lesson 1 Monday 29 July 2024.pptx

CHAPTER 1 NRM 361  The objective of NRM 361(Game farming ) is to inform students about wildlife aspects ,wildlife terminology and understand the basic habitat requirements of game species in general. THE MODULE This m...

CHAPTER 1 NRM 361  The objective of NRM 361(Game farming ) is to inform students about wildlife aspects ,wildlife terminology and understand the basic habitat requirements of game species in general. THE MODULE This module will enable students to make the OBJECTIVE best decisions on stocking the best suited animals for all-production units. This module can be used as foundation to build knowledge on wildlife management /game ranching.  Students can find a course outline for NRM 361 in the student guide. The student must bring this study guide and their notes, together with any necessary stationery, to every class. The study guide can be modified or updated GENERAL at any time by the lecturer ,it always mandatory to attend all classes. It is the responsibility of each student to stay up updated with schedule and syllabus.  Assessment break down Test 1 = 40% Test 2 =40% CONTINUOUS Tests contribute 80% of your semester mark ASSESSMENT Assignments = 20% We have one official assignment which contributes 20% to your final.  INTRODUCTION Before 1960  BEFORE 1960 Hunting in South Africa before 1960 had a rich and complex history, shaped by indigenous practices, colonial influences, and the evolution of conservation awareness. Colonial Era European Settlers: The arrival of European settlers in the 17th century marked a significant shift in hunting practices. Firearms were introduced, leading less sustainable hunting. Commercial Hunting: Hunting became commercialized, with game being hunted for sport, meat, and hides. This led to overhunting and significant declines in wildlife populations. Wildlife Decline Overhunting: The extensive hunting, both for commercial purposes and sport, led to dramatic declines in many wildlife species. By the mid-20th century, some species faced the threat of extinction. Habitat Loss: Alongside hunting, habitat loss due to agriculture and urban development further exacerbated the decline in wildlife populations  INTRODUCTION BEFORE 1964 EARLY 2009  INTRODUCTION BEFORE 1968 EARLY 2009 Decline in Populations: By 1968, many wildlife species were in Recovery and Stabilization: By 2007, conservation efforts had led to decline due to extensive hunting, habitat loss, and human the recovery and stabilization of several key species. encroachment. Populations of elephants, white rhinos, and certain antelope species Endangered Species: Several species, such as the African saw significant increases due to effective conservation measures. elephant, black rhino, and various antelope species, were threatened or endangered Expanded Protected Areas: The network of national parks, game.Limited Protected Areas: The establishment of protected areas reserves, and private game ranches had expanded, providing more was still in its early stages, with Kruger National Park being the extensive protection and habitat for wildlife most prominent. Notable additions included parks like Addo Elephant National Park However, many areas lacked adequate protection and and Madikwe Game Reserve management. Biodiversity Hotspots: South Africa's status as a biodiversity hotspot Poaching and Illegal Hunting: Poaching and illegal hunting were was more widely recognized, leading to international support and significant threats, with limited enforcement of wildlife laws. collaboration in conservation efforts.  SOME STATISTICS ON GAME RANCHING Index of the growth of the game ranching industry: During 1991 the sale of wildlife amounted to R 9 million, of which 68.0 % were sold by conservation authorities. During 2000, the income from live animal sales was R 180 million, with most of the animals sold by private owners. During 2008, the income from live animal sales was R 94 million, with an average price increase of 4% per year. These live sales contributed only 2 % of a total estimated value of R 4.7 bil. of the game ranching industry of SA in 2008.  SOME STATISTICS ON GAME RANCHING The other sources of income were: Recreational hunting - R 3.1 billion (66 %) Translocation of game - R 750 million (16 %) Trophy hunting R 510 million (11 %) Taxidermy R 200 million (4 %) Meat production R 42 million (1 %) The region in South Africa with the most wildlife ranches is the Limpopo Province, with almost half (49.0 %) of all South Africa’s exempted wildlife ranches. It is followed by the Northern Cape (19.5 %) and the Eastern Cape Province (12.3 %).  GAME RANCHING AND CONSERVATION Formal conservation areas comprise a very small percentage of South Africa (< 6%), with more than 80 % of South Africa (105 million hectare) available for agriculture and forestry. With the correct scientific approach and sound management, game ranching can be highly economical and contribute to the conservation of our valuable natural resources. Game ranching is often perceived as “an easy farming system”. There are no camps and thus no grazing system to be applied. The truth, however, is that game ranching is far more complex than generally anticipated.  GAME RANCHING AND CONSERVATION With a multi-species system, the number of variables is much higher and thus require a broad knowledge base and an active rather than a passive approach to management. There is growing concern among some conservationists about the over commercialization of wildlife and the impact that this may have on conservation of species and ecosystems. Some concerns are: 1. Cross breeding of closely related species and sub-species,  GAME RANCHING AND CONSERVATION With a multi-species system, the number of variables is much higher and thus require a broad knowledge base and an active rather than a passive approach to management. There is growing concern among some conservationists about the over commercialisation of wildlife and the impact that this may have on conservation of species and ecosystems. Some concerns are: 2) Deliberate breeding of colour mutations,  GAME RANCHING AND CONSERVATION With a multi-species system the number of variables is much higher and thus require a broad knowledge base and an active rather than a passive approach to management. There is growing concern among some conservationists about the over commercialisation of wildlife and the impact that this may have on conservation of species and ecosystems. Some concerns are: 3. Breeding of scarce and endangered species for trophy purposes by people without the necessary knowledge, and  GAME RANCHING AND CONSERVATION With a multi-species system the number of variables is much higher and thus require a broad knowledge base and an active rather than a passive approach to management. There is growing concern among some conservationists about the over commercialisation of wildlife and the impact that this may have on conservation of species and ecosystems. Some concerns are: 4. Introduction of game into areas and habitats where they did not naturally occur before.  WARNING LIGHTS IN THE GAME INDUSTRY - Slowdown in the establishment of new game ranches that decrease the demand for live game / more animals on offer. - Political instability of the region that influence foreign visitors (hunters). - Rumours of limiting the establishment of new game ranches through legislation. - Children, especially those in cities, grow up without the traditional rifle and hunting culture (hug them don't kill them). - New legislation on gun ownership - negative influence on local hunters and hunting industry. Biodiversity legislation and TOPS (Threatened or Protected Species) regulations. - Too many small "game ranches" and the perception that game ranching is easy - not ecological sustainable.  ECOLOGICALLY SUSTAINABLE, SCIENTIFICALLY BASED GAME RANCHING Two important questions With what type of game species can I stock my ranch with its unique opportunities and limitations, and How many of every game species can I keep? For more information visit Page 3 of your study guide  FACTORS DETERMINING WHICH SPECIES CAN BE KEPT Habitat suitability Maintaining genetic integrity Purpose of the ranch Fencing requirements Buying costs For more information visit Page 3 of your study guide  PRINCIPLES, TERMS AND DEFINITIONS High-density and low-density game species High-Density Game Species :These species have a large number of individuals per unit area. They typically thrive in environments with abundant resources and can sustain higher levels of predation and hunting pressure Characteristics Fast reproduction rates. Often smaller in size. High adaptability to varying environments. Examples: Rabbits, white-tailed deer  PRINCIPLES, TERMS AND DEFINITIONS Low-Density Game Species These species have fewer individuals per unit area. They might inhabit larger territories and can be more sensitive to environmental changes and human activities. Characteristics: Slower reproduction rates. Often larger in size. Specific habitat requirements. Examples:  CLASSES OF CONSUMERS Browsers : Browsers include those species that feed primarily on woody plants.Animals that mainly eat leaves from trees and shrubs ,i.e. Giraffe, Kudu ,Black rhino and Klipspringer Concentrate Feeders :Animals that select nutritious food items like flowers ,fruits ,juicy leaves.Concentrate feeder are highly selective during feeding.Selective feeders usually have small mouths that enable them to reach specific plant parts. Examples are Impala ,Bushbuck and Nyala Mixed Feeder :Animals that graze and browse during different seasons ,e.g. Bushbuck ,Elephant ,Impala. Grazers :Grazers include those species that feed primarily on grasses and their digestion system (as ruminants ),Blue wildebeest ,Gemsbok ,Mountain Reedbuck. Bulk feeder :Animals that are not selective about which grass to eat. Bulk feeders are usually physically large with wide mouths that enable them to consume large quantities of food, Examples are White rhino and Buffalo  CLASSIFICATION BASED ON IMPACT ON VEGETATION Type I: Species which are capable of causing an initial drastic change in the vegetation and in the physical environment. Examples ,Elephant ,white rhino ,buffalo and zebra. Type II: Those sensitive species that are negatively influenced by the actions of the Type I and Type III species. Type III: Those species that are favoured by the actions of the Type I species. They further modify the vegetation and perpetuate this new state by their selective feeding habits. Type IV: Species that are influenced by the actions of Type I and III species, but which have little further impact on the vegetation.  THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN BODY SIZE AND TIME SPENT ON FEEDING Body size often closely related to metabolic rate. - Small species have a faster metabolic rate than larger species, subsequently also a higher food requirement. - Smaller species may thus spend more time feeding than larger game species. - A positive relationship exists between the size of an animal and the daily food intake in relation to body mass. - As a rule, the smaller the animal the larger the daily food intake in relation to body mass.