Peak hunting season this year will be a quiet and economically devastating time if hunters continue to be prohibited from travelling between provinces. Wildlife Ranching South Africa says the pandemic has taken its toll on the game and hunting sector, and will impact a large number of the country’s game farmers, threatening their livelihoods and causing permanent destruction to the industry.
The report indicated an 86% decline in hunters and tourists visiting game farms and lodges in March and April, a 52% drop in live game sales, and that 67% of permanent employees have been adversely affected by salary cuts, unpaid leave and retrenchments. Before clarifications were gazetted, the hunting sector found itself in a grey area, where regulations such as interprovincial travel and accommodation was interpreted as not applying to the industry, explained Deff spokesperson Albi Modise.
When asked how the gap between hunting as a leisure activity and as a wildlife management tool can be bridged, tourism department director-general Victor Tharage told The Citizen that “wildlife management queries should be directed to relevant authorities. We are not responsible for that.”Andrag explained that hunting is more than a hobby, but an essential tool for wildlife management.
“Farmers have said ‘damn government, we’re going to hunt’. They say they cannot afford to lose their income, and have become disloyal. Farmers are responsible people – we wear masks, keep our distances and do everything we can because we don’t want to contract or spread the virus.” “There are no rules for hungry people. And a revolt is building up in people about this. If a regulation makes sense, you can go with it. But if you can’t, what motivation is there to follow the rules?”