Generated by All in One SEO v4.9.0, this is an llms.txt file, used by LLMs to index the site. # Ongava Research Centre ## Sitemaps - [XML Sitemap](https://orc.eco/sitemap.xml): Contains all public & indexable URLs for this website. ## Posts - [Blog & News](https://orc.eco/blog/) - [New insights from ORC: Recent publications](https://orc.eco/new-insights-from-orc-recent-publications/) - Our mission here at Ongava Research Centre (ORC) is to advance ecological research that informs conservation efforts in Namibia and beyond. Our team has recently published several studies that provide valuable insights into wildlife ecology, human-wildlife interactions, and conservation strategies. Below, we provide a brief overview of these latest contributions to science. Monitoring herbivory in - [Counting carnivores in the Greater Etosha Landscape (cont.)](https://orc.eco/counting-carnivores-in-the-greater-etosha-landscape-cont/) - We're excited to share some preliminary findings from last year's carnivore playback survey, including insights into the densities of three carnivore species in the Greater Etosha Landscape. - [Counting spots: An update on our citizen science survey](https://orc.eco/counting-spots-an-update-on-our-citizen-science-survey/) - We share some preliminary insights from the citizen science survey led by Master's student Mburaje Keja. - [Expert or novice: do we see the same things?](https://orc.eco/expert-or-novice-do-we-see-the-same-things/) - Camera traps have become an invaluable tool for wildlife scientists, allowing us to capture images and videos of animals without disrupting their behaviours. However, as the wealth of data they generate continues to grow, our challenge lies in efficiently processing and classifying the thousands (or even millions) of images that cameras produce. With cameras capable - [Hot off the press: Our carnivore work in the Greater Etosha Landscape](https://orc.eco/hot-from-the-press-our-carnivore-work-in-the-greater-etosha-landscape/) - You can now head to the Conservation Namibia magazine webpage to have a read about the work we are conducting on carnivores in the Greater Etosha Landscape: - [Large-scale and long-term surveying of Etosha's wildlife](https://orc.eco/a-camera-trap-grid-runs-through-it-surveying-etosha-wildlife-large-scale-and-long-term/) - One of the many challenges that wildlife biologists and managers face is to know how many animals occur in a given area, how they distribute themselves in... - [Friend or foe? How human presence affects mammals at waterholes](https://orc.eco/friend-or-foe/) - Jessy Patterson's first (PhD) dissertation chapter, focussing on providing a better understanding of the effects of human presence on mammal waterhole attendance and activity patterns, has just been published in Journal of Zoology. - [NJE Volume 9 now complete](https://orc.eco/nje-volume-9-now-complete/) - As the driving force behind the Namibian Journal of Environment (NJE), we are particularly pleased to announce the completion of Volume 9. - [Embracing the multidimensionality of drylands: Looking back at 2024](https://orc.eco/embracing-the-multidimensionality-of-drylands-looking-back-at-2024/) - As we draw the curtains on another year, it’s worth looking back on the past 12 months and reflect on what we have achieved and learned. - [A visit from Dartmouth College](https://orc.eco/a-visit-from-the-dartmouth-college/) - At ORC, our mission extends beyond our daily work in the field and our commitment to research and conservation. It includes a dedication to... - [Counting carnivores in the Greater Etosha Landscape](https://orc.eco/counting-carnivores/) - Members of the Greater Etosha Carnivore Programme recently carried out a carnivore survey and detail their approach. - [A citizen science survey of cheetah and leopard in Etosha National Park](https://orc.eco/a-citizen-science-survey-of-cheetah-and-leopard-in-etosha-national-park/) - Master's student, Mburaje Keja will be relying on visitor participation to estimate Etosha National Park's cheetah and leopard populations. - [ORC at SAWMA 2024](https://orc.eco/2090-2/) - Ongava Research Centre (ORC) will be well represented at this year's conference of the Southern African Wildlife Management Association (SAWMA) in Windhoek. - [Investigating behavioural dynamics of the African Elephant in North-East Namibia](https://orc.eco/behavioural-dynamics-of-the-african-elephant-loxodonta-africana-in-north-east-namibia-using-model-based-suitability-connectivity-movement-and-genetic-analysis/) - Hello, I'm Saskia Borger, a recent graduate from the Technical University of Munich. I completed my Master's thesis in collaboration with the Ongava Researc... - [Endemism in the highlands and escarpments of Angola and Namibia: our new edited book is out!](https://orc.eco/endemism-in-the-highlands-and-escarpments-of-angola-and-namibia-our-new-edited-book-is-out/) - Being a book editor is no small enterprise. And when the book is composed of 26 chapters, written by more than 50 authors, it makes the task even more challenging! But, of course, that didn't scare John Mendelsohn our former director to stand up to the task a few years ago, accompanied by Brian Huntley - [Termite sampling across Namibia](https://orc.eco/termite-sampling-across-namibia/) - Dr Barbara van Asch and Christi Greyling (MSc student) from the Genetics Department of Stellenbosch University visited Ongava Research Centre in March while... - [Life as an intern at the Ongava Research Centre](https://orc.eco/life-as-an-intern-at-the-ongava-research-centre/) - Hello everyone! I am Rhys, a wildlife sciences undergraduate student at the University of Georgia, USA working in Dr. Jim Beasley’s lab, and I got to... - [Xmas presents: the Emperor Moth & the Mopane Worm](https://orc.eco/xmas-presents-the-emperor-moth-the-mopane-worm/) - In southern Africa, summer rains bring countless flying, crawling and creeping visitors. But in the Mopane belt, in which Ongava is located, we are... - [Which termite is this?](https://orc.eco/which-termite-is-this/) - Coming in different shapes and colours, termite mount are a common sight when driving around on Ongava. For the unsuspecting observer... - [Where do you find what you are searching for?... In the last place you look, of course!](https://orc.eco/where-do-you-find-what-you-are-searching-for-in-the-last-place-you-look-of-course/) - n this day and age, plenty of information is available online, thanks to the well-established electronic system. In Namibia, old and young researchers have... - [When the rain gives you wings…](https://orc.eco/when-the-rain-gives-you-wings/) - Every year after the first significant rains, we are witnesses to one of Nature's fantastic shows: the flight of termites. - [Weaver fever!](https://orc.eco/weaver-fever/) - Different weaver species usually nest separately, but two species sometimes occupy a tree. Seldom are there three species, but that rare... - [Waterholes in a semi-arid environment](https://orc.eco/waterholes-in-a-semi-arid-environment/) - Sources of water and hubs for interaction between pathogens, hosts, vectors, predators, prey, plants and people Aside from perennial rivers along certain... - [Visit from a big cat…](https://orc.eco/visit-from-a-big-cat/) - We are often asked what we do on Sundays since we live in the bush far from town. Well, last Sunday someone made that decision for us! - [Using automated recognition software to identify leopards from their spot patterns](https://orc.eco/using-automated-recognition-software-to-identify-leopards-from-their-spot-patterns/) - After the few seconds spent in awe following spotting a leopard, we usually grab our camera to record that rare encounter. A - [Understanding Change](https://orc.eco/understanding-change/) - The world’s natural environment is changing rapidly, and in many ways. Although these changes are apparent, their causes and drivers are often more elusive. - [Turning A Blind Eye?](https://orc.eco/turning-a-blind-eye/) - Camera traps are one of the most popular wildlife monitoring and research tools. They record spectacular wildlife images, such as this leopard, though... - [The Wildlife Facebook](https://orc.eco/the-wildlife-facebook/) - Most large mammals enjoy a good scratch, rhinos especially after a mud bath. To find out more about this behaviour, we video-monitored a well-rubbed... - [The only Empress moth in the bush…](https://orc.eco/the-only-empress-moth-in-the-bush/) - All living organisms go through stages of growth and reproduction. The emperor moth does its growing and reproducing in remarkable ways. - [The Little Things in Life](https://orc.eco/the-little-things-in-life/) - Say Hello to Eremoides bicristatus, one of southern Africa’s owl-flies. We picked it up at the ORC research campus on Ongava Game Reserve one early... - [The Elephants Versus The Bush: Photopoints help to reveal forgotten landscapes](https://orc.eco/the-elephants-versus-the-bush-photopoints-help-to-reveal-forgotten-landscapes/) - The Okaukuejo Waterhole is arguably Etosha’s most famous landmark. Its desolate landscape and memorable bare white rocks have been the background of... - [The early bird gets the worm, but the early termite gets the freezer…](https://orc.eco/the-early-bird-gets-the-worm-but-the-early-termite-gets-the-freezer/) - It’s high biomass season here at Ongava which means ORC’s Bio-Indicator Project, funded by Nedbank’s Go-Green Fund, is in full swing. - [The Cuando (aka Kwando): a river in its own right!](https://orc.eco/the-cuando-aka-kwando-a-river-in-its-own-right/) - nternational convention holds that a river should have one name along its entire course, which is normally the name given at its source. - [The battle of Cain and Abel](https://orc.eco/the-battle-of-cain-and-abel/) - Astonishing bloody battles play out in the nests of several species of eagles, herons, boobies, pelicans and certain other large birds. - [Sunday shopping done differently](https://orc.eco/sunday-shopping-done-differently/) - The mopane worm (Gonimbrasia belina) is an unusual edible little critter found in parts of southern Africa. Its life cycle is particularly interesting. - [Spotted cats on a full moon night](https://orc.eco/spotted-cats-on-a-full-moon-night/) - August full moon nocturnal monitoring was filled with sightings of our most secretive big cat. It started with 2 leopards were observed mating. - [Spending some time at the waterholes – Annual 72h count](https://orc.eco/spending-some-time-at-the-waterholes-annual-72h-count/) - In fenced game reserves, it is very important to have a clear idea of how many animals you have in order to manage them appropriately. - [ORC welcomes hyaena experts at its new facilities](https://orc.eco/orc-welcomes-hyaena-experts-at-its-new-facilities/) - In June 2019, ORC welcomed its first international visitors to a 3-day meeting of the Hyaena Distribution Mapping Project and the IUCN Hyaena specialist group.. - [Ongava’s Green Freckles - Remnants from the Past?](https://orc.eco/ongavas-green-freckles-remnants-from-the-past/) - Ongava Research Centre staff recently came across a distinct and intriguing vegetation patch on the western plains of Ongava. - [19°S: Space use by spotted hyaenas](https://orc.eco/19s-space-use-by-spotted-hyaenas/) - If you are a large carnivore enthusiast, you probably have heard that they are wide ranging species requiring a lot of space to establish their home ranges... - [Finding the Unexpected](https://orc.eco/finding-the-unexpected/) - Placing camera traps in unusual places can go one of two way: an interesting find or a great disappointment. Camera traps were placed alongside a latrine... - [Creepy-crawlies bonanza‼](https://orc.eco/creepy-crawlies-bonanza‼/) - The arrival of the rains not only triggers striking changes in the landscape with the vegetation turning from brown yellow to lush green, but it also brings... - [Dry season waterhole monitoring](https://orc.eco/dry-season-waterhole-monitoring/) - In October 2021, we conducted our annual camera trap monitoring of Ongava's waterholes. For a period of 7 days, we deployed multiple camera traps at each... - [Social distancing in giraffes?](https://orc.eco/social-distancing-in-giraffes/) - In these troubled times, we are revisiting ‘historical’ data - our giraffe data from 2016. After identifying the individuals (see previou ... - [Seeing Sounds: Surveying Ongava’s bats](https://orc.eco/seeing-sounds-surveying-ongavas-bats/) - Of all mammal groups, bats are the second most diverse with a whooping total of 1400 species worldwide and no less than 34 species native to Namibia. - [Seeds for a new generation of conservationists and scientists](https://orc.eco/seeds-for-a-new-generation-of-conservationists-and-scientists/) - Environmental science and conservation are life-long pursuits to understand and conserve the living world. Both vocations are built on the values of... - [sDNA Metabarcoding: Opening the Doors to Understanding Carnivore Diets](https://orc.eco/sdna-metabarcoding-opening-the-doors-to-understanding-carnivore-diets/) - Understanding carnivore diets, especially in Namibia where multiple large carnivores have overlapping niches, is important for conservation efforts and... - [Ringing in a new collaboration](https://orc.eco/ringing-in-a-new-collaboration/) - On May 7th, an inaugural bird-ringing session took place at the Ongava Game Reserve. The session was organized by the ORC and led by Ruben Portas, with... - [Queleas murmurations at Andersson's](https://orc.eco/queleas-murmurations-at-anderssons/) - Have you ever heard about queleas? Chances are you did hear about these huge flocks of small, red-billed birds destroying crops and being eradicated as pest? - [Ongava’s social spiders and Gabar goshawks](https://orc.eco/ongavas-social-spiders-and-gabar-goshawks/) - Although Gabar Goshawks are the commonest birds of prey (or raptor) on Ongava, finding their nests is not that easy. And each time we find one, questions... - [Of Mice and (Sher)Man](https://orc.eco/of-mice-and-sherman/) - Hi! I’m Theresa a Wildlife Conservation student from the UK who despite all the madness of the last 18 months was able to come to Ongava this May as part... - [Observation of vegetation changes between burned and unburned areas. Part 1](https://orc.eco/observation-of-vegetation-changes-between-burned-and-unburned-areas-part-1/) - After a good rainy season in North Central Namibia in 2020, the Ongava Research Centre received an ~ 514mm of rain and the vegetation in the area was... - [Natural Fire Breaks?](https://orc.eco/natural-fire-breaks/) - Fires could do great damage if they could get into the fairy forests shown in the previous blog, which leads us to the intriguing possibility that miombo... - [Multi-Purpose Trees: Cheetah Marking Posts or Lion Playgrounds?](https://orc.eco/multi-purpose-trees-cheetah-marking-posts-or-lion-playgrounds/) - In order to better understand the local carnivore populations, ORC recently placed camera traps at several cheetah marking trees on Ongava. - [Mopane scale insects](https://orc.eco/mopane-scale-insects/) - When I came to Ongava in mid-2018 its vegetation was extremely sparse and dry. Little rain fell in the 2018/2019 summer, which led to even bleaker... - [Mapping roads can be fun too!](https://orc.eco/mapping-roads-can-be-fun-too/) - A seasoned scientist once told me: 'Everything starts with a good map'. And that’s entirely true. Wildlife researchers struggle to interpret information... - [Mammals and their microbes: Unraveling the gut microbiome of Etosha's herbivores](https://orc.eco/mammals-and-their-microbes-unraveling-the-gut-microbiome-of-etoshas-herbivores/) - Elephant dung along a game trail Working with animal scat may not be the most glamorous way of studying African mammals, but thanks to advancements in... - [Long-term vegetation monitoring infrastructure at Ongava](https://orc.eco/long-term-vegetation-monitoring-infrastructure-at-ongava/) - The SECO project aims to increase our understanding of carbon fluxes across dry tropical vegetation. Globally, savannas, woodlands and dry forests form the.. - [Listening to giraffes: looking (literally!) for infra-sounds!](https://orc.eco/listening-to-giraffes-looking-literally-for-infra-sounds/) - Have you ever heard what the call of a giraffe? No? Well, us neither! This is why 2 French researchers (Thierry Lengagne & Christophe Bonenfant) from Lyon... - [Life & death on a roll: dung beetles and honey badgers](https://orc.eco/life-death-on-a-roll-dung-beetles-and-honey-badgers/) - Sometimes we come upon curious things while working in the field. It happened a few weeks ago when we noticed strange looking spherical shapes made of mud... - [If only ……. we had made a note of it](https://orc.eco/if-only-we-had-made-a-note-of-it/) - One thing biologists often curse is the lack of historical data, especially information recorded methodically on when certain events take place: When ... - [Identifying potential corridors and conservation areas for lions and elephants in northern Namibia](https://orc.eco/identifying-potential-corridors-and-conservation-areas-for-lions-and-elephants-in-northern-namibia/) - Hello, I am Corsa Liu, a recent graduate of the Technical University of Munich. In 2021 and 2022, I had the opportunity to work on my Master’s thesis to study.. - [How many giraffe live on Ongava?](https://orc.eco/how-many-giraffe-live-on-ongava/) - Obtaining reliable estimate for wildlife population sizes is highly desirable for management and conservation purposes but it is rarely... - [How do Black-winged Kites know when to breed?](https://orc.eco/how-do-black-winged-kites-know-when-to-breed/) - Several features of Black-winged Kite come from their specialisation on rodent prey which typically fluctuate widely in abundance from season to season, and... - [Here be dragons…](https://orc.eco/here-be-dragons/) - The first good rains of the year fell last week on the 4th of December when an unusual weather system reached Ongava. The winds and rain brought with them a... - [Getting to know Etosha's neighbours](https://orc.eco/getting-to-know-etoshas-neighbours/) - As with other protected areas in the world, Etosha National Park in north-western Namibia has similar problems with humans and dangerous wildlife... - [From the field to the lab: there is a (smelly) story written in scats…](https://orc.eco/from-the-field-to-the-lab-there-is-a-smelly-story-written-in-scats/) - Anyone who has ever worked with carnivores knows that this can be a rather smelly business. Whether it involves carcasses or fresh faeces... - [Feasts of Grasses](https://orc.eco/feasts-of-grasses/) - ORC has enjoyed visits from several eminent scientists and conservationists in the past year: Paul Maritz (conservationist and software developer), Pasquale... - [Family Planning for Lions](https://orc.eco/family-planning-for-lions/) - There are many challenges associated with managing wild populations within fenced areas. One of the major challenges associated with lion management is... - [Fairy Forests](https://orc.eco/fairy-forests/) - This image covers 9.5 km from west to east, and shows a stretch of miombo woodland in eastern Angola. Miombo is the name given to a broad area... - [Exploring the connectivity of fragmented lion populations](https://orc.eco/exploring-the-connectivity-of-fragmented-lion-populations/) - When we think about the African lion (Panthera leo), we picture a majestic predator from Africa, the king of the savanna. - [Elephant heat map](https://orc.eco/elephant-heat-map/) - To maintain a stable core body temperature, mammals need to regulate heat stress effectively. This is essential as many body functions are controlled by... - [Economic Blind Alleys](https://orc.eco/economic-blind-alleys/) - One of Ongava Research Centre's major interests focuses on this question: How can rural poverty be eradicated, and land degradation be reversed in Africa? - [Do termites inhibit the germination and growth of nearby plants?](https://orc.eco/do-termites-inhibit-the-germination-and-growth-of-nearby-plants/) - During field trips around Ongava, we see some termite mounds surrounded by areas of bare ground, while other mounds have shrubs, trees and grasses growing... - [Curiosity, big and small…](https://orc.eco/curiosity-big-and-small/) - Hello! I´m Tomás Azevedo, a veterinary student from Portugal. As of late I have been learning more about wildlife veterinary care, as well as conservation... - [Cheetah Marking Trees on Ongava](https://orc.eco/cheetah-marking-trees-on-ongava/) - Namibia is well known for harbouring about 25% of the remaining global cheetah population. Given the healthy lion and spotted hyaena populations on Ongava.. - [Black Mongoose](https://orc.eco/black-mongoose/) - Ongava is home to numerous endemic mammal, bird, reptile and plant species. But among mammals, only one is a carnivore and it is the black mongoose. - [Big birds with even bigger personalities](https://orc.eco/big-birds-with-even-bigger-personalities/) - Kori bustard, Ardeotis kori, and the Secretarybird, Sagittarius serpentarius, are the world’s heaviest flying bird and the world’s tallest raptor respectively. - [Annual Census](https://orc.eco/annual-census/) - During the second half of September, at the peak of this year’s drought, ORC conducted an intensive camera trapping survey on Ongava. - [Animal husbandry, herding & livestock movements in the northern periphery of Etosha National Park](https://orc.eco/animal-husbandry-herding-livestock-movements-in-the-northern-periphery-of-etosha-national-park/) - Villages in rural Africa are multifunctional and play important ecosystem services in providing space for grazing, crop cultivation, rainwater absorption... - [All big things start small](https://orc.eco/all-big-things-start-small/) - During my time at the Ongava Research Centre (ORC) this year, I worked in the lab analysing biological samples from elephants. - [A spotted rooftop visitor spotted…](https://orc.eco/a-spotted-rooftop-visitor-spotted/) - The roof top of the Visitor Centre is the best spot to watch the sunset (or the sunrise if you are a morning person…), so it should come as no surprise that... - [Powering up! VARTA sponsorship for our camera traps](https://orc.eco/powering-up-varta-sponsorship-for-our-camera-traps/) - If you have been following this space, you are most probably aware that we use camera traps a lot. And by a lot, I mean that our camera trap deployment at waterholes on Ongava has led to more than 8 million of photos being taken since 2009! The data collected helps us answering questions related - [A river runs through it…](https://orc.eco/a-river-runs-through-it/) - You probably have quite often heard that Namibia is a very dry place. Indeed, some parts of the country are ones of the driest on the planet and Ongava... - [A balancing act – figuratively and literally](https://orc.eco/a-balancing-act-figuratively-and-literally/) - Life has been tough for Ongava’s animals and plants during this year's extraordinary drought, the worst since 1980 and 1981. - [A noisy business: listening to rock hyraxes on Ongava](https://orc.eco/a-noisy-business-listening-to-rock-hyraxes-on-ongava/) - Wildlife produces a lot of sound. From insects to mammals, including fish and birds, auditory communication –signals emitted through the acoustic channel.. - [To cross or not to cross? The effects of fences around Etosha on large carnivore movement.](https://orc.eco/to-cross-or-not-to-cross-the-effects-of-fences-around-etosha-on-large-carnivore-movement/) - Fencing represents one of the most common linear infrastructures in the world and is used for a variety of reasons, including wildlife management. - [Looking beyond the light: how does artificial lighting at waterholes affect mammal behaviour?](https://orc.eco/looking-beyond-the-light-how-does-artificial-lighting-at-waterholes-affect-mammal-behaviour/) - Earlier this year, I wrote a blog post about one of my PhD dissertation chapters on carnivore diets. A few weeks ago, we kicked off data collection for ano... - [Highlight on collared carnivores in Etosha](https://orc.eco/highlight-on-collared-carnivores-in-etosha/) - If you have visited Etosha National Park in the past 2 years, chances are that you saw lions or spotted hyaenas wearing radio collars. - [How old is your fairy?](https://orc.eco/how-old-is-your-fairy/) - People travel from far to see iconic elephants, rhinos and lions in Ongava – three of the Big Five. Ecologists laud these animals for being ecosystem engineers. - [Unveiling the Hidden Treasures of Etosha National Park](https://orc.eco/unveiling-the-hidden-treasures-of-etosha-national-park/) - Etosha National Park’s diverse landscapes harbor some of the most elusive species across Africa. Fortunately, camera traps allow us to delve into the world of.. - [Right on track? How reliable are our wildlife tracking devices?](https://orc.eco/right-on-track-how-reliable-are-our-wildlife-tracking-devices/) - Wildlife scientists have been using tracking devices and telemetry for more than 60 years. With the rise of the GPS and satellite technologies, we can now... - [Queen takes King: dynamic interactions between spotted hyaenas and lions.](https://orc.eco/queen-takes-king-dynamic-interactions-between-spotted-hyaenas-and-lions/) - Spotted hyaenas have been traditionally thought to be only a lowly scavenger, stealing from lion kills and being subordinate to them. - [Our Visitor Centre is open!](https://orc.eco/our-visitor-centre-is-open/) - After many months of preparation, we were very pleased to welcome friends and families to the opening of Ongava Visitor Centre on 29th June. - [Our team is expanding: Meet Frowin Becker!](https://orc.eco/our-team-is-expanding-meet-frowin-becker/) - ORC recently recruited Namibian researcher Frowin Becker as Scientist and Liaison Officer. Frowin is an avian ecologist with an eclectic set of interests. - [Our new spotted hyaena paper - Dyads and Networks](https://orc.eco/our-new-spotted-hyaena-paper-dyads-and-networks/) - If you ask me, the spotted hyaena is one of the most interesting and exciting species to study. One of the reasons for that is that even though they live in large groups, all clan members are rarely, if ever, seen together. This makes estimating density and clan size quite tricky. Additionally, hyaenas forage alone - [ORC students stealing the show at the Warnell Graduate Student Symposium!](https://orc.eco/orc-students-stealing-the-show-at-the-warnell-graduate-student-symposium/) - Updated: Feb 14, 2023 It is customary for Universities to organise symposium where students present their projects and results, the Warnell School of Forestry & Natural Resources of the University of Georgia (UGA) is no different. Early February, the Warnell Graduate Student Symposium took place which is an event for students of all disciplines in - [ORC scientists act as the editorial team for the Namibian Journal of Environment](https://orc.eco/orc-scientists-act-as-the-editorial-team-for-the-namibian-journal-of-environment/) - Updated: Mar 28, 2022 This is actually old news we haven’t shared with you yet. A year ago, ORC’s research team of ( Ken Stratford, John Mendelsohn, Florian Weise and Stéphane Périquet), were given the opportunity to take over from John Irish as the Editorial team of our very own Namibian scientific journal, the Namibian - [Of teeth and claws](https://orc.eco/of-teeth-and-claws/) - Updated: Jan 13, 2022 Taking stock of carnivore research in the Greater Etosha Landscape The Greater Etosha Landscape (GEL) is host to a wide diversity of carnivores, with an almost complete guild of large carnivores (only the African wild dog is missing). This landscape also exemplifies the situation of many protected areas in the world, - [Namibia’s new Atlas](https://orc.eco/namibias-new-atlas/) - A new atlas of Namibia was published this year. This is the third geographical profile and atlas of Namibia. The first, the National Atlas of South West Afri... - [Hyena Distribution Mapping Project](https://orc.eco/hyena-distribution-mapping-project/) - In June 2019, ORC will be hosting a 3-day workshop of the IUCN Hyena Specialist Group, the first of the group in two decades! - [Guiding Bio-indicator collections](https://orc.eco/guiding-bio-indicator-collections/) - It’s no secret, environmental changes are apparent the world over. But what drives these changes is often more secretive. While some change may be due to natural fluctuations, others are due to human presence. With changes often happening over long periods and over broad areas, long-term and large-scale monitoring is required to document and understand - [Greater Etosha Carnivore Programme in full swing: collaring lions in Etosha](https://orc.eco/greater-etosha-carnivore-programme-in-full-swing-collaring-lions-in-etosha/) - Updated: Nov 10, 2022 Capture and collaring exercises are always exciting, but they are even more special in the early stages of our Greater Etosha Carnivore Programme! Early in May 2022, our colleagues from IZW (Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Germany) set off on a mission to equip 18 lions in central Etosha - [Gone with the wind: How wind speed affects Bat-eared foxes foraging activities](https://orc.eco/gone-with-the-wind-how-wind-speed-affects-bat-eared-foxes-foraging-activities/) - Not all carnivores are big and dangerous to work with. Some are just furry little things with big ears, wandering around looking for termites and other insects to eat! And when these guys are habituated to the point that they allow humans to follow them around while they go about their nightly business, you have - [Genetic constitution and genetic structure of lion populations in northern Namibia](https://orc.eco/genetic-constitution-and-genetic-structure-of-lion-populations-in-northern-namibia/) - Updated: Dec 17, 2021 African lions are estimated to occur in only 12.5 % of their historical range, with the result that many of their populations are fragmented. This study compiled information to assess the genetic constitution and structure of fragmented lion populations in northern Namibia. The knowledge gained can be used to improve the - [Crouching lion & coursing hyaenas: Which one zebras are more afraid of?](https://orc.eco/crouching-lion-coursing-hyaenas-which-one-zebras-are-more-afraid-of/) - Predators and their prey have complex relationships that are influenced by a range of factors. Each predator species has its own preferences for what prey to eat, which can be affected by its size, sociality, habitat, season, and more. Over the past two decades, the Landscape of Fear concept has helped us understand these relationships - [Counting giraffes at waterholes: which method to choose?](https://orc.eco/counting-giraffes-at-waterholes-which-method-to-choose/) - If you have been reading previous blogs, I am sure that by now, you are familiar with the fact that ecologists like to count things, especially animals! And wildlife managers like doing that even more than we do, maybe because they need that data to manage their area and populations efficiently. It is said that - [Africa’s drylands in a changing world](https://orc.eco/africas-drylands-in-a-changing-world/) - In June 2019, a symposium was held at Mokuti Lodge, just outside the Von Lindquist gate in eastern Etosha. At that time, the park was celebrating 112 years since proclamation, and it was the perfect opportunity to reflect on its rich history of wildlife conservation and research. It was in a context of increasing concern - [Conservation Status and Red List of the Terrestrial Carnivores of Namibia](https://orc.eco/conservation-status-and-red-list-of-the-terrestrial-carnivores-of-namibia/) - For some books about carnivores, we already know a lot, but for many others even the most basic knowledge of presence or abundance is missing. - [At home or passing through? What do we know about leopards on Ongava](https://orc.eco/at-home-or-passing-through-what-do-we-know-about-leopards-on-ongava/) - Leopards are top of the wish list of animals to see on safaris, and Ongava Game Reserve is no exception. While the reserve seems to have perfect terrain for leopards, hills, rocks and tall trees, as well a full suite of their favourite prey, we, and the guests, rarely see them. However, when we check - [Talking about our spotted cats at the Global Leopard Conference](https://orc.eco/talking-about-our-spotted-cats-at-the-global-leopard-conference/) - The Global Leopard Conference took place from the 13 to 17th of March 2023. This was one of a kind virtual event fully dedicated to one species! - [A novel genetic group of Macrotermes termites in Ongava](https://orc.eco/a-novel-genetic-group-of-macrotermes-termites-in-ongava/) - Macrotermes termites have a symbiotic relationship with Basidiomycetes fungi and play important ecological roles as soil conditioners in Africa and Asia. - [The end of an era at ORC](https://orc.eco/the-end-of-an-era-at-orc/) - Now comes the time for ORC to close a chapter. At the end of October, we had to say goodbye to John Mendelshon as he retires from being our Executive Director. A lot has been accomplished during his 5 years with ORC. But we will not reflect on work here... Instead, we wish to express - [Taking our bio-indicator work to Okonjima](https://orc.eco/taking-our-bio-indicator-work-to-okonjima/) - ORC field technician, Simeon Naholo, describes a recent visit to Okonjima with one of ORC's flagship research programmes. - [Seminar Series well underway](https://orc.eco/seminar-series-well-underway/) - In July of this year ORC hosted its inaugural seminar in a series of talks, which are meant to bring our work and that of our collaborators and partners closer to those beyond the boundaries of Ongava. As we gain more momentum, we also hope to cultivate a space for diverse ideas, knowledge and thought ## Pages - [Home](https://orc.eco/) - ONGAVA Research Centre The Ongava Research Centre is located on Ongava Game Reserve on the south-western edge of Namibia’s Etosha National Park. As part of the Greater Etosha Landscape, we are ideally placed to conduct and facilitate conservation and ecologically oriented research in a changing dryland environment READ MORE ABOUT ORC PROGRAMmeS large-scale | long-term - [Team and Partners](https://orc.eco/team/) - MEET the team RESIDENT STAFF RESEARCH FELLOWS ASSOCIATES STUDENTS & INTERNS BOARD OF DIRECTORS Resident Staff Alfeus Tuhafeni Albertu General Assistant Read More Tuhafeni is a general assistant at Ongava Research Centre (ORC), where he started in 2022. Born in Oshakati in northern Namibia, Tuhafeni is responsible for the general maintenance of ORC’s grounds and - [Publications](https://orc.eco/publications/) - ORC Publications Journal articles 2026 | Assisted tree regeneration for sustainable forest management Exploring assisted tree regeneration to support sustainable forest management in the Mopane and Baikiaea woodlands of Southern Africa Amupolo, H. N.; De Cauwer, V.; ... ; Becker, R. W. Trees, Forests and People Read Full Text 2026 | Recent fire regimes in - [Annual Reports](https://orc.eco/annual-reports/) - Annual Reports - [Monitoring & Conservation Management](https://orc.eco/monitoring-and-conservation-management/) - Monitoring & conservation management Ongava Research Centre will support the development and management of neighbouring conservation areas, such as Ongava Game Reserve (OGR), Etosha National Park and the African Wildlife Conservation Trust (AWCT) in their conservation projects that support Etosha and its neighbours. The following are planned; of which some will be adjusted, and others - [Highland Endemism](https://orc.eco/endemism-genetic-variation-and-conservation-in-the-south-western-highlands-of-africa/) - Endemism in the South-Western Highlands of Africa Between the Congo and Orange River lies a range of plateaus, inselbergs, and escarpments. These southwestern African highlands are home to several hundred endemic plants and animals, species that occur nowhere else in the world. Some are even recognised as endemic genera. Many more endemics await documentation in - [Carbon Cycling](https://orc.eco/carbon-cycling/) - Carbon Cycling in Drylands Understanding carbon cycling is fundamental to addressing climate change, biodiversity loss, and land degradation. Drylands cover more than 40% of the Earth's surface and play a critical but often overlooked role in the global carbon budget. Because of their sparse vegetation, low biomass, and episodic productivity, drylands have traditionally been underestimated - [Camera Trap Database](https://orc.eco/camera-trap-database/) - CAMERA TRAP DATABASE The nature of Ongava’s terrain and vegetation led to camera trapping becoming an important source of wildlife information, for research and management purposes. Since 2009, ORC has keyworded and stored well over 6 500 000 wildlife images, predominantly from the reserve’s permanent artificial water holes. We invite researchers to analyse and use - [A Citizen Science Survey](https://orc.eco/citizensciencesurvey/) - A Citizen Science Survey of Cheetah and Leopard in Etosha In the realm of wildlife conservation and management, accurately estimating species population sizes and structures is essential. This is particularly crucial for keystone species, such as large carnivores, as they play a pivotal role in ecosystems due to their position at the top of the - [A Bio-Indicator Repository](https://orc.eco/bio-indicators/) - a Bio-Indicator Repository for Namibia Measuring environmental change requires suitable samples, such as materials collected from biological indicators (bio-indicators). These are organic materials or organisms that are sensitive to, and suitably reflect, changes in environmental conditions. When collected regularly, bio-indicators enable empirical measurement of changes, driven both by natural variation and humans. The Ongava Research - [Contact and Support](https://orc.eco/contact/) - get in​​ touch support our research Your support has the potential to significantly contribute to our conservation efforts and the protection of wildlife through the research we are conducting. make a donation we look forward to hearing from you Do you have a question? Are you interested in our research? Are you a prospective postgraduate student?Give - [Programmes](https://orc.eco/programmes/) - OngoingPROGRAMmeS a Bio-Indicator Repository for Namibia Measuring environmental change requires suitable samples, such as materials collected from biological indicators. These are organic materials or organisms that are sensitive to, and suitably reflect, changes in environmental conditions. read more Endemism in the South-Western Highlands of Africa Between the Congo and Orange Rivers lies a range of - [About Ongava & Etosha](https://orc.eco/about-ongava-etosha/) - About THE LANDSCAPE Kalahari and Cuvelai basins Cuvelai basin elevations Etosha and its pans Geological history Average temperature Geological history Rainfall Rainfall variation Sunshine hours - [Research](https://orc.eco/research/) - research Ongava Research Centre is committed to advancing knowledge under the umbrella of dryland conservation and ecology. Feel free to browse our flagship projects and other collaborative efforts. Ongoing large-scale & long-term research programmes Monitoring & Conservation Management Highland Endemic Greater Etosha Carnivores Other ongoing research Other research Feel free to reach out to us, - [Facilities](https://orc.eco/facilities/) - OUR FACILITIES Ongava Research Centre is located in a fenced compound at Anderssons at Ongava on Ongava Game Reserve. Our workspaces are well-equipped and air conditioned, while internet access is provided at all facilities. We are always open to hosting researchers and students, so get in touch if our work or location is of interest - [About](https://orc.eco/about/) - ABOUT ONGAVA Research Centre The Ongava Research Centre (ORC) is located on Ongava Game Reserve on the south-western edge of Namibia’s Etosha National Park (or just Etosha). As part of the Greater Etosha landscape, ORC is ideally placed to facilitate conservation and ecologically oriented research in a changing dryland environment. Having been called into life - [​Greater Etosha Carnivore Programme](https://orc.eco/greater-etosha-carnivore/) - Greater Etosha Carnivore Programme Context Our rapidly changing world presents unfamiliar challenges, from a changing climate to human-driven habitat conversion. Carnivores, especially larger species, can be highly sensitive to such changes, and because of their position at the top of the food web, their globally declining populations can cause major shifts in the ecosystems they - [News](https://orc.eco/news/) - New insights from ORC: Recent publications March 31, 2025 Our mission here at Ongava Research Centre (ORC) is to advance ecological research that informs conservation efforts in Namibia and beyond. Our … Counting carnivores in the Greater Etosha Landscape (cont.) February 19, 2025 We're excited to share some preliminary findings from last year's carnivore playback - [Donation Confirmation](https://orc.eco/donation-confirmation/) - [give_receipt] - [Donation Failed](https://orc.eco/donation-failed/) - We're sorry, your donation failed to process. Please try again or contact site support. - [Donor Dashboard](https://orc.eco/donor-dashboard/) - [Terms and Conditions](https://orc.eco/terms-and-conditions/) - Terms and Conditions Introduction These terms and conditions apply to all donations made through our WooCommerce website. By making a donation, you agree to these terms and conditions in full. If you do not agree to these terms and conditions, you must not make a donation. Donations We accept donations made through our WooCommerce platform - [Privacy Policy](https://orc.eco/privacy-policy/) - Privacy Policy WHO WE ARE Suggested text: Our website address is: https://orc.eco. 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