| Following the furore of the anti-fur campaign it | | | | to create man-made articles such as ostrich skin |
| has long been regarded as politically incorrect to | | | | handbags, zebra skin rugs, crocodile wallets and |
| don the skins of wild animals. Interestingly enough, | | | | snakeskin belts. |
| conservation in South Africa has been so | | | | It is also important to bear in mind that the vast |
| successful it is the ever-increasing numbers of | | | | majority of conservation-friendly pelts and skins |
| wildlife themselves that is arguably the biggest | | | | have come from wild animals specifically reared |
| threat to their ongoing survival. | | | | for their meat and skins. A percentage of the |
| When you consider there are more wild animals in | | | | income generated from the culled animal is |
| South Africa today than in the past 100 years, | | | | ploughed back into the industry and is used in |
| then it stands to reason that control and | | | | conservation programmes as well as the |
| regulation is imperative. | | | | management and upkeep of important wildlife |
| Increased land use for the conservation of wildlife | | | | sanctuaries in the country. |
| Apart from the increasing number of conservation | | | | Wildlife ranching on the up and up |
| areas set aside by government, there has also | | | | The live trade of wild life at legitimate game |
| been an unprecedented increase in the number of | | | | auctions is an indication of the growth of the |
| private game reserves, particularly in the Eastern | | | | wildlife ranching sector and in 2003 nineteen and a |
| Cape where over 20% of all the land is used for | | | | half thousand wild animals were sold live at almost |
| the conservation and proliferation of wildlife. | | | | 60 auctions throughout the country. |
| The recent trend, unique to South Africa, of | | | | The large amounts of money that change hands |
| former cattle farmers converting to wildlife | | | | at these auctions for the so-called rare animals |
| ranches has only served to exacerbate the | | | | like leopard, lion and cheetah has had an |
| problem and harsh measures have had to be | | | | enormously beneficial effect on the sustainability |
| introduced in an effort to spare the land from | | | | of these formerly endangered species. More and |
| overgrazing. It is estimated that over 500 000 ha | | | | more effort is being made by wildlife farmers to |
| are being converted from cattle to game each | | | | increase their numbers and thereby their bank |
| and every year. | | | | balances. |
| Although the vast majority of us baulk at the | | | | So before your throw all your toys out of the |
| suggestion of culling, it has proven to be the most | | | | cot when you see a trendy lady gliding by in |
| successful method of game control. | | | | zebra skin shoes, bear in mind the animal was |
| Regulated big game hunting is actively encouraged | | | | reared specifically for its meat and skin or more |
| Regulated big game hunting is also actively | | | | than likely had to die for the balance of the |
| encouraged and it is the skins, meat and other | | | | greater good. |
| body parts of these animals that are legally used | | | | |