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Transformation of the wildlife sector was given a further boost on 22 May 2021, when wildlife was released at Aphamo Boerdery in the Groot Marico district of North West.

The release of 14 Zebra, 12 Red Hartebeest, ten Gemsbok, five Eland and four Giraffe by the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Ms Barbara Creecy, is a celebration of the government's commitment to developing the wildlife economy as part of the transformative obligations within the sector.

The donation and loan of 354 animals to eight successful emerging game farmers and communities aligns with the theme of the International Day for Biological Diversity – We're part of the Solution for Nature.

As a mega-diverse country, this year's theme raises awareness of the role that biodiversity not only plays in the lives of people but also the role that people play in nature and the implementation of nature-based solutions to climate issues and in creating sustainable livelihoods.

The handover of wildlife to communities in North West is part of the South African National Parks (SANParks) socio-economic transformation interventions pledged in 2018 to make available more than 3 000 head of game over three years to communities and emerging game farmers.

This activated the Department's game donation policy framework that aims to redress the historic exclusion of people from owning wildlife, and ensuring involvement in the game farming industry by creating opportunities for communities and emerging game farmers.

Minister Creecy pointed out that the release of the animals came after the release earlier in May of the findings and recommendations of the High Level Panel (HLP) that reviewed policies, regulatory measures, practices and policy positions related to hunting, trade, captive keeping, management and handling of elephant, lion, leopard and rhinoceros.

While the report had focused on providing policy certainty and reducing bureaucracy and red tape, it had also emphasised the need to better balance the country's economic, social, cultural and natural heritage needs, including re-imagining the role of protected areas, both state and others, in contributing to ecologically sustainable rural development.

“It places communities living with wildlife at the centre of government's thinking requiring a greater focus on enhancing human-wildlife co-existence, and transformative approaches to access and benefit-sharing for communities living on the edges of protected areas,” said the Minister.

The Panel had highlighted a need for a renewed focus on transforming the ownership and management of the commercial wildlife businesses, particularly in the eco-tourism and authentic hunting sectors, and ending certain inhumane and irresponsible practices that greatly harm the reputation of South Africa.

The HLP recommendations will be taken forward with the development of a Policy on Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Use and the adoption of a one welfare approach for wildlife.

“Transformation of the sector will continue to be prioritised, in terms of improved inclusion of marginalised groups, especially communities living with or adjacent to these species, and in the role and influence of traditional leaders and healers in the wildlife sector,” said Minister Creecy. “Key to this is reinvigorating the biodiversity economy through a focus on Big Five-based ecotourism and authentic hunting of wild specimens.”

The wildlife industry may not realise its full potential if the majority of the population of this country remain on the economic fringes with no meaningful participation in this industry. There are a number of aspirant game farmers who intend to participate in this industry and that is why interventions such as this one become very critical in bridging the historic gaps of “haves” and “have nots”. For a successful programme, the transformation would require participation by the private sector and communities in ensuring access to land, Capital and tools of the trade for aspirant game farmers.

As you may be aware, the biodiversity economy is an important contributor to job creation and currently sustains over 418 000 jobs with over 256 000 of those coming from extractive use of biodiversities such as hunting of wild animals, fishing and wild harvesting plant species for bioprospecting and biotrade and traditional medicines.

SANParks provides mechanisms for the supply of founder herds of game to applicants and raises awareness for conservation, wildlife management and sustainable utilisation principles in the wildlife sector.

The beneficiaries of the wildlife donation or loan are further supported through infrastructure development, training, development of enterprises to enable their participation in value chain activities related to the sector. It also contributes to job creation.

This is a highly administered programme wherein wildlife donation or loan recipients enter into an agreement with SANParks for either a donation of wildlife in the case of the local community or a wildlife loan in the case of an emerging game farmer. This agreement has an agreed timeframe whereafter the recipient may donate a number of the offspring, at SANParks' discretion, to a future applicant.

Biodiversity conservation through sustainable use and management requires effort and partnerships between the state, private sector and communities. The Convention on Biological Diversity recognizes that sustainable wildlife management is the sound management of wildlife species to sustain their populations and habitat over time, and considers the socio-economic needs of human populations. It is within this ambit that the DFFE through SANParks donates and loans game to emerging communities and game farmers.

Issued By

The Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment

Media Enquiries

Albi Modise on 083 490 2871