It is becoming increasingly expensive for the majority of private and state-run parks in South Africa to protect their rhinos effectively from poaching, according to Anthony Minnaar, of the Department of Criminology and Security Science at the School of Criminal Justice, College of Law at the University of South Africa. He was speaking at the recent International Rural Crime Conference in Pretoria.
The views expressed in our weekly opinion piece do not necessarily reflect those of Farmer’s Weekly.
Private game reserves are mostly self-funded in South Africa and the cost of keeping rhinos safe from poachers is becoming prohibitively expensive for many private rhino reserves.
Depending on the size of the operation, private game reserves that have a resident rhino population might need to employ the services of a specialist security company to protect the rhinos. Typically, such a company would have to deploy between 10 and 15 trained and armed game guards who go out on patrol. The use of trained tracker dogs has also been instituted in many game reserves and parks.
Some security companies carry out undercover operations to infiltrate poaching syndicates, or use air patrols or drones to track down poachers. Such services are expensive, ranging from R30 000 to R100 000 a month, depending on how many security guards are deployed by the security company.
Expenses such as these are an added burden on private game reserves and have a negative impact on their long-term viability. These costs are incurred over and above their general running costs, such as wildlife management and monitoring, repairs and maintenance to fences, roads and other infrastructure, and large community lease payments.
In 2016, it was estimated by Project African Rhino that the cost of rhino security on private, state and some national reserves amounted to close to R1,2 billion a year. The Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) had an anti-poaching budget of R200 million for the Kruger National Park (KNP) alone in 2016.
This story is from the 17 November 2017 edition of Farmer's Weekly.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the 17 November 2017 edition of Farmer's Weekly.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
New farmers' seedling pitfalls
Inexperienced farmers may be tempted to grow seedlings from seed themselves, but they have much to gain by trusting a seedling grower at a nursery to perform this task for them instead
South African avocado production: a success story
Avocado production in South Africa has expanded markedly since the industry's humble beginnings over 80 years ago. From a small grove planted in 1938 in what was then Nelspruit, the industry has blossomed to seven million trees planted on 20 000ha. Dr Guy Witney, project manager at Great Brak Avos, spoke to Annelie Coleman about the country's avocado production.
Unlocking value through livestock exports
Exporting livestock might sound like a daunting business that's better left for big companies, but Gerrie Ferreira, who farms near Oudtshoorn in the Western Cape, has been doing it successfully for almost 30 years, sometimes in partnership with other breeders. He spoke to Glenneis Kriel about the huge potential this market holds, and offers some advice for farmers who are contemplating going this route.
An agribusiness's dedication to community upliftment
For agribusiness NWK, located in Lichtenburg, North West, corporate social investment is an important part of creating a positive influence alongside financial returns. Johan Bezuidenhout, NWK’s group manager of corporate marketing and communication, spoke to Annelie Coleman about why the company chooses to invest millions of rands in the area it operates in every year.
Empowering dreams, transforming lives
Since its launch in 2013, the Agri's Got Talent competition has revolutionised the lives of many farmworkers by unlocking their hidden talents and fostering a culture of empowerment. Glenneis Kriel spoke to various finalists about how the contest has changed their lives.
Foreign investment: agriculture maintains its appeal
South Africa remains a popular destination for foreign investors, despite an often negative outlook from its citizens. It is a gateway to Africa, and with its counterseasonal production to the Northern Hemisphere and favourable weather, local agriculture is especially well placed to attract foreign interest, bringing with it hope for rural communities
The real value and message of COP29 for SA agriculture
While the 2024 Conference of the Parties may have disappointed those who hoped for real progress, it's more important for South African agriculture to highlight its role in carbon mitigation
Improving efficiencies in feed and grain milling
Bühler, a Swiss-based company that provides solutions and equipment for various industries, including food and animal feed processing, has pledged that by 2025, it will deliver scalable solutions that will reduce energy, waste and water by 50% in the value chains of its customers.
Tips for better olive production
At an SA Olive Association field day in November, industry experts shared ways to improve olive production efficiencies, from soil preparation to harvesting.
More effort needed to protect vulnerable cheetah
On International Cheetah Day, commemorated every year on 4 December, emphasis was placed on the vulnerability of the species.
