- Joined
- Aug 21, 2009
- Messages
- 402
- Reaction score
- 162
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- www.africanindaba.co.za
- Media
- 70
- Articles
- 182
- Member of
- CIC, Rowland Ward, B&C, DSC, German Hunting Association, KZN Hunting Association, Wild Sheep Foundation
- Hunted
- Western US, Western Canada, Alaska, Colombia, Tajikistan, Russian Federation, China, Iran, Austria, Germany, Spain, Czech Republic, UK, Indonesia, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Congo, Tanzania, Uganda, Botswana, Namibia
Quo Vadis, South Africa?
by Dr. Rolf D Baldus
South Africa has a rich history in wildlife conservation, having brought many species back from the brink of extinction with its unique wildlife ranching model. Studies show direct wildlife expenditure is in excess of R7 billion (nearly $1 billion) per annum, with substantial job creation. However, there is growing concern amongst South African game ranchers that some leading politicians in government circles and parts of the administration not only disregard the great biodiversity and economic achievements of the wildlife sector, but are actively trying to destabilize it. Last year the responsible minister compared game ranching with golf and remarked that they were only the hobby of rich whites. There are statements by government officials that game ranching is not a recognized land use and the land would be better used for growing “mielies (corn) and potatoes”. As such the land should therefore be expropriated for rural development. Such threats came as a shock to game ranchers and their staff and will endanger the credibility of South Africa as a reliable investment partner worldwide. At the same time, they show a lack of knowledge as most of these lands are not suitable for any sustainable form of agriculture or protein production in a viable commercial manner other than the rearing of wildlife.
by Dr. Rolf D Baldus
South Africa has a rich history in wildlife conservation, having brought many species back from the brink of extinction with its unique wildlife ranching model. Studies show direct wildlife expenditure is in excess of R7 billion (nearly $1 billion) per annum, with substantial job creation. However, there is growing concern amongst South African game ranchers that some leading politicians in government circles and parts of the administration not only disregard the great biodiversity and economic achievements of the wildlife sector, but are actively trying to destabilize it. Last year the responsible minister compared game ranching with golf and remarked that they were only the hobby of rich whites. There are statements by government officials that game ranching is not a recognized land use and the land would be better used for growing “mielies (corn) and potatoes”. As such the land should therefore be expropriated for rural development. Such threats came as a shock to game ranchers and their staff and will endanger the credibility of South Africa as a reliable investment partner worldwide. At the same time, they show a lack of knowledge as most of these lands are not suitable for any sustainable form of agriculture or protein production in a viable commercial manner other than the rearing of wildlife.
