Welcome to Wildliferanching.com
Introduction to Wildlife Ranching
South Africa has a wealth of wildlife - adapted to a variety of biomes that also support populations of domestic animals. In the past these resources were often taken for granted - and even eradicated in some areas to make way for domestic counterparts that were often less productive. As a result, a wide range of conditions that included limited water supply, animal diseases and parasites, difficult terrain and semi desert vegetation came to pass.
Over the past 40 years, however, there has been a growing interest in the use of wild herbivores in multi purpose systems that include the production of meat as well as value - added activities such as hunting and Ecotourism. This has led to the emergence of a wildlife ranching sector as a sustainable alternative to more conventional livestock farming systems. The sector uses about 20% of the country's natural Veld resources and provides employment for an estimated 45000 people.
The wildlife ranching sector has a broad range of consumable (e.g. recreational hunting, trophy hunting, wildlife meat etc.) and non-consumable (e.g. accommodation, breeding material, wildlife viewing, tourism etc.) products and these can be put to good use in rural communities with suitable natural resources to optimize the flow of benefits to the entire community - thereby enhancing food security through consumable products as well as income to buy food.
Species' lists have been extended in consultation with Mr Deon Furstenburg, Wildlife Scientist from the Agricultural Research Council, Irene. This website is therefore a first attempt to consolidate all information into one "manual" that can be used by established as well as prospective wildlife ranchers - including rural communities who may be considering wildlife ranching as the most viable option for the resources at their disposal.
As the sector develops, it may be necessary to revise the contents - in consultation with all the stakeholders - and to update the website accordingly in order to ensure that the contents remain both relevant and useful.
We therefore trust that this website will be seen as an interactive contribution from Mr Furstenburg and the team at Wildliferanching.com to facilitate the development of wildlife ranching as a formally recognised agricultural activity in South Africa - and we look forward to feedback from all stakeholders and role players to ensure this website remains relevant.
