Game Rangers Association of Africa

1
Game Rangers Association of Africa

• Policy on Hunting Practices in South Africa

2
GRAA Policy

• The GRAA supports ethical and sustainable hunting
  for trophies, meat or recreation as a sustainable
  form of landuse and in playing a major role in
  the conservation of the countrys biodiversity.

3
We also believe that

• Within the constraints of their existing budgets
  and capacity, the Provinces are doing a
  responsible job of managing hunting in SA

4
We are totally opposed to

• The hunting of captive-bred animals, in
  particular large carnivores as in the canned
  hunting industry
• This trade does nothing for the conservation of
  large carnivores or their habitats and should be
  banned as soon as possible

5
GRAA feels that

• This issue in particular has shown that Ethical
  Standards in SA has a price tag
• i.e. if the price is right, we are prepared to
  lower our standards!

6
We further support

• Controlled, sustainable and ethical hunting in
  areas adjacent to National Parks and other
  Protected Areas
• It could form an important element in encouraging
  Private Landowners and Communities to join in in
  the formation of Biosphere Reserves and similar
  conservation areas

7
We have taken note of

• Provincial officials and Politicians claiming
  that game on land adjacent to Nat Parks and other
  conservation areas are National Assets and
  should not be hunted.
• The logical follow-on to this should then be that
  the State should pay landowners for these animals
  and carry the costs of their conservation.

8
We recommend that

• Steps should be taken to ensure that the
  standards in the industry are maintained and
  improved where necessary.
• If necessary, an independent body should be
  established to facilitate the above.
• We also recommend that all recreational hunters
  should achieve and exhibit a minimum standard of
  competence and knowledge prior to being issued
  with a hunting permit.

9
GRAA is deeply concerned that

• Pressure is being brought to bear on the Ministry
  to adopt Euro-centric policies towards wildlife
  management in the country and
• we see these as being driven by an affluent
  minority that live far removed from rural poverty
  and the need to value wildlife as a resource that
  can be used to the benefit of people and the land
  itself.

10
We would like to urge

• We urge the panel view the issue from the point
  of view of the rural dweller and farmer, for that
  is where the success of conservation will be
  measured, not in elite city suburbs where
  well-fed citizens will not feel the impact if
  ethical hunting is curtailed.