Compelling Reasons for Game Ranching in Maputaland

Summary

The last decade has seen a considerable increase in the area of land devoted to wildlife in South Africa. In this chapter we argue that this has been driven by economic rather than conservation reasons. A strong local and overseas market within the right political and legal framework have made game ranching an economically attractive proposition for many landowners in certain areas of South Africa such as Maputaland.

An obstacle to the creation of game ranches is the large sum of initial capital required for the acquisition of game and the erection of fences and other infrastructure. This chapter provides four case studies on how this problem was overcome. Shareblock schemes provide one method for raising the required capital. This method has had a significant impact on the growth of game ranching in South Africa and so the schemes are discussed in some detail.

The use of mathematical models have contributed to the optimal utilisation of capital in the set-up phase of a game ranch and in determining management strategies to maximise sustainable income. A case study is provided where this approach was used to calculate an optimal mix of species. Another mathematical model then generated the sequence of purchases and acquisitions of game that minimise total net capital outflow during the set-up period. This minimisation enabled the optimal sustainable populations to be attained within three years taking into account ecological constraints and the limited availability of some species. The model output also includes a detailed cash flow statement for the set-up period.