Innehållsförteckning för Issue 4 2019 från PRIVATE GAME | WILDLIFE RANCHING

The Industrial Revolution was and is one of the most important events in human history and dramatically transformed life for people throughout the world. The First Industrial Revolution began in Britain in the latter half of the 18th century and came with the understanding of the power of steam. With it came the development of the steam engine that changed the face of our world, reducing the need for human labour with machines in mining, transport, textile manufacture and agriculture. Further consequences were the urbanisation of the population and the formation of the monied middle class. The Second Industrial Revolution was approximately 100 years later and ended with the First World War. The focus was on the improved processes in steel production, advances in electricity production (Thomas Edison and his…

Thaba Tholo Game Farm in Limpopo is extremely proud of their African buffalo (Syncerus caffer) breeding bull ‘Okamoso’, sired by the well-known ‘Bayeto’ and grandson of the great ‘Matetsi’. With both these legendary bulls having sadly passed away, it is fantastic to see their genetics and legend live on. ‘Okamoso’ last measured 50 7/ 8". South African wildlife ranchers are known for breeding exceptional quality buffaloes. But there is a lot more behind the success story than meets the eye, including South Africa allowing the movement and translocation of selected Cape buffalo by way of strictly regulated control. Read more about ‘Buffalo breeding milestones’ on page 62. “As a game rancher, I am grateful for the privilege to ranch with buffalo along with a government that was bold enough to…

Rydall was tasked by the South African Weather Service to lead the deployment of Automated Weather Systems into the larger African continent, successfully deploying into Tanzania, Swaziland, Lesotho, Namibia and Zambia. He is the Manager: Infrastructure Availability, overseeing the Radar and Lightning Detection Networks, and also fulfils the role of Acting Senior Manager: Technical Service, overseeing all the company’s weather observation infrastructure supported by a team of technicians, technologists, specialists and engineers. Over the past decade, the South African Weather Service (SAWS) has improved its near-real-time remote sensing weather prediction and monitoring capability through its continued upgrades of radar and lightning detection technology. Our Radar Network A weather radar is a real-time observation instrument that sends out radio waves in a narrow beam at a specific frequency. These radio waves…

Stevens, C. E., & Hume, I. D. (2004). Comparative physiology of the vertebrate digestive system (Second Edition). Cambridge University Press. Bothma, J. du P., and J. G. Du Toit (Eds). 2016. Game ranch management. Sixth edition. Van Schaik, Pretoria. Cheeke, P. R., & Dierenfeld, E. S. (2010). Comparative animal nutrition and metabolism. CABI. Clauss, M., Hofmann, R. R., Fickel, J., Streich, W. J., & Hummel, J. (2009). The intraruminal papillation gradient in wild ruminants of different feeding types: Implications for rumen physiology. Journal of Morphology, 270(8), 929–942. Hofmann, R. R. (1973). The ruminant stomach : stomach structure and feeding habits of East African game ruminants. Nairobi : East African Literature Bureau. Hofmann, R. R. (1989). Evolutionary steps of ecophysiological adaptation and diversification of ruminants: a comparitive view of their digestive…

Private landowners have over many years played vital roles in preserving some of South Africa’s iconic species from oblivion and De Beers has been an outstanding example of this. As we have seen its Kimberley farms have been able to supply significant numbers of both red hartebeest and black wildebeest over a period of many years. The ‘genetically pure’ herd of black wildebeest still roaming Benfontein a century later is a priceless national asset and will no doubt have a crucial role to play once the dust finally settles on the whole issue of hybridisation and the way forward is clarified by the authorities concerned.…

Author: Anne Sverdrup-Thygeson Publisher: Mudlark (Harper Collins) Language: English Pages: 292 Format: Paperback Retail price: R322 This book, written by a Norwegian entomologist, is a light-hearted account in praise of insects; it chronicles their long history of existence (479 million years) since before the appearance of the dinosaurs up to the present time. During this time, insects have become the most numerous and diverse complex life forms on earth with arguably some of the most spectacular adaptations to their planet. Given the small size of their brains, their inventions have been spectacular – as a group they invented flying, diversified into a million species, and enabled the evolution of flowering plants which they pollinate. They live on all continents, at high altitudes, in deep caves, hot springs, baptismal fonts, computers,…

To us it feels like winter disappeared and summer arrived in one day. It is wonderful to see the buds and blooms on the coral and wild pear trees. But spring and summer also bring their challenges, such as parasites, including worms (helminths), and insects such as flies and their appalling larvae that cause strike (myiasis). Very often these will lead to secondary bacterial infections, abscesses and even the loss of ears, teats and prepuces. Ticks are by far the most damaging ectoparasites. In South Africa there are 85 species of hard ticks and 21 species of soft ticks. Of these, some 35 ixodids and 5 argasids are normally associated with domestic animals, and approximately 10 ixodids are considered to be of major economic importance. These species transmit or are…

As gevolg van menslike aktiwiteite, het die aarde se natuurlike stelsels en habitatte die afgelope 50 jaar ongekende vlakke van spanning en vernietiging ondergaan. Die Internasionale Natuurbewaringsunie (IUCN) se internasionale kongres in Hawaii in 2016 het wêreldwyd hoofopskrifte gehaal deur die aandag te vestig op skokkende navorsing wat toon dat die wêreld tans ’n massa-uitwissing ondergaan. “Die wild-ekonomie het ’n deurslaggewende rol in die aanspreek van die kwessie van transformasie.” Die omgewingsgemeenskap het gepoog om die omgewingsbewaringsagenda onder die hoofstroom-aandag te bring, veral sedert die Rio-Aardeberaad in 1992. Terwyl die toestand van ons omgewing teen ’n onrusbarende tempo agteruitgegaan het, het daar sedertdien parallel hiermee ’n seismiese revolusie in wetenskap en tegnologie teen ’n verblindende spoed plaasgevind en dit neem teen ’n eksponensiële tempo toe. Die menslike vermoë om data…

As discussed in my recent contributions in this magazine, the wildlife industry is shaped by social, economic and political factors – in other words it is shaped by human needs and wants, at both individual and collective levels, as well as social norms. These factors also evolve and change over time as human tastes and preferences change and societies move in new directions. There are various reasons for such changes to take place, including environmental factors, but in modern society one of the greatest and fastest potential game changers is advances in technology. Smartphones, GPS location services, global networking, big data and biotechnology are revolutionising the way the world works and changing the way in which we perceive and manage wildlife. Looking back through history, we can observe times when…

❶ ’n Sertifikaat van voldoende omheining se hernuwing gaan voortaan uitgereik word sonder formele inspeksie van Cape Nature-amptenare. Die wildboer neem verantwoordelikheid vir sy eie drade. ❷ Ekotipes – jag en verkope van die spesies word toegelaat selfs vanuit die Wes-Kaap. ❸ Alle permitte moet binne drie dae uitgereik word. ❹ Skuif van diere tussen plase met goedgekeurde bestuursplanne. ❺ Njalas en rooibokke vorm deel van bestuursplanne.…

“The El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) remains in a moderate El Niño state and the forecast indicate that it will remain in at least a weak El Niño state throughout early- to mid-summer. Caution is advised however, as ENSO forecasts are less skilful during the winter and spring periods. There is an indication of above-normal rainfall conditions during early-spring (Aug-Sep-Oct) for parts of the winter rainfall region. Below-normal rainfall, however, is expected over parts of the south coast throughout early-, mid- (Sep-Oct-Nov) and late-spring (Oct-Nov-Dec). Spring rainfall areas in the east are expected to receive above-normal rainfall during late-spring. Forecasts for the central interior indicates a higher chance of increased rainfall intensity (>15mm rainfall days) during mid-spring. With regards to temperatures, mostly higher than normal temperatures are expected for the northern…

(1) Bigalke RC, Wildlife Conservation – The De Beers Example, Optima, 1984. (2) www.prynnsberg.co.za (3) Bigalke RC, The Status of the Black Wildebeest Connochaetes Gnou (Zimm) in the Union of South Africa, South African Journal of Science Vol XLIII pp 213-220, July 1947. (4) Von Richter W, Past and Present Distribution of the Black Wildebeest Connochaetes Gnou Zimmermann (Artiodactyla: Bovidae) With Special Reference to the History of Some Herds in South Africa, Annals of the Transvaal Museum Vol 27 No 4 31/3/1971. (5) Vrahimis S, Grobler P, Brink J, Viljoen P, Schulze E. A Conservation Assessment of Connochaetes Gnou. 2016. In Child MF, Roxburgh L, Do Linh San E, Raimondo D, Davies-Mostert HT, editors. The Red List of Mammals of South Africa, Swaziland and Lesotho. SANBI and EWT, South Africa.…

Author: Marcus Byrne and Helen Lunn Publisher: Wits University Press Language: English Pages: 240 Retail price: R320 “Dung beetles hold the key to that mystery of evolutionary biology.” This book is the result of a collaboration between writer and musicologist Helen Lunn and a research scientist Markus Byrne who has studied dung beetles for the last 30 years. In the introductory chapters they relate the story of dung beetles and humans in mythology, medicine and magic. This historical account has been praised by critics, but for me the highlights of the book were the biological aspects of the beetles. These include how dung beetles were used for biological control of dung flies in Hawaii and Australia and the essential role dung beetles play in the removal and recycling of the…

A focus on strategy was an obvious choice when we considered the 2019 themes for Wildlife Ranching magazine. One of the most effective tools for strategic planning is to use the PESTLE analysis ( P olitical, E conomic, S ocial, T echnological, L egal, E nvironmental) as a guideline to examine opportunities and threats. Technological factors include technological aspects like R&D activity, automation, technology incentives and the rate of technological change. These can determine barriers to entry, minimise efficient production levels and influence the outsourcing decisions. Furthermore, technological shifts would affect costs and quality, and lead to innovation in respective industries. In our lead article, ‘THE BIGGER PICTURE’, Michael ‘t Sas-Rolfes explains that in modern society one of the greatest and fastest potential game changers is advances in technology. Michael…

STAY CLOSE TO APPLICABLE TECHNOLOGY We are living in exciting times in South Africa. The major lesson I have learned over the years is that the past is history – you have to adapt or die! This principle is without any doubt applicable in South Africa currently. It not only applies to game farming, but to almost any type of business or lifestyle. Fortunately, we have a lot of technology at our disposal that we have to make use of. If one looks at DNA testing for parentage and for example on sable antelope for nuclear and mitochondrial results, this technology must be seen as another tool in our toolboxes. With DNA the exact parentage can be confirmed and that takes the question mark out of breeding. But remember, technology…

“Towards the end of the 19th century De Beers started acquiring a number of ‘diamondiferous’ properties in the Kimberley area. From the outset the company’s directors took an active interest in the game on these farms.” Having retired from corporate life last year, John is fully focused on the continuous development and improvement of Nondo Private Game Reserve, a 638ha safe haven for a full spectrum of smaller mammals, birds, predators and a thriving free-ranging tsessebe population situated in the western bushveld of the Limpopo Province. DE BEERS KIMBERLEY FARMS’ VALUABLE CONTRIBUTION TO NATIONAL CONSERVATION Towards the end of the 19th century De Beers started acquiring a number of ‘diamondiferous’ properties in the Kimberley area straddling today’s Northern Cape and Free State Provinces. Although denuded of much of their once…

Author: Mike Picker, Charles Griffiths and Alan Weaving Publisher: Penguin Random House South Africa Language: English Pages: 300 Format: Paperback Retail price: R300 Even if you have the previous field guide published by these authors, you will be delighted by this update that features a stunning new cover, as well as photos and text on an additional 300 species of South African insects, bringing the total to 1 500 featured. If you are not familiar with the guide, it rightly claims to be the most authoritative field guide of insects found in South Africa. The introduction orientates the reader about insects in general with sections on their diversity and economic importance, as well as insect biology in terms of anatomy and life history. The intro also gives information on observing,…

With good prices and rising demand pecan production is on the increase. We have many world-class cultivars available in South Africa and growers must plant the right cultivars for their farm. Pecan orchards can last for more than a century and can produce a good crop for generations to come. “Growers must plant the correct cultivars for their farm.” Establishing a pecan orchard: ➊ The best way to establish a new pecan orchard is to plant high quality grafted nursery trees. ➋ Planting ungrafted trees (rootstock) and grafting these trees later in field, leads to uneven orchards that seldom reach their full potential. ➌ Seed planted directly into the orchard to graft later is a recipe for failure and not advised for commercial production. Producers plant prolific and precocious varieties…