Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 3 2019 i PRIVATE GAME | WILDLIFE RANCHING

Executive Editor Dr Peter Oberem Publishing Editor Erika Alberts Managing Editor Pat Botha Deputy Editor JC Strauss Picture Editor Quintus Strauss Copy Editor Aletta Pretorius-Thiart Graphic designer Liesel van der Schyf Illustrator Ronelle Oosthuizen Photographer Quintus Strauss Digital Publisher Regardt Ferreira Traffic Coordinator Tanya Botha Editorial Contributors Tebogo Mogashoa Cobus Olivier Dr Peter Oberem Craig Shepstone Meldt van der Spuy Dr John Hanks Jacques Malan John Mackie Frans Schütte Dr Pamela Oberem Michael ‘t Sas-Rolfes Dr Danie Jordaan Adri Kitshoff-Botha John Hurterx Ankie Stroebel Heiko Meier Marietjie Wentzel Dr Maretha van der Merwe Anita Barnard Prof. Brian Child Hannelee Doubell Nonkqubela Mayatula Musa Mkhwanazi Margaretha Smit Advertising Sales Pat Botha +27 (0)76 077 7035 pat@mlpmedia.co.za Erika Alberts +27 (0)78 539 7700 erika@mlpmedia.co.za Quintus Strauss +27 (0)72 512 3589 quintus@mlpmedia.co.za Tanya…

BELANGRIKHEID VAN GOEIE GENETIKA Dagsê Wildvriende, As liefhebbers van wild in die natuur is dit ons voorreg om die diere in hul habitat te bestuur en daaruit ons lewensinkomste te kan verdien. Dit is dan ook ons sosiale plig en die rol wat ons hier moet vertolk, is baie groter as wat die meeste mense dink. Vandat ’n draad gespan is, beteken dit die boer moet enduit beheer neem oor die wild, aangesien die diere nou nie meer in staat is om vir hulself te sorg deur te migreer en vrylik te beweeg om hul behoeftes só op verskillende plekke te kan aanvul nie. Die ekonomiese selfbeskikking van die wildboer is dus van kardinale belang om ’n volhoubare wildplaas te kan bedryf. In die moeilike omstandighede waarin Suid-Afrika se ekonomie…

Over the last two years I have been involved in a research project that examines South Africa’s captive lion industry. My collaborator, Vivienne Williams (from the University of the Witwatersrand), and I conducted an industry survey, the results of which have recently been published in the journal PLoS ONE. Apart from revealing the economically disruptive effects of a 2016 USA suspension on trophy imports sourced from hunted South African captive-bred lions, our research has also revealed that many of the observed trends of the two previously mentioned international studies are clearly evident in this industry. We have even observed different social factions among industry participants, loosely defined by their respective dominant forms of income generation (breeding, tourism, hunting and skeleton sales). Furthermore, arguments over what concerns acceptable ‘fair chase’ trophy…

In the previous articles, we introduced the different digestive classes or categories that exist for African ungulates larger than a blue duiker. They discussed how the different classes differ with regard to what forage they select and what mechanisms they have to degrade and digest it. The second article in the series looked at two mega herbivores’ digestive strategies in more detail, namely the hippopotamus and the white rhinoceros. BACKGROUND T o recap, herbivores are animals that have a symbiotic relationship with a population of microbes resident in their rumens and/or caecum and colons. The fibrous part of the ingesta gets converted to volatile fatty acids (energy) and other essential nutrients by fermentation and microbial action by the gut flora living in the foregut and/or hindgut. The most important flora…

I have two suggestions. The sooner Africans, and especially black Africans, engage in and dominate the narrative politically and academically, the better, and it is pleasing to see the inputs of so many Batswana to Ellen DeGeneres’ Twitter conversation. But this is basically noise, and we need action. As a region we need to think so big, and be so successful, that we cannot be ignored. My proposal is that we set as our objective a “$30 billion wildlife economy by 2030”, a theme that we hope will gain political impetus at the Africa’s Wildlife Economy Summit hosted by the African Union and UN Environment on 24 to 25 June 2019. With 10 times as much wildlife, creating several million jobs and conserving large landscapes, we surely cannot be ignored.…

Volgens die Wêreldbank is Suid-Afrika tans die mees ongelyke land in die wêreld. Die syfers is verbysterend: 70% van die land se rykdom is in besit van 10% van die bevolking. Die onderste 60% besit net 7% van die land se rykdom. Die helfte van ons bevolking leef op minder as $5 per dag. Met sulke reusagtige ongelykheid en volslae armoede is die transformasie van die ekonomie na ’n breë, inklusiewe, minder hulpbronsentriese ekonomie nie ’n kwessie van partypolitieke beleid nie, maar eerder ’n ekonomiese noodsaaklikheid. “Die wild-ekonomie het ’n deurslaggewende rol in die aanspreek van die kwessie van transformasie.” Die wild-ekonomie het ’n deurslaggewende rol in die aanspreek van die kwessie van transformasie. Trouens, dit is strategies geplaas om aansienlik voordeel te trek uit ’n getransformeerde ekonomie. Die vinnige…

For a quarter of a century I have spoken about there being ‘haves’ and ‘have nots’ and that if we as a democratic South Africa fail in our duty and did not reduce the numbers of ‘have nots’ through social development and upliftment and if these masses grow in number and become more and more desperate, we would face a revolution. ‘Have nots’ are not constrained in their behaviour by the threat of some or other loss. Furthermore, I made it clear that it was us ‘haves’ who have everything to lose. The ‘haves’ are also those that have the skills and resources to help develop the country and all of its people. It is thus in the interests of the ‘haves’ to put shoulder to the wheel and make…

Bred from an exceptional Madikwe herd (‘Tyson’ 51"; ‘Rooi’ 48"), the young giant buffalo bull ‘Klein Rooi’ with remarkably defined boss, drop and exceptional curl, reminiscent of the huge bulls that roamed Africa, has endorsed our faith in him with a massive horn volume and SCI of 136 2/8" with a RW of 48 4/8". ‘Klein Rooi’ was introduced to a carefully selected herd of cows about four years ago. He has surprised us with his active attitude – he took control of his herd with determination and on average the calf interval in that herd is approximately 13 months. His sons are exceptionally masculine with huge horn potential shown at a young age already. The two sons in the picture above, ‘Dozer’ and ‘Armor’, at respectively 3,5 and 2,3…

WRSA CONGRATULATES NORTH WEST PROVINCE ON ITS BIODIVERSITY TRANSFORMATION INITIATIVE Wildlife Ranching South Africa congratulates the North West Department of Rural, Environment and Agricultural Development (READ) on its successful 2019 MeBala Ya Rona game auction of 5 000 live game and 50 hunting packages early in May. The annual game auction forms part of the transformation initiatives that have grown from strength to strength since READ’s Roma-Nna Legacy Foundation was launched in 2016. The foundation’s mission is to address the key funding challenges hindering the development of new entrants’ projects. WRSA is committed to collaboration and partnerships with government departments and other sectors to create a sustainable, inclusive and growing South African wildlife economy. It was therefore a privilege for our organisation to bring a message of support at the…

Severe weather often leads to loss of life and property and trauma to those who are affected. Severe storms can occur during any season and are not limited to only certain areas in South Africa. The period January to March 2019 was no exception and saw systems that produced heavy rain, flooding, severe thunderstorms and tornado sightings. In this article, we share some of the severe weather incidents experienced during the first quarter of 2019. On 2 February 2019, a cut-off low, bringing heavy rain, thunderstorms and tornado sightings, developed over the southwestern parts of the country. The thunderstorms that occurred over the Western Cape at this stage were an uncommon occurrence for this time of the year, as the Western Cape is a winter rainfall area. Severe thunderstorms occurred…

Stevens, C.E., & Hume, I.D. (2004). Comparative physiology of the vertebrate digestive system (Second Edition). Cambridge University Press. Van Hoven, W., Prins, R.A., Lankhorst, A. (1981). Fermentative digestion in the African elephant. South African Journal of Wildlife Research. 11, 78-86. Bothma, J. du P., and J.G. du Toit (Eds). 2016. Game ranch management. Sixth edition. Van Schaik, Pretoria. Cheeke, P.R., & Dierenfeld, E.S. (2010). Comparative animal nutrition and metabolism. CABI. Perez, W., Lima, M., Claus, M. (2009). Gross anatomy of the Giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis). Journal of Veterinary Medicine Series C, 38 (6): 432-435. Claus, M., Hatt, J. M. (2006). The feeding of rhinoceros in captivity. International Zoo Yearbook. 40, 197-209. Claus, M., Hatt, J. M. (2006). Feeding Asian and African elephants Elephas maximus and Loxodonta africana in captivity. International Zoo…

Author: Will McCullum Publisher: Penguin Life (no plastic wrapping) ISBN: 9780241388938 Language: English Pages: 224 Format: Paperback Retail price: R328 WHAT ALBATROSSES ARE FEEDING THEIR CHICKS “The impact of plastic usage on the planet is not just about the immediate effect on wildlife – it may very well affect our future survival because of some of its innate properties.” Will McCallum is the Head of Oceans for Greenpeace UK. He became passionate about wildlife under the influence of his grandparents, Doctor Dolittle and David Attenborough. So presumably he watched with horror, along with millions of other viewers, Attenborough’s Blue Planet episode that shows footage of an albatross feeding its chicks a piece of plastic. Since evolution has not equipped wildlife with the ability to distinguish plastic from food items, they…

If we want to drive the industry towards sustainability we need to include a measure of economic rights in trophy record books. This is neither as radical nor as complex as it may initially sound. A sustainability score could be achieved by multiplying horn measurement (say, a 45" buffalo, though, as argued above, term trophy size is biologically problematic) by the proportion of value reaching the landholder or community (say US$5 500 compared to a fair market trophy fee of US$6 000). This score incorporates both short-term biological sustainability (because only well-managed herds will yield 45" buffalo) and long-term economic sustainability. Countries and properties that score highly on this index would be able to make a powerful, quantitative case that trophy hunting is sustainable and contributing to wildlife conservation.…

If you ask most people engaged on Twitter or social media about the relative merits of trophy hunting or subsistence bushmeat production, they are likely to say that trophy hunting is abhorrent but bushmeat is acceptable, presumably because rich, white hunters are ‘bad’ but rural communities are ‘good’. Such emotional judgements lead to extremely bad policy decisions. To describe this, I have laid out a theoretical herd of 100 buffalo in two figures representing trophy hunting and bushmeat production respectively. A trophy hunter will shoot only two large bulls in a herd that produces approximately 20 calves in the same year. This allows the herd to expand by 18 new buffalo each year. In a good, wild hunting area, the buffalo can be sold for US$5 000 to US$6 000…

“As a woman specifically, contrary to it being a challenge, I am humbled by the support and admiration I receive from my colleagues in the wildlife sector.” During the 2018 WRSA Eastern Cape Wildlife Rancher of the Year Awards, the Newcomer of the Year award went to Nonkqubela Mayatula and her luxurious Miarestate near Haga Haga in the eastern region of the province. “This award is a huge honour for me, but I also see it as a challenge. I am a perfectionist. I strive for excellence in everything I do, and I am always looking for the next big opportunity to tap into,” she said. “In isiXhosa we have a saying: ‘I am because you are.’ And I hope my story can be the catalyst for others to strive…

When we considered the 2019 themes for Wildlife Ranching magazine, a focus on strategy was an obvious choice. One of the most effective tools for strategic planning is to use the PESTLE analysis ( Political, Economic, Social, Technological, Legal, Environmental) as a guideline to examine opportunities and threats. With the social factor, also known as socio-cultural factors, we look at what changes in culture and society are taking place and consider the potential impact on the private wildlife industry in southern Africa. In our lead article, ‘THE BIGGER PICTURE’, Michael ‘t Sas-Rolfes states that social values, especially those that evoke moral sentiments, play a fundamental role in influencing both political decisions and markets. Michael further states: “South Africa is now confronted with the challenge of navigating a range of competing…

“Social values, especially those that evoke moral sentiments, play a fundamental role in influencing both political decisions and markets.” In my previous two contributions to this magazine, I discussed political and economic aspects of relevance to the southern Africa wildlife industry. Closely linked to both politics and economics are social issues. Social values, especially those that evoke moral sentiments, play a fundamental role in influencing both political decisions and markets. So, what are some of the current critical social value issues that impact the wildlife industry? Anyone in the wildlife sector who has been paying attention in recent weeks will be aware of heated debates concerning Botswana’s proposed lifting of a national trophy hunting ban that was imposed in 2014. Much is at stake here. Prior to 2014 Botswana’s wildlife…

The El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) remains in a moderate El Niño state and forecasts indicate that it will remain in at least a weak El Niño state throughout spring. Caution is advised however, as ENSO forecasts are less skilful during the winter and spring periods. There is still no clear indication on rainfall expectations for the winter rainfall areas during mid- and late-winter (June-July-August; July-August-September). There is, however, an early indication of drier conditions over the eastern parts of the country during early spring (August-September-October). Connected to this, early-spring forecasts for the eastern parts of the country also indicate a lower number of rainfall days above 15mm, but a higher number of days above 5mm. This suggests that rainfall may still be regular, however less intense than normal. With regard…