ResearchInstitute

DESCRIPTION OF PROGRAM

The South West Africa Wildlife Preservation and Research Institute
is specifically organized to be a Private Wildlife Reserve and Public
Institute. The property on which the corporation operates is at the
eastern side of the Ai-Ais Richtersveld Transfrontier Conservation
Park at the base of the Hunsberge Mountain Range in the Karas
Region of Southern Namibia. The central thrust of all programs
within the organization are to preserve and perpetuate the existing
wildlife and flora, now and in the future, as well as developing sound
management and wildlife sustainable programs for wildlife in the
present geographical habitat and other similar habitats. The institute
will continually study and evaluate all aspects of wildlife relating to
habits, food, societal relations within herds and with other herds or
species, health and welfare status and genus. Animals are to be
protected against hybridization even though released back into the
wild. Animals are not sold or traded and the corporate code of
conduct is followed at all times. Flora will be identified, catalogued,
and protected against the illegal collection of plants for trade,
destruction, or any other removal of flora. The institute will develop
data banks, maintain library materials and periodically publish
papers related to research and findings to all like organizations, the
scientific community, departments within educational institutions,
students, the general public and media. The institute will also
provide a realistic setting in an actual location where students
pursuing educational programs in Biology, Zoology and the
Veterinary Medical Sciences may receive "hands on training'" in
concert with academic instruction on site. The education of the
general public is also included to promote an appreciation of the
absolute need for continuation of all species of wildlife,
environmental protection, the ecological considerations and the
necessity of sound conservation practices. Tourists and the visiting
public will be made aware of the Succulent Karoo Hotspot and its
greatest extra-tropical concentration of higher plant species in the
world. They will understand that they are visiting one of the world’s
most biologically rich and threatened areas. Tourists and the
visiting public will also witness many rare and endangered species
as listed by the IUCN Red list of Threatened Species as well as other
on site observations. The public must achieve an understanding
that humanity and wildlife can and must coexist in natural harmony.
The program also envisions an area where the public may visit and
peacefully recreate while sharing the closeness of nature and
wildlife. The organization will offer employment opportunities to
selected persons in the geographical area, their families, help
develop cottage industries, and provide training. By implementing a
successful eco-tourism strategy, we can become a powerful force in
raising awareness for responsible travel, conservation, and
preservation of the biodiversity ‘hot spot” we reside in.

At the present time, the habitats of wildlife are being systematically
diminished through the encroachment of humans. The greatest
threats facing wildlife are the loss of a sustainable habitat, the lack of
human awareness, education and respect to the needs of wildlife,
indiscriminate hunting and poaching and the requisite dedication on
the part of mankind towards the preservation of their wildlife
heritage and flora. A botanical survey is necessary to catalog and
identify the unique vegetation found throughout the property which
consists of many variations of evergreen shrubs, tall aloes, and
succulents. Some examples of identified flora are Aloe Pillansii
(Bastard Quiver Tree) and Pachypodiumm Namaquanum (Elephant’s
trunk) both are listed on the IUCN’s Red List of Threatened Species.
As of this writing there are only 3 locations remaining in the world for
the Hartman’s Mountain Zebra which are endangered among other
animals on the location and all are located in the Republic of
Namibia. By mid-year of 2010, there will probably be only 2
remaining locations. The exact number of the remaining Mountain
Zebra are unknown but their numbers are greatly diminished. The
Tent Tortoise is nearly extinct numbering less than 300 in Namibia.
Other animals that freely roam the property include the Cheetah,
Impala, Springbok, Black Footed Cat, Brown Hyena, Cape Pangolin,
Mountain Zebra, Tent Tortoise, Klipspringer, Gemsbok, Common
Eland and the Grey Rhebok which are also listed on the IUCN Red
List of threatened species. Additionally, there are 4 small herds of
wildlife which have been located, photographed, have not been
species identified or studied, and require attention. There is a strong
possibility that one of the herds may be of a species heretofore
considered extinct and more study and mtDNA are required for
classification. AII are present on the land on which the organization
operates. The land on which the organization operates is the
homeland for over 61 Mammalian species, a wide variety of bird life,
reptilian species, and insects. The majority of the flora has not been
classified or cataloged. The mission of the South West Africa
Wildlife Preservation and Research Institute is to secure, study,
manage and care for and perpetuate the continued existence of this
wildlife for future generations. Methodology also includes providing
opportunities for public education and flora, exposure, and student
learning/participation.