Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 4 2018 i PRIVATE GAME | WILDLIFE RANCHING

‘Unity’ is a positive word that conveys a need for working together, full stop. Generally, we use it loosely, calling for unity but not defining what we mean – and unless we do so, we are doomed to failure. If one consults the dictionary, it gives one the following synonyms for unity: ‘agreement’, ‘harmony’, ‘accord’, ‘unison’, ‘concord’ and ‘unanimity’ (the last being the highest degree of unity). The one antonym provided is ‘disarray’, which to my mind is a warning of what occurs when there is a lack of unity. ‘Chaos’ would be an even stronger consequence. The first written evidence of unity and the positive consequences thereof that I am able to find is the story of Moses leading the 12 tribes in their exodus from Egypt…

“An appreciation usually consists of five distinct parts: The first two parts resolving what must be done, and the remaining three parts deciding how it should be done.” An appreciation usually consists of five distinct parts: 1. The first two parts resolving what must be done, and 2. the remaining three parts deciding how it should be done. The steps to be taken are as follows: 1. Study the existing situation – What are we confronted with? 2. Decide on the aim to be attained – What is it we have to achieve? (Not to be confused with the aim of the appreciation itself, which is to identify a course of action.) 3. Consider all factors , select the relevant factors and draw deductions – What are the factors that…

“The Western Cape Department of Agriculture tabled a report estimating the impact of the drought on the agricultural sector, suggesting gross value-added losses in the region of R5.9bn and employment losses of around 30 000.” The impact of the drought on farmers in the Western Cape has been severe. The national Department of Water and Sanitation imposed strict water allocations on farmers and, depending on where they were based and which dams they were drawing water from, some had their usage severely curtailed (for example, farmers in the Lower Olifants region, which draws from the Clanwilliam Dam, had their usage curtailed to just 17% of their usual allocation). These famers normally receive 6 500m³ and only got 1 700m³ in the 2017/18 season. In February, the Western Cape Department of…

Poverty persists throughout Africa, but today prosperity is also everywhere on the rise. There is a growing middle class in every African country. The pressures on African wildlife and their habitats are increasingly coming not just from the poor, but also from the prosperous. Middle-class Africans are demanding more and higher-quality food, clothing and shelter. In addition, there are increasing export opportunities for African commodities. The continual increase in effective demand is encouraging land owners to farm more crops, ranch more livestock and plant more commercial forests. As Africa develops and becomes more prosperous, how can wildlife compete with crops and cattle? “If Africa’s wildlife is to be conserved, it must be recognised and governed as the unique and valuable economic asset that it is, and it must be managed…

Humankind can have a very positive impact on wildlife. Anything you use sustainably, you use sensibly in order to assure its survival. Unico is derived from the Spanish word ‘unica’, meaning ‘unique’. And this is indeed what Unico Safaris has become renowned for over the past 18 years. They operate 17km outside Lephalale in the Limpopo province in a malaria-free region of the legendary Bushveld. The lodge is on 850ha of land and was established in 1999. They also have ownership on other land close to the lodge area and hunt on 20 different concessions in the area, the Free State and in Mozambique. Unico Safaris offers tailor-made hunting and photographic safaris, as requested by their clients. They started diversifying with game breeding in 2005 and expanded later on. At…

‘Eenheid’ is ’n positiewe woord wat ’n behoefte aan samewerking oordra, punt. In die algemeen gebruik ons dit losweg en vra vir eenheid, maar definieer nie wat ons bedoel nie – en tensy ons dit doen, is mislukking ons voorland. As ’n mens die woordeboek raadpleeg, gee dit jou die volgende sinonieme vir eenheid: ‘ooreenstemming’, ‘harmonie’, ‘samewerking’, ‘konsensus’ en ‘eenparigheid’ (die laaste is die hoogste vlak van eenheid). Die een antoniem wat gegee word, is ‘wanorde’, wat volgens my ’n waarskuwing is van wat gebeur as daar ’n gebrek aan eenheid is. ‘Chaos’ sal ’n selfs erger gevolg wees. Die vroegste geskrewe bewys van eenheid en die positiewe gevolge daarvan wat ek kan vind, is die verhaal van Moses wat die 12 stamme in ongeveer 1300 vC in…

“It is worth reflecting upon the current extent of unity within the wildlife ranching industry and among those who care about wildlife more generally. Are we a society united, or one that is increasingly divided? And, if it is the latter, what are the potential consequences?” ‘Unity makes strength’ has been the motto of various nations and entities throughout history, often linked to the well-known phrase ‘united we stand, divided we fall’. With conceptual roots that may date back to ancient Greece, and recorded in the Netherlands since at least 1550, the proverb ‘Eendracht maakt macht’ has at times been the motto of the Dutch Republic, Belgium, and the original South African Republic. Now, as the contemporary world faces numerous headwinds, from climate change and biodiversity loss to looming trade…

“Information days play an important role in sharing results from the most recent scientific studies and technological advances that impact on day-to-day game management.” A good turnout of 120 game farmers attended the WRSA’s Thabazimbi – Nyumbu Wildlife Information Day at Norman Adami’s Nyumbu Lodge north of Brits on 11 July, where industry experts shared their knowledge on game management and breeding practices. Attendees were fortunate to have industry experts Dr Johan Steyl of the Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, UP at Onderstepoort and Professor Bettine van Vuuren of the Centre for Ecological Genomics and Wildlife Conservation to present on disease management and genetics respectively. Jenny Rossouw, chairperson of the WRSA Thabazimbi chamber that organised the information day, said the regional information days are important events for game ranchers that want…

The cost of game has decreased to the point where it is difficult to sustainably keep animals cost-effectively by purchasing all or most of their daily feed because camps do not have enough natural roughage. Many game farms are handling the feed component of their budget in the same way zoos do. Unfortunately, this is unsustainable, except on game farms that use crop residues as a baseline food source. Edible grazing and browse found on game farms is the cheapest source of food the farmer has available to him or her. If the farmer knows how much edible forage is available and knows how many animals the game farm/ camp can handle over a period of a year, the game farm/reserve will need to be stocked accordingly. These guidelines work…

❶ Will an economy based solely on wildlife viewing, as in Kenya, provide adequate returns to rural communities to encourage them to conserve wildlife? It appears not, as evidenced by the recent establishment of a wildlife utilisation taskforce by the Kenyan Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife. ❷ Will a rural economy based on overseas hunters, as in Tanzania and South Africa, withstand changes in values and policies in traditional markets such as Europe and the United States? ❸ Will the mainstreaming of wild meat consumption as in Namibia conserve or threaten its native species? ❹ What is the nexus between wildlife conservation and economic development?…

“Ubuntu is a traditional African philosophy that offers us an understanding of ourselves in relation to the world. It considers the success of the group above that of the individual – “I am what I am because of who we all are.”” Hospitality is the world’s largest service industry, employing millions of people working in hotels, restaurants, cruise liners, resorts, private clubs, casinos, lodges and bed-and-breakfasts throughout the world. “An ubuntu leadership style is an African management philosophy, a practical way to efficiently and effectively run an organisation in Africa.” Leadership is managing the performance of others and exercising influence over a team. Leaders have ideas about what they want to achieve and what they want others to do – they have a vision and they turn that vision into…

The following is a short summary of only some of the WRSA activities since the last edition: Ongeveer 80 mense het op 23 Junie die Suid-Kaap - funksie by Mullersvlei bygewoon. Almal het baie aandagtig geluister na dr. Willem Burger van Oudtshoorn se aanbieding oor inwendige en uitwendige parasiete op wild asook die algemene versorging van wild. Wildboere wil gewoonlik weet wat die jongste verwikkelinge rakende wetgewing is. Voorsitter Nico Lerm het terugvoering gegee oor WRSA se skakeling met Cape Nature. WRSA went out of its way to ensure that as many South African buffalo owners as possible knew about the Buffalo Owners Information Day held at Onderstepoort on 5 June. The purpose of the workshop was to update buffalo owners on matters affecting disease control and movement recording. It…

“Based on our desire to give back, we initially negotiated with the Department of Agriculture in Limpopo and placed 30% of our property, animals and assets within a Workers’ Trust for our employees.” When Drs Peter and Pamela Oberem bought Dabchick in 1994, it was an overstocked cattle farm with few wild species. Acquired for the princely sum of R287 500, it took some time to turn the farm into the 1 050ha biodiversity hotspot it is today. Dabchick was initially envisaged as a destination for local tourists and hunters who appreciated the natural, rustic ambience of the farm. “We built a small tented camp and didn’t have electricity there for many years,” Peter recalls. “We brought some partners into the farm, but they wanted to develop it beyond what…

For most people, the term ‘conflict’ is not a pleasant one as it suggests difficult issues, even more difficult people, and confrontation. It is usually associated with protracted arguments, damaged egos and being ‘right’. However, this need not always be the case and properly understanding conflict and how it might be avoided or resolved is an important step in harmonious relationships, whether at a personal or corporate level. What is conflict? Simply put, it is active disagreement – but usually with an underlying base of opposition, discord and unpleasantness. A difference of opinion has arisen and, rather than seeking common ground, the differing factions have dug themselves into immovable positions, each asserting that their view is correct and that the other person – who is obviously wrong – must change.…

“Ivory and rhino horn play an important role in the economies of African countries. It is important that these countries make their own decisions on what they want to do with their wildlife products.” American public policy specialist and former member of the US President’s Executive Office, Godfrey Harris, believes that it is time for African governments to dispense with their polite ways and diplomatic language to tell animal rights groups to stop interfering with the management and trade of such African wildlife products such as ivory and rhino horn. “Ivory and rhino horn play an important role in the economies of African countries. It is important that these countries make their own decisions on what they want to do with their wildlife products. They should not have to wait…

Wildlife Ranching magazine’s Dr Fiona Zerbst chats to Dan Kriek, AgriSA’s president, about the land issue, assisting emerging farmers, and the need for unity in the sector. Wg: Dan, could you give us a brief overview of what the agricultural sector looks like currently? Dan: Farmers are the most uncertain they have ever been. There is a lot of populist rhetoric surrounding the resolution on expropriating land without compensation (EWC), which has come on the back of the most severe drought in a hundred years. It takes about three to five years to recover from drought and the Western, Eastern and Northern Cape are still struggling, although the rest of the country had a good rainy season to speed up recovery. Added to this is the fact that…