https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zebra#/media/File:Zebra_Botswana_edit02.jpg
in utilising our wildlife heritage,” Verdoorn said.
Variations in coat colours in game occur in low frequencies in the wild and are caused by recessive genes
that result in e.g. black impala, golden wildebeest or
white springbok. The reason for the low numbers in the
wild is that these animals are usually not well adapted
to their environment and are eliminated through natural selection processes. However, commercial game
breeders selectively breed these animals to enhance
and manipulate the desired traits for commercial gain.
Prices of these purposely-bred animals are exceptionally
high turning wildlife into a financial commodity. To
protect their expensive investments, breeders put these
animals in small camps with very tight security. Some
of the undesired consequences of intensive breeding
include:
fragmentation of habitats and wildlife systems
decrease in the genetic integrity of indigenous wildlife populations
reduce animals’ natural ability to adapt to environmental changes associated with climate change
animal welfare concerns
increase persecution of predators because of the
threat to breeding stock
disinvestment in extensive wildlife areas which
impact on the contribution that game farmers
make to national conservation targets.