Business of Conservation
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This digital collection includes presentations given at the 8th International Wildlife Ranching Symposium held in 2014 for the symposium theme: Business of Conservation.
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Browsing Business of Conservation by Author "Dry, Gert C., speaker"
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Item Open Access Transaction cost measurement for the evaluation of the regulation of live wildlife trade in South Africa(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2014-09) Dry, Gert C., speaker; van Hoven, Wouter, moderator; International Wildlife Ranching Symposium, producerAlthough South Africa has in theory, an economic comparative advantage in the production of indigenous wildlife, the ability to capitalize on this advantage was originally initiated by an incisive policy that entrusted ownership of wildlife to private landowners. Since 1991, wildlife ranchers have continued to transform marginal land into thriving operations despite a largely unreceptive policy environment. Discrepancies that exist between provincial permit-award procedures, the conservation status of many indigenous species, and the degree to which translocation can occur not only generates uncertainty; it also raises concerns amongst wildlife ranchers with regards to the cost of doing business. This status quo suggests that the current regulatory environment is not organized in such a way that transaction cost are minimized. Hence, the regulatory environment is not an efficiency-inducing administrative instrument that facilitates exchanges between economic agents. The paper addresses the latter; revewing policy-induced transaction cost associated with the live trade of wildlife species. It is argued that the implicit costs force consideration of externalities that would otherwise be ignored when market forced act in their own best interest. Results revealed significant implicit cost which confirms that the current regulatory environment is not efficient. This research not only indicates the need for legislation that is standardized across provinces, it also reveals the importance of transaction cost considerations when biodiversity or environmental policies are developed or amended.Item Open Access Wildlife ranching industry: the South African flagship of a sustainable green economy(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2014-09) Dry, Gert C., speaker; International Wildlife Ranching Symposium, producerUnlike American wildlife culture which is based on the belief that making money out of wildlife is immoral; the South African wildlife culture is based upon sustainable use and or commercialisation. It is trite knowledge that the value placed on game, the wildlife industry has not only restored wildlife to the land but has also enhanced and restored the genetic quality of our wildlife. The wildlife industry has grown positively, predominantly as a result of the legal trade, the exclusivity of wildlife and the hunting and tourism industry. Currently 16,8% marginal, uneconomic, semi desert agricultural land has been converted into a sustainable land use option. All private game ranches are marginal farms in economic terms that have been converted from domestic stock/crop farms into effective land-use options. These farms are not, and never have been conservation land. The South African Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) has been highly successful with their conservation and preservation mandate with regard to national- and provincial owned parks but the implementation of a newly proposed legislative regime will seriously cripple the wildlife industry as the 'flagship' of South Africa's Green Economy. The wildlife industry proposes the development of enabling legislation that will give the wildlife industry room to grow and prosper and to be regulated as a "national competency" for the governance of the wildlife industry. The wildlife industry can assist the national growth agenda to ensure real progress. The sustainable use of South African wildlife can gain traction given evidence based research reported in various pieces of research, Macro Economic indicators for game ranching in South Africa and some specific game ranching growth initiatives.