Hunting policy: call for comment
Dirk Nel
17 February 2005
The debate around the government's draft policy on the sustainable use of large predators in South Africa is heating up as the 1 July implementation date approaches, particularly in two of the country's Big Five provinces, Limpopo and Mpumalanga.
The draft policy, dealing mainly with the killing of large predators in unnatural conditions, is seen by some conservationists as a positive development, while others in the wildlife industry say the suggested measures are not comprehensive enough.
The draft by the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, recently published in the Government Gazette for public comment, contains guidelines to regulate so-called "canned lion hunting" and other such practices.
Written comments should be sent, not later than 15
March, to:
The Director-General
Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism
Private Bag X447
PRETORIA 0001
For Attention: Dr Pieter Botha
Or e-mail largepredator@deat.gov.za
Inquiries should be directed to Dr Pieter Botha at (012) 310-3575 (e-mail pbotha@deat.gov.za) or Sonja Meintjes at (012) 310-3545 (e-mail smeintjes@deat.gov.za
Info, SMS campaign
Sanwild Trust, a body supported by many corporate companies, private conservationists and animal welfare organisations, has set up facilities to encourage public participation in the legislation process.
The Trust is opposed to the breeding and hunting of lions and other predators under semi-captive conditions, and insists that the department has overlooked many aspects of this controversial subject.
A recent statement
by the department pointed out that a voluntary moratorium on certain types of hunting was introduced in 1997, when it became evident that some provinces were unable to enforce existing measures. This had made a national policy on all aspects of predator hunting essential.
The department has welcomed the interest shown by individuals, conservation groups and businesses committed to wildlife preservation, and pointed out that a participatory process would be launched soon.
Sanwild has set up an information line to ensure that the public is kept informed on developments. Any member of the public can e-mail louise@sanwild.org or sanwild@pixie.co.za to be put on the mailing list, and to receive a free electronic copy of the draft policy.
Sanwild is also encouraging South Africans to voice their support for, or objections against, the draft policy by sending an SMS answer to the following
question: "Should large predators be bred in captivity for hunting purposes?" SMS "yes" or "no" to 35786 (at R3 per SMS).
According to Sanwild, the SMS vote line does not replace the written comments that have to be submitted to the Department of Environmental Affairs, but serve as an additional independent poll that will allow for broader public participation. Results will be audited by independent auditors and submitted to the Department of Environmental Affairs.
Source: BuaNews
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