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News
l November 2005 |
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Experts
discuss future of the horses
The Wild Horses of the Namib do not pose a threat
to indigenous plants or animals in Namib Naukluft Park.
This is the result of a study presented by biologist Telané
Greyling at a meeting of experts held at Cañon
Village at the Fish River Canyon last weekend.
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The horses are descended from army, stud
and farm horses which were lost during and after World
War I near Garub and Kubub and started to run wild. Some
conservationists were concerned that the 'intruders' would
interfere with the original flora and fauna which Namib
Naukluft Park is supposed to protect and preserve. Indeed
there were plans to move the horses to farms. |
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Biologist Telané Greyling
presents the results of her study. |
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Supported by the Ministry for the Environment
and Tourism, Greyling studied the horses and their impact
on the environment for years. In particular she compared
species and the numbers of individual plants and animals
in the area of the horses with similar areas nearby without
horses. The outcome: there is no significant difference. |
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The considerable costs caused by the horses
were another reason for the resettlement plans. Droughts
are a recurring feature in the horses’ habitat at
the eastern fringe of the Namib – at times conditions
are so severe that human intervention is unavoidable if
the horse population is to be preserved. The meeting of
experts – with representatives from the Ministry,
from science, nature conservation, tourism and the media
- therefore also discussed the problem of preservation
and formulated goals and possible steps. |
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© 2007 Nature Investments (Pty) Ltd |
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- More pictures at www.namibhorses.com
- For a detailed media release see
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www.gondwana-desert-collection.com
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