The wildlife sector comprises 3 sub-sectors: wildlife ranching, wildlife activities, wildlife products.
The primary activities:
Secondary contributors:
Primary activities:
Secondary contributors:
Primary activities:
Secondary contributors:
Commercial/private wildlife ranches cover 16.8% of the country’s landmass, covering approximately 20,5 million hectares. Limpopo has 50% of these ranches, the Northern Cape 20% and the Eastern Cape 12%. Wildlife ranching employs more than 100 000 people and generates income of R9.1 billion per year (0,27% of GDP)
Source: 2018 Biodoversity Economy (Wildlife) presentation by Mr Shonisani Munzhedzi of the then Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA).
When conditional private ownership of wildlife was granted in 1991, many livestock producers switched to extensive wildlife production. On the back of the economic and ecological advantages of extensive wildlife production, the industry experienced an average annual growth rate of 5.6% up to the mid-2000s. However, an increase in intensive breeding practices, especially of high-value animals since the mid-2000s, resulted in a further acceleration at a growth rate of 6.75% per annum. As a result, the wildlife industry is the fastest growing agricultural sector in South Africa, with over 10 000 game ranches using in excess of 17% of the total land area. This industry is globally recognized, resting on several consumable and non-consumable pillars (i.e. recreational hunting, trophy or biltong hunting, venison production, live game trade and eco-tourism), with hunting and eco-tourism being the main contributors towards the economy of this industry.
Despite the growth and transformation experienced within the industry, several discussions remain with regard to the current, or potential, contribution of the wildlife industry towards overall economy growth, poverty reduction and ensuring food security. It is often argued that the expansion of the wildlife sector has taken productive land out of the system, causing higher levels of food insecurity and poverty. In disparity to this view, it can be argued that the wildlife industry is making a significantly contribution towards the economy by adding significant value to wildlife, by creating considerable skilled and semi-skilled employment opportunities, and by providing an alternative food production system.
Moreover, benefits from growth within the wildlife industry stretches beyond the economic scope as the sector also contributes towards conservation and wildlife management. South Africa is one of the few countries in the world where the number of animals of rare or threatened species has increased in recent years. Native wildlife numbers are at its highest since the past 100 years.
The growth of the wildlife industry may be hampered due to the present speculative market dynamics as well as several proposed changes in legislation. These have created uncertainties and apprehensiveness about the direction and sustainability of the sector. This will subsequently impact its socio-economic contribution as long-term and structural investments are put on hold.
It still remains very difficult to estimate the impact of these dynamics without reliable data; which is one of the largest backdrops of the South African wildlife industry. Therefore, to ensure the sustainability and viability of the wildlife industry, adequate information systems are a necessity. The Agricultural Economists at the Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management of the North-West University are directly involved with the sector; conducting data collection and research in order to maintain a comprehensive information system for the wildlife industry.
Source: Dr PC Cloete
Game ranching in South Africa is unique, not only in terms of species diversity, but also in terms of our institutional environment, i.e. South Africa is one of only a few countries in the world where ownership of wildlife is vested in private landowners, which presents game ranchers with a comparative advantage second to none – there is no reason why game ranching cannot become or remain one of the leading agricultural land use options in years to come. Dr Flippie Cloete
Five pillars of the wildlife ranching are breeding, hunting, products, tourism and mixed farming.
Five methods are used in South Africa for trading with wildlife, namely:
See also the items under “Websites & publications” heading.
To develop a wildlife ranch or convert a livestock farm into a wildlife ranch requires major capital investments in fencing, stocking and other infrastructure.
Source: Deon Furstenburg
Find the Munzhedzi Biodiversity Economy (Wildlife ) presentation (2018). Read about the Wildlife Economy Lab which developed detailed plans for 15 initiatives and a further 6 recommendations. These began with (1) Identifying and prioritising 10 million ha for transformation of wildlife economy (2) Co-ordinating existing support mechanisms under a ‘Wildlife Support Unit’ to efficiently support new entrants. Refer to slide 21 for full list. The presentation also tracks the progress on these initiatives (see from slide 27).
Visit the websites listed earlier on this page.
