Published online by Cambridge University Press: 24 August 2009
The mountainous Kaokoveld of northwestern Namibia contains numerous endemic plants and animals whose ranges, in many cases, extend into the Etosha National Park, an area extremely rich in game. Etosha Pan, the most striking feature of the Park, is bordered on the South by natural springs and artificial waterholes. These provide drinking places for the animals which congregate in large numbers and cause overgrazing and browsing pressure in the area. Migration to regions beyond the Park boundary is prevented by an 850 km-long game-proof fence. The main factors affecting animal populations are anthrax and poaching. Even so, the culling of Elephants becomes necessary from time to time, and the sale of ivory and other products helps to finance the operation of the Park.