Grassroots Grassroots - Vol 18 No 4

NEWS Figure 2: © Carolin Giarra Additional concerns were brought for- ward regarding the effect of no engine noise. The field guides insist that it would be a positive feature of the game viewing experience as it would reduce the noise pollution caused whilst on drive, which can reduce the serenity of the game reserves. But it would un- fortunately also remove the ‘alarming’ factor of a game vehicle. With no noise coming from the vehicle, animals will not be aware of a vehicle approaching and the sudden intrusion could, accord- ing to the field guides, give the animals reason to behave in an aggressive, pro- tective and defensive manner. These opinions contradict each other vastly in how game viewing should be conduct- ed. Nevertheless, electric vehicles are an attractive alternative, specifically for tourism within protected areas. It is no question that climate change is the greatest challenge of our time, and also threatens the steadily grow- ing safari industry in South Africa. Field guides should campaign and create an increased demand for hybrid or elec- tric game viewing vehicles, and push to raise awareness that this development is needed and can be tested in a real- life environment. Every small step counts and the field guides, trackers and everyone else working in the growing safari industry in South Africa should campaign for more efficient and sustainable development. More about the article This article was written based on Caro- lin’s thesis, “The impact of rising tem- Grassroots Vol 18 No 4 Figure 3: Electric vehicles are an attractive alternative, specifically for tourism within protected areas. peratures on the game viewing product: A case study on a private game reserve in the Kruger National Park“. The aim of her study was to explore possible adaptation and mitigation strategies to manage the impact of ris- ing temperatures on the game viewing product in the Kruger National Park re- gion. The essential part of her study was to interview experts in the field – namely field guides as well as trackers. The goal was to find out what kind of ideas they had and what they thought were practi- cal solutions. The article is based on some of the points raised in her research, with a large part of the discussion focusing on electric-powered game viewing vehi- cles. December 2018 Figure 4: © Carolin Giarra 08

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