This is a typical example of how good investments in livelihood needs linked to resource management can result in a net gain of wildlife.  Another important way of reducing waterhole conflicts that the College encourages through its outreach training is to seek community-imposed restrictions on local access to certain waterholes.  Such decisions become part of the community land use plans approved and enforced by the CRB and helps to build civic responsibility and understanding for collective action to improve natural resource production.  

As communities become more aware of how important waterholes are to their wildlife resources, additional effort is being made to monitor them by trained residents to assess numbers of wildlife visiting them and whether residents are complying to restrictions of access.  Through such interest in monitoring, a number of VAGs have begun to develop their own approach to indirectly assessing wildlife populations trends by comparing visitation rates to waterholes between years.

Below are photographs of Lukusuzi VAG (Village Area Group), where several waterholes are shared with animals.

Isolated waterholes in areas supporting wildlife can give poachers easy access to killing animals

Waterholes such as this one keep water year round and are vital for maintaining permanent wildlife populations in an area.

Fishing activities at waterholes attracts a range of disturbances, including bushfires and snaring. Land use plans have adopted strict regulations to restrict fishermen to these waterholes for limited periods.

Area of high risk for wildlife from snaring and wildlife conflicts around shared waterholes. Species like wildebeest, which has sharply declined in this GMA, probably fell victim to snares around waterholes.  Their numbers are now slowly increasing.

 

KEY Lesson:  Reducing human access around important waterholes frequently used by wildlife can have major effects on wildlife population trends for certain species.  Enforcing such regulations requires commitment among community leaders and understanding by community residents.

KEY Lesson:  Waterholes can provide an indirect way of assessing wildlife population trends by comparing animal visitation rates to waterholes at the end of the dry season.  Such monitoring is an additional activity that local residents themselves can carry out when inspecting waterholes.

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