Garub waterhole in desperate need of upgrade
The waterhole at Garub 1 in the vicinity of Aus which keeps many animals including the wild horses of the Namib alive, is beyond repair.In light of this, the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism has asked the Namibia Wild Horses Foundation to fund the rebuilding of this waterhole which serves the animals grazing in the western side of the Tsau Khaeb Park.
The foundation estimates that the rebuilding will cost around N$240 000, and thus calls on the general public to support this initiative.
The Namibs, as the free horses of the Namib are called, hold a powerful fascination. Living on the barren plains around Garub, their origin is shrouded in mystery. One legend has it that the herd stems from the bombing of the Union of South Africa Troops stationed at Garub in 1915, with the herds scattering in the ensuing turmoil.
Another theory is that Emil Kreplin, who was mayor of Luderitz from 1909 to 1914 and who had a stud farm at Kubub, bred workhorses for the mines and racehorses. However, when Kreplin was interred in the Union of South Africa during the war, it can be assumed that during or after the war the horses, ownerless and not contained by fences, could have scattered, leaving the overgrazed Kubub area in search of better grazing.
Whatever the theory may be, despite the harsh, arid landscape, these animals have adapted and survived against all odds.
Now Garub 1 is in urgent need of a complete rebuild. This will relieve pressure on Garub 2 (the current lookout waterhole) while there will also be less travelling distance for oryx when grazing is good in the western side of the park.
For more information or to contribute, visit www.wild-horses-namibia.com