Game & Wildlife

At Babylonstoren’s Rietvlei farm, a quiet shift is taking place, gradually expanding the boundaries of dairy production in South Africa. Here, the focus has moved beyond conventional cattle to the distinctive and increasingly sought-after water buffalo. Owner Kobus Lambrechts spoke to Farmer’s Weekly about his operation.

In part two of this feature on the future of wildlife, Dr Mike Peel, specialist researcher at the Agricultural Research Council, and Dr Pete Zacharias, a consultant in vegetation and animal systems tell us how wildlife managers should revisit the basic building blocks of ecosystems.

The future of the wildlife industry lies in bridging the gap between science and management. Ecological balance and sustained productivity depend on effective management of biodiversity and understanding the interactions between species and the environment, as well as how ecosystems function and respond to change.

Zimbabwe once ranked among the world’s top exporters of ostrich meat and leather. Decades later, only a handful of breeders remain.

Crocodile farming is a profitable niche industry in South Africa that is focused on supplying premium skins to the global luxury goods market. However, as the effects of climate change intensify, maintaining ideal conditions for these reptiles becomes more difficult. Sinenhlanhla Mncwango spoke to two farmers about how they’re tackling these challenges while supporting conservation and economic growth in the country.

A much-needed addition to the Southern Drakensberg, the Mzimkulu Vulture Hide, created to support vulture conservation through a Vulture Safe Feeding Zone, is a hub of activity and a bird-lover’s paradise.

Besides treating animals that live in the wild for diseases and injuries, wildlife veterinarians such as Dr Johan Marais also assist in introducing animals to new sanctuaries and doing genetic swaps to enhance genetic diversity in provincial and national parks.

Brian Berkman asks Tswalu Foundation researcher Daniel Rossouw why his study into the positive impact of the pangolin matters and what he’ll learn from it.

South Africa’s ostrich industry unveiled its Ostrich Production Standard in 2021, and 85% of farms are currently participating in the programme. Dr Adriaan Olivier, industry veterinarian at the South African Ostrich Business Chamber, spoke to Glenneis Kriel about the origins of the standard and what is required of producers.

While earnings from ostrich production have declined following the fresh meat export ban caused by the highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreak, the birds remain a valuable income contributor. Glenneis Kriel spoke to farmer Jolian du Preez, who survived the tough times and is now expanding his operation.

The local wildlife ranching industry has had its share of ups and downs over the past few years, and drought, a boom-bust cycle and COVID-19 have seen many farmers exit the sector. Lindi Botha spoke to Limpopo rancher Jaco Sullivan about the resilience and sound business decisions that have kept his family in the game.

On his 2 500ha game farm near Lephalale in Limpopo, Willem Frost aims to provide local and international hunters with an authentic hunting experience, which promotes the farm’s overall sustainability goals.

It is not only livestock that are threatened during multi-year droughts; wildlife, too, can succumb to the stress. Dr Nora Weyer and other researchers at the University of the Witwatersrand have found that aardvarks’ feeding in the daytime during extended drought may be a sign that they are starving.

New ostrich farmer Kabelo Lekalakala says the industry in North West can be returned to its former glory through the participation of young aspiring farmers.

Warne and Wendy Rippon, owners of Buffalo Kloof Wildlife Safaris in the Eastern Cape, were concerned about the poverty in neighbouring Yendella community. So much so, that they launched an initiative where they and the community work together to benefit from the reserve.

Game meat is an often-prized, but scarce, protein source. According to independent meat safety consultant Dr Tertius Bergh, systems for improving the safety standards of processing game meat could ensure far more widespread consumption.

With large exports of deer venison and antler products worldwide, New Zealand deer farmers are at the top of their game. Gerhard Uys spoke to Bill Robinson of Raroa Red Deer Stud.

Arthur Rudman, veteran game rancher and member of the Professional Hunters’ Association of South Africa and Wildlife Ranching South Africa, speaks to Roelof Bezuidenhout about the future of the hunting industry in this country and across the continent.

The Bateleurs, a non-profit company, provides a flight support programme for conservation and the environment. In operation for 20 years, this unique organisation has a membership of about 220 pilots and has conducted numerous conservation missions across Africa.

Data from species and environmental monitoring is often hard to translate into real-world management solutions. Conservationists Dr Pieter Olivier, Andrew Purdon and Michael Mole are solving this challenge with practical software.