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The Challenge of Regulating Private Wildlife Ranches for Conservation in South Africa
Jenny A. Cousins, School of Environment and Development, University of Manchester
Jon P. Sadler, School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Manchester
James Evans, School of Environment and Development, University of Manchester
Jon P. Sadler, School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Manchester
James Evans, School of Environment and Development, University of Manchester
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Abstract
We address the new attempts at regulating wildlife ranches on private land in South Africa. Although positive conservation impacts can be attributed to private wildlife ranching, there are a number of ecological consequences that often arise as a result of economic priorities. We present and analyze new national regulations aimed at coordinating provincial legislation and guiding the wildlife industry in a more conservationist direction, and examine tensions that have arisen between different sociopolitical scales as a result. Data were obtained through a desk-based study of legal documents and interviews with key stakeholders. The new regulations begin to address international obligations and national policy on biodiversity conservation by potentially combating a number of specific ecological problems associated with wildlife ranching. However, in practice, the regulations are a significant source of tension among stakeholders and will be challenging to implement. A key issue is competing agendas between incentive-driven ranchers and conservationist aims. It may be that in addressing the ecological problems at the margin, the new regulations will encourage some ranchers to convert their land away from conservation friendly land use.Key words
conservation regulation; private wildlife ranches; South Africa; stakeholder views
Ecology and Society. ISSN: 1708-3087