LETTERS
Conservation vs Profit Barry York
Current Address : Bar Y Ranching , Modimolle , South Africa E-mail Address : york @ goldenwildebeest . com Reprinted From : Original e-mail received from Mr Barry York
The Editor : Grassroots ,
I make reference to the article in the latest Grassroots publication entitled Conservation vs Profit by Adam Hart .
One would expect that such an article , published by our association would contain well researched scientific facts and that comments based on unproven opinions would be excluded .
It is important to understand that African wildlife cultures are very different from those of the Western World . Western economies are driven by creating profits or capitalism , yet their wildlife ethos is based on a socialist model or philosophy . Many so called western conservationists or animal rightists have the philosophy that it is a terrible crime to create wealth or make a profit from wildlife or their products .
Poverty remains the greatest threat to conservation in Africa yet we witness the wasteful destruction of the stockpiles of ivory and Rhino horn , worth millions of dollars , because of the so called conservation ideologies imposed on Africa by the Animal Rights Activists from wealthy Western nations .
The economy of many African countries is generally socialistic , yet successful wildlife management or conservation models outside of protected areas are capitalistic in nature . We need to clearly understand that the management objectives of a self-sustaining game ranch , must be profit motivated in order to be economically sustainable and the huge conservation benefit is the most important by product of this commercial activity . Game ranching objectives in the private sector are therefore very different from the management objectives of a state funded game park or protected area . When the tax payer fits the bill , the economic viability of these areas is of little or no importance to those responsible for their management .
Those who claimed that - “ Using resources on colour variant animals will divert from the conservation of other wildlife and can be detrimental ”, are requested to provide the proof that justifies this statement .
In many cases revenues generated through the sale of high value animals , including colour variants , were reinvested by game ranchers in converting additional marginal agricultural land into wildlife management areas . Hard earned revenue was also used to conserve and protect other endangered species such as our embattled Rhino . For a Prof of Science Communication to label such people as being “ greedy ” wildlife ranchers in a publication of Grassroots is in my humble opinion totally unacceptable .
Has the bubble burst and is another rapidly inflating ?
Despite the naysayers accusations and the large fluctuations in the price of many game species over the last decade , efficient game ranching operations including those with naturally occurring , functionality efficient and adapted colour variants remain economically viable for the time being .
Our naysayers forget to mention other factors that play a most important negative role in the current South African farming economy and associated game prices . These include unprecedented levels of farm murders , land claims and threatens of exploitation of land without competition , to mention but a few .
Are international hunters avoiding South Africa because of fair chase or ethical issues or because they fear for their safety due to airport hijacks and rural insecurity ?
The demand for the hunting of colour variants has increased in the last year because of an increase in numbers available for hunting at more affordable prices i . e . the principles of supply and demand apply .
“ Greedy ” game ranchers are accused by naysayers of rapidly inflating another bubble by selectively breeding buffalo , sable and roan for greater horn size . The fact is that to date no African animal has been selectively bred to have larger horns than those originally found in the wild is of no consequence . The conservation of buffalo , roan and sable on game ranches , is not something new and has been taking place since this industry started .
Naysayers are opposed to both inbreeding and selective breeding of wildlife yet the most effective way to prevent inbreeding on game ranches is to selectively breed unrelated animals .
Responsible wildlife managers fully understand the possible negative implications of single trait selection in any breeding program as well as the undesirable consequences associated with continuous , selective grazing .
The most important question is where do we stand as members of the Grassland Society of South Africa ?
• Do we join the naysayers who shout the odds from the sidelines without offering constructive advice solutions or assistance ?
• Do we offer to put our shoulder to the wheel and carry out the applied research and provide meaningful extension services to our game ranchers ?
• Do we wish to work towards forming partnerships with role players and enable the wildlife industry of our country to optimize wildlife production , as a sustainable land use practice ?
“ The conservation of Wildlife in Africa is enhanced when the sustainable use of this renewable natural resource has greater socio-economic value to Africa ’ s people than other land use options .”
Do we share this view as it means that wildlife will need to pay more than its rent ?
I look forward to your reply . Kind Regards , Barry York
03 Grassroots Vol 18 No 1 March 2018