2016 activity report - toscotrust.files.wordpress.com · 4 tosco : tourism supporting conservation...

2016 Activity Report

12016 Activity Report

About TOSCOContents

ResearchDesert Lion Conservation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2Desert Elephant Conservation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3Kwando Carnivore Project . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Living with WildlifeRhino Rangers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6Game Guards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7Human‹—›Lion Conflict . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8Conservation Contribution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9Snake Conservation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

Public AwarenessResponsible Travel Brochure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12Desert Elephant Pamphlet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13Boards for National Parks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14Merchandise . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Funds2016 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

PartnersCurrent Partners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

SponsorsCategory Lion and Category Cheetah . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19Category Leopard and Category Caracal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20Sponsor Benefits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Better TogetherA call for Volunteers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22Words of Appreciation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23

Mission: “To develop responsible travel by supporting conservation”

Tourism Supporting Conservation (TOSCO) is a Namibian nonprofit

organization connecting tourism to conservation and communities for the

benefit of all.

TOSCO promotes responsible travel by sponsoring conservation programs, supporting people living with wildlife

and raising public awareness.

Namibia Background and Facts

• Namibia is the only country with an expanding free-roaming lion population outside national parks,

• There are three times more rhinos in Namibia today than there were in 1982,

• Namibia boasts the world’s largest free-roaming population of black rhino,

• There are three times more elephants in the country today than there were in 1995,

• In 2013 communities generated US$6 million in revenue, thanks to conservation efforts,

• More and more territory has come under conservation management in Namibia as a result and today it makes up 44% of the total land area, a leap from just 12% in 1990 at independance.

2 32016 Activity ReportTOSCO : Tourism supporting Conservation

“This valuable contribution from TOSCO will therefore be another major boost for the project in that it has enabled the purchase of a 2 new satellite collars as well as pre-paid air time for 2 years.

Key lion and lioness posing a potential threat to the livelihood of the farmers will be identified and by attaching this collar, this will hopefully avert the inevitable livestock losses and subsequent elimination of the desert adapted lions as the necessary precautionary steps can be put into place in time to prevent these.”

Dr Stander, Desert Lion Conservation

ResearchDesert Elephant ConservationResearch Desert Lion Conservation

2 satellite collars for desert-adapted lion and leopard (65 320NAD)

The satellite collars provides valuable information about the movements of the prides and thus their behavior. The lions can also be monitored to avoid conflict when they come close to human settlements.

On behalf of the Trust, I would like to extend my immense gratitude

to you at Tosco for your continued wonderful support. It is greatly appreciated and I notice that Dr. Stander is quite motivated

knowing that he will soon receive new satellite collars.

Logistics for field research trip (35 000 NAD)

Desert Elephant Conservation promotes the long-term conservation of Namibia’s desert elephant population through research, monitoring, and the sharing of knowledge.

The contribution from TOSCO for the research project is enormously helpful. The desert elephants of the Kunene are not radio-collared and are spread over enormous distances which require extensive driving. It is critical to maintain data on individual elephants and the movement, activities, and dynamics of herds in this threatened population, especially in locations with high potential for human/wildlife conflict. Efforts are being made to inform and educate local communities about the elephants in their area, the non-lethal options for deterring elephants from villages and crops, and the potential benefit desert elephants can provide in terms of tourism income. Thank you for helping to protect the unique desert-dwelling elephants of Namibia’s Kunene region.

A new satellite collar from Vectronic Aerospace, sponsored by TOSCO, was fitted to an adult male lion (photo) from the upper Barab Pride.

“It is the goal of the project to help alleviate conflict issues in the farming area through knowledge of elephant numbers, movement and activity patterns. TOSCO supports this cause immensely.

As initiated by you, we need to build a bridge between different stakeholders in the area, scientists, tourism professionals and local communities to help each other. We want free flow information, an open book with public access”

Sincerely, Dr L.Brown and R.Ramey


Research Kwando Carnivore Project

Vehicle maintenance (20 000 N$)

The Kwando Carnivore Project is based in the Zambezi Region of Namibia. The overall aim of the KCP is the conserva-tion of large carnivores through applied research and human wildlife conflict mitigation.

“During 2016, TOSCO provided financial support for my field vehicle to carry out survey and monitoring work in the Zambezi Region to monitor waterholes. I also collaborated with the Ministry of Environment and Tourism to carry out the first camera trap survey on leopards in Mahango Core Area. I’ll start working with WWF in Namibia on the monitoring of a permanent wildlife connectivity area called the Sobbe Corridor. It was due the financial support received from the TOSCO trust that made much of this possible, you are a valued project partner in carnivore conservation in the Zambezi Region.”

Kindest regardsLise Hanssen, Project Coordinator

We should be supportive of local communities who have the will to assume

their role of hosts and conservation managers with the little means they have; rather than be exposed as a touristic curiosity or, even worse,

completely ignored.”

Living with Wildlife


Protecting rhinos during the current poaching crisis has emerged as one of the world’s greatest conservation challenges. Knowing the movement, behavior and population trends of rhino populations are fundamental to these efforts and underscores the important role the monitoring plays towards combating poaching. Equally, ensuring that the individuals tasked with this dangerous and daring job remain loyal and motivated to their work is absolutely essential.

Therefore, in addition to offering a decent wage, SRT have pioneered a performance-based bonus system that rewards rangers for various aspects of their monitoring work. The bonus amount is calculated based upon how many rhinos they see and whether they capture accurate information about the sighting including a photograph. This ensures that all sightings are properly documented with correct identification. Without a doubt, SRT’s bonus system has instilled a strong incentive for all rhino rangers to improve both the quality and quantity of their rhino monitoring.

First we the Ohungu conservancy Management would like to express our great thankfulness to TOSCO. Who in the history of Ohungu conservancy is first organization to make the future of our staff a reality. They are now getting a little income even to put something on their table. This is the first time since the establishments of our conservancy in 2007.They have worked voluntary ever since even in dangerous situations, but yet they have put their effort in any activity of the Ohungu conservancy. They have made several arrest whereby the poachers where convicted.

The gameguards has put up fix routes with the help of MET in which they are patrolling every month. They have already started with the foot and bicycle patrols. They have seen a small group of wildlife despite the big drought in our area.

This is what our gameguards have seen during their fix route patrol:

SPECIES NUMBER ADULTS SUB-ADULTS JUVENILES

Elephant 1 1

Duiker 5 5

Springbok 59 31 20 8

Korribustard 1 1

Steenbok 4 4

Warthog 1 1

Giraffe spoor 1

Hyena spoor 4

Living with WildlifeGame Guards

Salaries and equipment for anti-poaching patrols (19 209 N$)

Game guards #Khoadi Hoas and Ohungu conservancies

Rhino Rangers

Rhino Rangers monitoring (20 000N$)

“We thank TOSCO for supporting these critical expenses at a vital time.”

Living with Wildlife


Living with WildlifeConservation Contribution

On communal land the local communities carry the costs of conserving the wildlife that tourists come to enjoy. To contribute more to covering the costs of conservation and living with wildlife, the members of the TOSCO community have committed themselves to paying a voluntary conservation contribution of 50 N$ per guest per day for their nature-focussed activities, as well as an additional 50 N$ per guest per night for wild camping. The contributions are paid to TOSCO from where they will be passed on to the specific conservancies to mitigate human/ wildlife conflict.

Several media have covered the TOSCO Conservation Contribution. Travel News Namibia called the TOSCO Conservation Contribution a “landmark fund”.

We would like to thank all TOSCO sponsors who are already implementing the contribution!

Torra, Sesfontein and Puros conservancies (16 050 N$ raised)

As tourists we enjoy rhinos, lions and beautiful landscapes. Unlike in a national park, where you have to pay an entrance fee to manage animals, conservancies can be visited for free. But the cost of

living with wildlife remains.

“TOSCO

continues to be a valuable

partner between Tour Operators and

the Conservancies, and NGO’s and com-

munities in the CBNRM programme. The support by

TOSCO members to contribute a trespassing fee or

use of the resource in the conservancies during 2015

prove to be a significant milestone for conservation in

communal areas as well as other parts in the country.

Conservation is everybody’s business and TOSCO is

making that difference, looking forward to work

with TOSCO IN 2016!”

Maxi Louis, NACSO chairwoman.

Living with Wildlife Human‹—›Lion Conflict

Predator-proof kraal in farming area, Lion rangers salary and equipment

(71 266 N$)

The number of human wildlife conflict incidents involving lions is increasing and the losses of livestock are of serious concern to local farmers. The Palmwag Concession area serves as a “core wildlife area”, with wildlife breeding up and spilling over into the neighboring conservancies.

Trials with two lion-proof kraals over the last two years have shown that strong, well constructed kraals to be an effective mitigation measure against lions.

Rodney Tjavara from Puros Conservancy has been instrumental in the manage-ment of Human-Lion conflict in the area. He successfully chased many times the lions away and mitigated with the farmers and herders. Unfortunately he could not prevent all the incidents.


Living with Wildlife Snake Conservation

Kicking off the first reptile conservation organization in Namibia SCAN

(5 000 N$)

Snakes are important for all ecosystems in Namibia. That fact is often overlooked.TOSCO does not only care for lions and elephants, but for whole ecosystems. Only with a holistic view can we hope to keep habitats for the iconic species intact.

The Snake Conservation Association of Namibia (SCAN) is a voluntary or-ganization formed in February 2016, founded by enthusiasts with an interest and experience in conservation of Snake species in Namibia. Our mission is to develop reptile research and conservation in Namibia by raising aware-ness, collecting data and mitigating human-snake conflict.

The donation generously provided by TOSCO enables us to purchase equipment such as tubes and buckets which are used in the rescuing and measurement of snakes. We are also using part of this donation to provide information leaflets as part of our intention to educate the members of the public on reptiles and snakes. We intend to produce further visual materials such as identification charts and posters which will use in education cam-paigns particularly in community meetings and school presentations.

We are exceedingly thankful for this spon-sorship which helps in being able to carry out our conservation efforts!Snakes are proof of a healthy

environment.

Don’t kill snakes, relocate them safely! Namibian snake expert François Theart relocating

Zebra snake (Naja Nigrincta) in Khomas region.

Photographic tourism has the potential to provide significant income for

conservation that supports its industry.

Unfortunately, it often does not live up to this expectation.”

Public Awareness


Public Awareness

10 000 pamphlets sponsored and distributed (10 565 N$)

Desert Elephant Pamphlet

During your safari you might encounter wild desert-dwelling elephants. Here are some guidelines to keep you and the elephants safe as well as learning about them.

Public Awareness Responsible Travel Brochure

20 000 brochures sponsored and distributed (17 267 N$)

“On the one

hand Tourism is recognized for its

potential as revenue earner, promoting employment

and development.

On the other hand it also brings problems in the form of pollution, off road

driving, disturbance of wildlife and general disruption of the fragile ecosystem

of the wilderness.

Not all aspects of tourism are desirable, and the future of tourism will

have to be strictly responsible.”

Kaokoveld, the last wilderness – A.Hall Martin

TOSCO Trust promotes

responsible travel,

supports conservation and

people living with wildlife in

Namibia’s communal land.

EnjoyTravelling in

Your Guide

TOSCO is a proud partner of:

TOSCO Trust - +264(0)81 4535 855

[email protected] / www.tosco.org

P.O. Box 91159, Windhoek - NoT86/12

Take only pictures, leave only footprints!

NAMIBIA

If you take it in, take it out!

“Responsible travel in natural areas conserves the

environment and sustains the well being of the

local people “ Ecotourism society (1990)

Responsibly

RESPONSIBLE TRAVEL ON COMMUNAL LANDS

Responsible travel improves the lives of the locals

and keeps the environment intact. Visitors can enjoy

the best a place has to offer and have a great time,

now and in the future. To achieve this we endeav-

our to minimize negative and maximize positive im-

pacts:

1. ENVIRONMENTAL: protect biodiversity and re-

sources: wildlife, landscapes, flora; water; contrib-

ute to conservation

2. SOCIAL: empower the local people; care for and

respect their culture.

3. ECONOMICAL: create economic benefits for lo-

cal people.

ECONOMICAL

• Recognize that local people must benefit from

tourism as well.

• Develop a responsible tourism attitude and se-

lect your accommodation and excursions based

on their social and environmental practices.

• Support local suppliers and communities. A

street vendor, craft artists, a local guide, a local

tour operator, etc...

• Use local products where possible. Look for the

Team Namibia logo or check where the veggies

have been grown.

• Check where the souvenir you intend to buy

has been produced. Many souvenirs now come

from Asia.

• Give priority to places where communities are

involved. Namibia boasts spectacular commu-

nity-based campsites and lodges. Be patient if

not everything is 100% perfect yet – travel is

about being open to new experiences.

• Conservation costs money. Support conservan-

cies by paying a Voluntary Conservation Contri-

bution. Contact us for information.

• Explore beyond the guide books, be open - you

might be surprised how much you enjoy your-

self.


Public AwarenessMerchandise

56,000,000 (56 million) plastic water bottles are used by tourists in Namibia every year (if we assume 4 bottles per day, for 14 days and 1 million tourists).We all know that every tour vehicle is stuffed with plastic bottles at the end of every day. Where do the empty bottles go? What we can say for sure is that only a small part gets recycled, most get burnt or buried.

We, the tourism industry, want to protect our environment. Let’s be fantastic and avoid plastic!

With the TOSCO branded water bottle you can not only achieve clean vehicles but your guests get a take away proof that you are a respon-sible operator.

Your guests can refill the bottle from taps (as we have good quality water in Namibia) or from canisters provided in the tour vehicle.

You can order your bottles from TOSCO, Just contact us.

200 Reusable water bottles, 100 DVDs (Vanishing Kings),

stickers , TOSCO caps… (69 152 N$)

Public Awareness Boards for National Parks

3 boards for Namib Naukluft National Parks (24 690 N$)


Funds2016Funds 2016

SURPLUS BALANCE BROUGHT FORWARD 2015/2016 - AMENDED

N$ 92 847

FUNDS IN 2016/2017

TOURISM OPERATORS SPONSORSHIP

202 321

PRIVATE COMPANIES 13 450

Bannerman Resources 13 450

NON-PROFIT ORGANISATIONS: 66 850

TENDUA 8 500

Wilderness Trust 58 350

TOURIST & PUBLIC SPONSORS 47 345

CONSERVATION CONTRIBUTIONS RECEIVED FROM TOUR OPERATORS

16 050

SALES 6 000

Vanishing Lions DVDs 2 500

TOSCO water bottles and caps 3 500

TOTAL FUNDS RECEIVED DURING 2016/2017

352 016

FUNDS OUT 2015/2016

RESEARCH 120 320

Desert Lion Conservation 65 320

Kwando Carnivore project 20 000

Desert Elephant conservation 35 000

LIVING WITH WILDLIFE 168 707

De Riet Info & Craft Centre (in process) 50 431

Puros Lion Rangers 14 900

SRT Rhino Rangers 20 000

Game Guards #Khoadi Hoas Conservancy 4 209

Game Guards Ohungu Conservancy 15 000

Conservancies Support - other 2 801

Tomakas kraal and lion ranger costs 56 366

Snake Conservation 5 000

PUBLIC AWARENESS 121 674

Responsible Travel brochures 17 267

Desert Elephant brochures 10 565

Vanishing Kings DVDs 10 000

TOSCO water bottles, stickers and caps 37 592

MET singboards 24 690

Public Awareness - other 21 560

TOTAL PROJECT EXPENSES FOR 2016/2017 PROJECTS 410 701

CONSERVATION CONTRIBUTIONS PAID OVER TO CONSERVANCIES 0

ADMINISTRATION COSTS BANK SERVICE CHARGES 1 576

ACCOUNTING FEES FOR 2015/2016 2 944

TOTAL FUNDS PAID OUT DURING 2017/2017 415 221

SURPLUS BALANCE IN BANK TO BE CARRIED FORWARD TO 2017/2018 22 642

19% 19%

66%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

Tourists Non-‐profit organiza;on

Namibian companies

29%

41%

29%

1% Research

Living with wildlife

Awareness

Admin costs

16 19 26 27 25

1 2

4 3 2 5

11 2

13 15

0 5

10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50

2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

Tourists

Overseas companies

Namibians companies 0

50,000

100,000

150,000

200,000

250,000

Non-‐profit organiza3ons Tourists Professionals

2012 = 89 739NAD

2013 = 178 829NAD

2014 = 246 565NAD

2015 = 292 297NAD

2016 = 352 016NAD

FUNDS IN 2016FUNDS OUT 2016

SPONSORSFUNDS FROM2012 to 2016


SponsorsProfessional Sponsors 2016Partners Current Partners

Category Lion

Category Cheetah


TOSCO teamSponsor BenefitsSponsors Professional Sponsors 2016

Category Leopard

Category Caracal

2017 SPONSOR PACK includes: • TOSCO 2017 car stickers and license

discs

• Reusable water bottles

• Giraffe conservation posters and booklets

• Vanishing Kings DVD

• Desert Lion Conservation stickers

• Responsible travel guidelines

• 2016 Activity report

Your sponsor benefits:

1. Enhance your image as a responsible travel operator

2. Enjoy privileged relationship with stakeholders on the field

3. Be part of a conservation community that cares about Namibia wild places!


TOSCOWords of AppreciationBetter Together A call for Volunteers

We call for volunteers like us who share the same vision where tourism is an opportunity and not a threat to the

environment.

You can manage any programs, inluding one of your own, to support conservation in line with our vision. TOSCO can supply you with funds and a legal structure to make your ideas come true.

Because there is no future in tourism without conservation, join our team!

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world- indeed it’s the only thing that ever has.” – Margaret Mead

This is exactly what TOSCO is – a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens that are changing the world. A few years ago a group of tourism operators got together after a pride of lions got poisoned in the North West of Namibia. They realized that those lions were very important for the biodiversity of the environ-

ment and essential for tourism in the country, thus they had to contribute to their conservation from then on.”

Travel News Namibia.

“Dear TOSCO Team, Thanks for such a report and congratulations on your fund-raising on behalf of conservation in Namibia. It is great to see your commitment and involvement to this sector and a real pleasure to be a partner with you in your efforts. Keep up the great work.”

Chris Weaver, director WWF Namibia.

“For the past few years, the

Kwando Carnivore Project has received support

from TOSCO trust in the form of funding and equipment

for field projects. This support has contributed significantly

to our monitoring efforts particularly where sensitive activities

such as monitoring hyaena cubs at dens is required. Through

our partnership with TOSCO, we have also had the opportunity

of sharing information about the Zambezi Region and our

conservation efforts with some of their guests. We are most

grateful for this support from the TOSCO Trust.”

Lise Hanssen,

Kwando carnivore project

“IRDNC would like to express its gratitude and apprecia-tion to TOSCO for their continued and sustained support of conservation in The Kunene Region. While the actual

contributions aiding the direct conservation of our desert adapted lions, rhinos and elephants helps significantly, the importance of the involvement and commitment of all your members is tremendous. Exposing tourists and visitors to Namibia to the challenges of conservation in our country is important. Further, it is great to see a group within the

hospitality industry buying into the resource they sell and use with such energy and commitment.“

Russell Vinjevold, IRDNC.

24 TOSCO : Tourism supporting Conservation

TOSCO Contact us to join, we need you!

TREASURER: Dieter081 12 94 643

[email protected]

HUAB PROGRAMS: Blandine081 662 9954

[email protected]

CHAIRMAN: Félix 081 45 35 855

[email protected]

TOSCO Trust – N°T86/12,

19 Lossen Street, WWF conservation building | PO Box 91159 - Windhoek - NAMIBIA

Website: www.tosco.org | E-mail: [email protected]

“Major challenges like biodiversity conservation outside of National parks have to be taken up by the current generations; especially the fight against loss of habitat and poaching.

Everyone should take their responsibilities in this fight including the tourism industry who clearly has a major role to play.

But so far, we are not winning and much more needs to be done if we are to secure a safer and healthy world for us and the next generation.

TOSCO has decided to be up to the challenge in the name of tourism and make a difference for the good of the Namibian’s natural resources and its people”

TOSCO team

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