Oct 23, 2013 | News
The following statistics about the South African hunting industry were released by Dr Herman Els:
- 10 years ago, there were less than
- 5 000 game farms in South Africa. In 2012 there were 12 000 game farms in South Africa
- 10 000 of these farms have hunting exemption.
- 20 million hectares of land is in private ownership representing about 70% of land use for wildlife conservation; the other 30% is government owned national and provincial game reserves.
- The hunting industry has generated R7.7 Billion in 2011 – .25% of SA’s national GDP.
- R3.1 Billion per year was generated from around 250 000 biltong hunters in South Africa. R2.1 Billion per year was generated from around 15 000 trophy hunters from abroad. The balance was generated from add-on services, food and accommodations.
- Trophy hunting has a lesser impact on wildlife than biltong hunting.
- Hunting is by far the largest revenue generator for game farmers. The sale of animals represents only around 5% of the revenue generated by game farmers.
- Sixty per cent of all wildlife in South Africa is owned privately outside of national and provincial parks.
- Game and hunting farmers are the largest contributors towards the conservation of wildlife.
- Game farms create three times more employment than on a normal livestock farm. In recent years more than 70 000 jobs were created on newly established game farms.
Oct 23, 2013 | News
According to a recent press release by the South African Hunters and Game Conservation Association (SAHGCA), the association recently dishonourably expelled a member from the Association for poaching. The release states:
‘A disciplinary committee of SAHGCA investigated a complaint regarding the hunting activities of André Klopper (21) following his involvement in illegal and night hunting activities.
Chris Niehaus, CEO of SAHGCA, said Klopper’s status as a dedicated hunter has been revoked with immediate effect and that the Central Firearms Registry has been informed accordingly. SAHGCA has also recommended to the SA Police Services that Klopper should be declared incompetent to own a firearm.
Klopper’s father, Johan Klopper, was also dishonourably expelled from SAHGCA, following a shooting incident where another person had lost an eye. SAHGCA has also recommended to SAPS that Klopper senior be declared incompetent to own a firearm.
Niehaus emphasised that the Association teaches and promotes responsible and ethical hunting and said: “We expect every single member of SAHGCA to adhere to these principles. We will not tolerate behaviour that tarnishes the image of the Association and fellow hunters, or puts the lives of others in danger.”
Oct 23, 2013 | News
On 29 November 2013, an amendment to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) will enter into force to allow regional economic integration organizations to accede to the Convention. This amendment, known as the ‘Gaborone Amendment’, was adopted in Gaborone, Botswana, 30 years ago, on 30 April 1983.
The Gaborone amendment defines regional economic integration organizations (REIO) as ‘organizations constituted by sovereign States which have competence in respect of the negotiation, conclusion and implementation of international agreements in matters transferred to them by their Member States and covered by this Convention. Currently, the only REIO with competence with respect to the matters regulated by CITES is the European Union.
Oct 23, 2013 | News
In Zimbabwe, individuals with mining rights can purchase cyanide from reputable chemical stores. Villagers in Tsholotsho are accused of having handed cyanide to individuals who poisoned more than 100 elephants over a period of two months.
Mr. Saviour Kasukuwere, the Zimbabwe Minister of Environment, Water and Climate visited the area recently and assured the villagers that the Minister of Home Affairs, Mr. Kembo Mohadi, had agreed not to prosecute if they handed over the cyanide still in their possession.
The newly elected MDC-T MP for Tsholotsho, Ms. Roselene Nkomo, has questioned Kasukuwere’s prospective pardon as premature and insists that the suspects must first come clean and reveal all the facts. She insists that one or more persons are responsible for the poaching, and that the government should get to the bottom of the issue before pardoning anybody.
The allegations are that the Zimbabwe government is covering up the poaching because of the possible involvement of politicians and influential businessmen.
Oct 23, 2013 | News
Wildlife Ranching South Africa (WRSA) is drawing its members’ attention to the proposed reopening of the land restitution claims process. It provides information documents on its website to landowners. The documents are recent and up to date. They reflect new provisions introduced by the Restitution of Land Rights Amendment Bill as well as the new Expropriation Bill. For more information visit http://www.wrsa.co.za
Oct 23, 2013 | News
RhinoDot Com is an information and network-oriented campaign that lobbies for the legalization of rhino horn. It recently compiled a document that addresses some of the interesting criticisms they receive against a proposed legal trade in rhino horn. These can be downloaded via the association for game farmers, Wildlife Ranching South Africa (WRSA) website at: http://www.wrsa.co.za/news/item/401-criticisms-of-a-legal-trade-in-rhino-horn
