Providing safe havens for wild populations of animals, such as the Okonjima Nature Reserve does, also presents challenges for the correct management of the protected wildlife within.
Whilst bringing the advantages of safety, freedom from persecution, the ability to breed, provision of diverse prey etc., so too are simultaneous threats which arise from the prevention of natural immigration/emigration. Population sizes increase beyond natural carrying capacity, intensification of competition with other species for limited resources within the confined area, and a constrained gene pool are some of the challenges which arise from the carnivore populations being enclosed in one area.
As a consequence of such perils, it is imperative that these carnivore populations are managed appropriately to ensure that they sustain themselves healthily for their ultimate survival.