A land-use management model for the private wildlife industry of South Africa

Abstract

The purpose of this research study is to develop a land-use management model for the private wildlife industry of South Africa. Currently there is no land-use management model available that indicates the most beneficial combination of land-use forms. This research study focuses on five land-use forms. The first is biltong and trophy hunting. Biltong hunting is mostly done by South Africans whilst trophy hunting is mostly done by international tourists. In both cases, popular species for hunting are gemsbok, impala, springbok, blue wildebeest, kudu and warthog. The second land-use activity is breeding. Breeding can involve high value animals that include species such as buffalo, sable and bontebok. Alternatively, breeding practices can focus on plains game that include springbok. Plains game and high value game can be bred in controlled environments or extensive environments. Controlled environments involve areas on the farm being fenced off. This prevents species in the controlled environments coming into contact with predators and results in the development of better animal traits and characteristics that are less likely to develop in extensive or natural environments. Extensive breeding involves less human interference than controlled breeding. Animals are free to move over large natural areas with sufficient water and vegetation. Ecotourism forms part of wildlife tourism which involves consumptive and non-consumptive activities. Consumptive activities include, for example, hunting that has already been discussed. Non-consumptive activities forms part of ecotourism and includes activities such as hiking, game drives and bird watching. By-products include using the skin, horn, meat and other parts of the animals to produce medicine, leather products and arts and crafts. Mixed farming involves incorporating stock or crop farming with one or more of these land-use forms that include wildlife. These land-use forms are impacted by legislation and natural factors such as the natural habitat, diseases and climate change. In addition, there is specific infrastructure that assists private wildlife establishment owners to better manage land-use forms. Existing literature summarises these land-use forms and impacts. In addition, primary qualitative research was conducted by means of non-probability sampling. In total 223 private wildlife establishment owners were interviewed at wildlife auctions. Interview questions stemmed from a research instrument that focused on six areas. The first was demographic details that included the general location, habitat, size, years of and reason for the operations, species owned and employee breakdown. The second was land-use information to determine the land-use forms implemented on private wildlife establishments. The third was economic information that gathered information on past and future expenditure and investments and the extent to which capital was invested in land, animals and infrastructures. The fourth focused on challenges experienced. The fifth on future expansions and the sixth on general comments not already mentioned. Results obtained from interviews indicated that hunting, breeding and mixed farming are the most popular land-use forms incorporated on private wildlife establishments. Ecotourism and by-products are incorporated minimally, however this does have growth potential. The results were similar for most provinces, except for the KwaZulu-Natal province that focuses predominantly on ecotourism. The study also identified themes that allow specific challenges, past and future investment opportunities and reasons to start or expand operations to be classified, grouped and better explained. The study contributed to literature by summarising land-use forms and the various impacts, especially in terms of legislation as no other literature source could be found that summarises and compares national and provincial legislation. In addition, the research study made a practical contribution. The primary data and secondary data were combined to develop a land-use management model. The land-use management model will assist private wildlife establishments in terms of the most productive land-use forms as well as internal and external factors that must be considered during land-use decisions. Lastly, the study contributed methodologically. A new research instrument was developed that focused on demographic, economic, land-use, challenges and future considerations. Two major conclusions stem from secondary literature that relates to the land-use forms and the impacts as well as results from primary research. The first conclusion relates to land-use forms. Secondary research summarised existing literature on the five land-use forms. Primary research indicated that, of these five land-use forms, breeding, hunting and mixed farming are the most popular. Mixed farming, even though crop and stock farming does not include wildlife, is seen as an important land-use form involving land-use in conjunction with wildlife. The popularity of ecotourism and the number of by-products that exist were discussed based on secondary research. Primary research shows that ecotourism and by-products are incorporated on a smaller scale than breeding, hunting and mixed farming. A possible reason for this is legislation – especially in terms of by-product exports and imports. The second conclusions stem from impacts or additional considerations. Secondary research focused on the natural environment, climate change and disease as well as infrastructure and legislation. Primary research confirmed these impacts and considerations, but also brought to light other considerations, impacts and factors. Some examples are the economy, government, family and nostalgia and management.