Farming with the small 5: welcome to the world of unique mini antelope species!
Date
2016-09
Authors
le Roux, Arnaud, author
International Wildlife Ranching Symposium, publisher
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Abstract
The main objective for a Small Antelope Breeding Industry (SABI) is to promote the conservation of all the small antelopes in their natural habitats in southern Africa. One of the biggest threats to small antelope species is habitat loss and fragmentation. While captive breeding may contribute towards achieving the goals of the SABI, there is also a risk that providing captive breeding as an option will result in more land transformation and habitat loss based upon the perception that animals on land suitable for development can simply be removed and put into a captive breeding facility. This may ultimately work against the objectives of small antelope conservation, especially considering that the success of rehabilitation of captive bred animals into the wild has not been well tested. Captive breeding must therefore only be seen as a management tool to ultimately support the return of animals into natural habitat, and must not be seen as a conservation tool in isolation to conserving small antelope species in their natural habitats. Source animals are from (1) a population that is ‘doomed' i.e. population is under imminent threat of extinction due to land use change or poaching, and where there are no options for natural movement of animals to contribute to a larger metapopulation, (2) a population at or above maximum productivity carrying capacity (i.e. at or above 75% of ecological carrying capacity) or a level at which Provincial conservation agencies are prepared to grant a capture permit, or (3) animals that are injured or imprinted and are hence non-releasable. The purpose is to ensure that there are no extra negative impacts on wild populations; it is undesirable to remove animals from wild populations where these populations are below carrying capacity, or where options exist to translocated animals to other areas of natural habitat. In all cases status of populations (doomed populations, populations above maximum productivity carrying capacity, and non-releasable animals) is to be assessed by an authorized representative.
Description
Presented at the 9th international wildlife ranching symposium: wildlife - the key to prosperity for rural communities, held on 12-16 September 2016 at Hotel Safari & the Safari Court, Windhoek, Namibia.