Fence bridges wildlife conservation and community safety

Safer space in lion country
Rozanne Swart
  • 5 Days Ago

In north-western Namibia, where desert-adapted lions roam vast, remote landscapes, living alongside wildlife is part of everyday life. But for children attending school in these areas, the presence of large predators can pose a serious safety concern.

A new protective fence around Otjizeka Primary School aims to make the school grounds safer, helping learners attend classes and play with greater peace of mind.

The project was funded by ultimate.earth, formerly Ultimate Safaris, through its Conservation Travel Foundation (CTF), in partnership with the Lion Recovery Fund and Desert Lion Conservation. The initiative cost nearly N$100,000 and was coordinated by Simson Uri-Khob, chief executive of Save the Rhino Trust Namibia.

The fence addresses concerns about lions moving through the surrounding area, where their presence can put children at risk. It provides a physical barrier around the school, offering reassurance to learners, teachers and parents while supporting a more secure environment for learning.

For communities living alongside wildlife, the project highlights a key challenge in conservation: protecting animals must go hand in hand with protecting people. “Conservation can only succeed in the long term if the people who share their landscapes with wildlife are safe and supported,” said Tristan Cowley, managing director of ultimate.earth and founder of the CTF.

“Protecting children and creating a safe environment for them to learn is fundamental. This initiative is a practical example of how conservation partners can work together to address the real challenges faced by communities living alongside Namibia’s remarkable wildlife.”

Namibia’s desert-adapted lions are an important part of the country’s natural heritage, but living near them can bring real risks for rural communities. Projects such as the Otjizeka school fence show how conservation organisations and tourism businesses can work with local partners to address those risks.