Wildlife Management

Site inventory 
This involves compiling species lists (birds, mammals, plants, etc.) of the given area, noting any important species, i.e. endangered, endemic, poisonous, exotic, etc. A crude estimate of game numbers is also made at this stage.

Habitat mapping 
A vegetation map, based on an aerial photograph, or better still, satellite photographs, is produced. This in turn is used to define habitat types. Surface water and prominent natural features are mapped, and a soil map produced. Infrastructure (artificial waterpoints, roads, homesteads, etc) is overlaid on the map.

Land rehabilitation 
Many newly acquired properties have been farmed and show signs of degradation. A programme should therefore be instituted to begin recovery of such areas. This has to take place before wildlife is reintroduced as excess animals may aggravate the situation.

Herbivore species reintroductions 
It is usual to reintroduce game species that historically occurred in an area. This is done by acquiring small breeding nuclei of species, and monitoring their progress. We do not advocate reintroductions of "mega-herbivores" (elephant, rhino, etc) or large carnivores at this stage.

Game counting 
Annual game counts are integral to any management plan. The method used will depend on vegetation, terrain, size of area, and cost, and may include a helicopter, fixed-wing aircraft or vehicle. Your staff and children can be trained to help with the count on foot, and even students can be called upon to help. It is important that the same procedure, preferably with the same people, be used annually, so that trends can be timeously observed.

Veld management 
Healthy herbivores require healthy habitat, and this is where veld management comes to the fore. The method will depend on the type of vegetation and your budget. Management procedures available for the grass layer are burning, rotational resting of areas, manipulation of game numbers, mowing the grass sward, and bush control. Control of the bush layer includes mechanical, chemical and biological methods. We also conduct assessments of the condition of your veld, largely based on the species composition and basal cover.

Mega-herbivore reintroductions 
We examine whether your property is large enough to accommodate large herbivores, such as elephant, rhino, buffalo and hippo, and determine whether the habitat is suitable. These animals are more difficult to introduce due to their cost, the diseases they sometimes carry and the expensive fence fortifications required.

Large carnivore reintroductions 
There are five animals in this class: lion, hyena, leopard, cheetah and wild dog. In many instances, leopards already exist, and we can offer expert assistance to habituate them. In many instances, however, habituation is not possible owing to past persecution and inaccessible terrain. In the case of lions, wild dogs and cheetahs, we examine whether your property is large enough to accommodate them. The more confined the reserve, the greater the potential for conflict amongst the carnivores. Also, smaller carnivores (cheetah and wild dog especially) need refuge space to escape from the most dominant carnivore, the lion.

We advise on your fence specifications and general management issues. Adequate fence fortification is paramount as break-outs of predators can have dire consequences for adjacent livestock.

Animal-carrying capacities 
For semi-arid savannas, we determine the animal-carrying capacity of your land according to rainfall patterns and healthy ecological models. We do not endorse the outdated livestock- carrying capacities that prevail in the agricultural industry.

Animal capture and veterinary services 
We can facilitate the capture of animals for relocation, health care or the fitting of radio-collars.

Problem animal control 
In many instances, particularly where wildlife and livestock co-exist, certain predator species can wreak havoc. This is particularly the case with jackals and caracals. We advise on the best method of control, preferring to advocate non-lethal means. If these are not effective, we can help to implement lethal, though humane, means of control.

Environmental Impact Assessments 
If you wish to develop infrastructure, such as a road network, lodges, housing placements or water points, we can perform environmental impact assessments. These may include studying how steep the slopes are, discovering which areas provide the best game viewing, measuring the impact on the hydrology, and determining the proximity of infrastructure to sensitive areas and endangered species.