Game & Wildlife

The fierce debate around alien and invasive species regulations highlights the conflict between long-term sustainability, sought by conservation authorities, and short-term financial gain, important to game ranchers. Roelof Bezuidenhout reports.

When stocking game in the Little Karoo, farmers must be aware of the fragility of this veld. Careful monitoring of veld, starting with the right species, as well as the animals already on a farm, should all be considered, so says Ken Coetzee of Conservation Management Services. Glenneis Erasmus spoke to him about how to get stocking rates right.

A scientific analysis of price trends at last year's game auctions indicates that despite the economic downturn, demand for certain species was high and more animals were being sold directly to game capturers.

Parasites play an important part in natural ecosystems, and wildlife can bear their tick burdens and still stay healthy - if humans stop interfering. So says Professor Ivan Horak (left) of the University of Pretoria's Onderstepoort campus. Cornelia du Plooy investigates.

Ron Thomson has written a refreshing and hard-hitting book to remind hunters, game ranchers and ordinary nature lovers where they fit into the bigger conservation picture. Roelof Bezuidenhout reviews a book that pulls no punches.

The mention of hunting brings to mind pictures of men with guns posing proudly amid a sea of animal carcasses. But the truth is somewhat different. Roelof Bezuidenhout reports on a study that found that often being merely outdoors is a greater consideration than actually killing animals.

Looking after South Africa's dams could be more important than finding new sources, but the country's pool of reservoir science has degenerated within a decade from being world-renowned to being almost non-functional. If the situation isn't corrected soon, the freshwater system could collapse, with catastrophic consequences. Roelof Bezuidenhout reports.
Issue Date: 30 March 2007

This draft document could have far-reaching consequences for the wildlife industry.

Two South African hunting organisations react to an article (Farmer's Weekly, 8 December 2006) which pleaded for a comprehensive rule book aimed at reining in the 'Rambos' who upset farmers and other hunters. Roelof Bezuidenhout provides their viewpoints.
Issue Date: 9 March 2007

In the fourth article of our habitat planning series, habitat designer Ben Breedlove explains to Roelof Bezuidenhout how to cater for stressed-out but affluent visitors from the city. Issue date: 23 February 2007

In the third part of our habitat planning series, biologist and habitat designer Ben Breedlove exlains how to create optimal animal-human meeting points. Issue Date: 16 February 2007

The draft policy on national game farming recently came under review. Roelof ­Bezuidenhout speaks to ­Eastern Cape rancher Arthur ­Rudman who attended the review workshop and who fully supports the agriculture department's involvement in the game industry.