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Scientific assessment (PredSA)
HISTORIC FIRST FOR PREDATION MANAGEMENT IN SOUTH AFRICA
A single document containing detailed and current insight and knowledge into the complex situation of predation management has been finalized and was launched at the Nelson Mandela University on 16 November 2018.
In this historic first (nationally and globally), the Scientific Assessment for Livestock Predation and its Management in South Africa, will form the basis of contemplating policy development and will strengthen Government’s resolve to develop evidence-based policy and to recognize that in many complex situations, such as where there is predation on livestock, there is no silver bullet solution.
The partnership of Government, industry, stakeholders and leading researchers emerged to resource and formulate the Scientific Assessment and shows the strong commitment to address the conflicts around livestock predation management.
During this event, Prof. Graham Kerley of Nelson Mandela University provided an overview of the assessment and felt assured that the document will contribute towards reducing conflict as well as sustaining both agricultural production and biodiversity.
Sipiwo Makinana representing the wool industry highlighted the plights of emerging livestock farmers on predation and acknowledged the outcome of the assessment that commercial and communal livestock farmers face similar predation challenges.
Guillau du Toit, chairman of the Predation management forum (PMF) welcomed the assessment and referred to the chapter on policy and recommendations to government as the most essential part of the study as regulations and legislation, which impact the production practices of livestock and wildlife ranching producers, need an overhaul. He thanked Prof. Graham Kerley and his team for the inclusivity of the process and the involvement of a magnitude of researchers, authors and reviewers.
The implications of the findings for Government were welcomed by both the Department for Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) and Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA). Mr. Joe Kgobokoe representing DAFF and Ms. Mancotywa from DEA acknowledged the requirement of both a strategic national research programme to provide evidence for policy development as well as closer cooperation between policy developers, livestock managers / farmers and researchers.
As this book is aimed at helping agricultural and conservation policymakers and managers to arrive at improved approaches for reducing livestock predation, while at the same time contributing to the conservation of our natural predators, the Predation Management Forum would like to thank all the roleplayers who made the realization of the publication possible.
Click here for publication Livestock Predation and its Management in South Africa – A Scientific Assessment
International and national reviews on PredSA
JANUARY 2020
Reviewer Prof. Brian Reilly of the Tshwane University of Technology speaks positively on the PredSA publication that was released in 2018. He regards it as a high quality narrative, but its major value lies in the comprehensive literature cited. At the end of each chapter, knowledge gaps are identified and suggestions raised as to where optimal scientific and financial investments in the future should lie.
The book will be useful in many areas of research and could also help change attitudes to land and wildlife management, reinforcing many underlying principles, but also acting as an engine for shifting attitudes to wildlife, its management and human ethical dilemma.
MAY 2019
Paper published by Prof. Graham Kerley highlights how PredSA contributes to best practice in running scientific assessments, the broad messages for policy makers (and researchers) with regards to predation management in SA, and also provides some comments on synthesis centres in Africa and the potential role of assessments to fill this gap. A key point about the need to capacitate policy makers is made.
APRIL 2019
POSITIVE INTERNATIONAL PERSPECTIVE ON PRED SA
“The Livestock Predation and its management in SA: A Scientific Assessment” received a positive book review by Dr. Peter Fleming from Australia. This independent international perspective is about to be published in the African Journal of Wildlife Research.
Fleming’s review is positive, critically identifies some important areas for consideration and also highlights the value of the governance process that guided PredSA.
