By BAKANG MOKOTO

The Wildlife and Ecotourism expert at Tourism Research in Economics, Environs and Society (TREES), Professor Peet van der Merwe said the South African private wildlife hunting industry should be treasured. Van der Merwe said this was made evident by the research conducted by the research unit for at the North West University (NWU), which was steered by him, Andrea Saayman and Elmarie Slabbert.

He further said the research showed that the industry ploughs billions of rands back into South Africa’s economy. According to van der Merwe, the research aimed to determine the socio-economic impact of the private wildlife industry in South Africa, with surveys conducted from June 2022 to August 2022.

“Questionnaires were distributed online, garnering responses from 1 685 local hunters and 415 international hunters. Concerning local hunters, 97% of the respondents were male with an average age of 47 and 82% were married.

“On average, they participate in 2.7 hunting trips a year and stay 4.16 nights at their destination of choice. Their preferred provincial destinations were Limpopo, North West, Free State and Northern Cape. The international hunters’ profile showed that 89% were male, with an average age of 57 years, 81% were married and they had hunted in South Africa at least three times in the past ten years,” he said.

Van der Merwe added that, the South African hunters each had a total yearly expenditure of R63 282. He said this figure took into account on accommodation, transport, food, meat processing, hunting permits, fees and game hunted.

“With an estimated 200 000 local hunters, it can be deduced that they contributed about R12,65 billion to the South African economy. On to international hunters, not all their expenses occur within the confines of the country.

“For example, international flights, shipping costs for trophies and the purchase of items such as clothing before coming to South Africa, but adjusting for these numbers and taking into account pre and post-tour spending, the amount per hunter per hunting trip that goes to our local coffers is R450 000,” said van der Merwe.

He said together, local and international hunters contribute R15,456 billion to the economy. Van der Merwe said, however, this is not where the benefits end.

“More than 80% of local hunters believe that hunting tourism generates more income for the involved communities that hunting tourism increases job opportunities within the specific hunting area, that hunting tourism improves the economy as well as the standard of living in the area, and that it helps to preserve cultural traditions for future generations.

“Since the last comprehensive survey was conducted by TREES, the private wildlife industry has shown a R1,81 billion increase, although the rand/dollar exchange rate and an increase in living costs will have contributed to this figure,” he said.

Van der Merwe said the private wildlife industry is not just an essential part of the country’s tourist offering, but also an integral part of our economy. He said its value cannot be underestimated and they must do all that they can to preserve, promote and expand it.

“As a tool for sustainable job creation and conservation, we must utilise the myriad of opportunities the industry has to offer,” said Van der Merwe.

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