Build on vision, driven by passion and having faith in God

[Home]  [About Ferdie]  [Photography]  [Videos]  [Birding]  [Safaris]  [Courses]  [Articles]  [Web design] [Contact us] [Links]

OVERSTOCKING by Dave Rushworth

While on the subject of habitat abuse and while we are experiencing the effects of a dry cycle in our rain pattern, animal pressure on fenced and confined areas needs mentioning.

 

The soil is the foundation for plant life.  The plants are the only food source for animals.  If the plants are placed under too much pressure they will adjust by diminishing in succession to lower quality pioneer plants. With less palatability and lower production the carrying capacity for animals is further reduced and lack of cover causes permanent soil damage through erosion.

Many non resident 'game farm owners' who wish to show off 'their game' during infrequent visits, seem unaware of the damage they are causing. High game concentrations are not a natural feature of the lowveld. Aggregations occur at certain times of the year, for various reasons but should not be simulated as a permanent spectacle to be viewed when convenient.

 

By over stocking these fenced areas, from which animals are unable to migrate, they are not only causing siltation of our rivers through erosion but are permanently destroying the country's natural assets. The resident game managers, who are employed because of their expertise and land-management abilities are put in a most invidious position by the committee decisions of some high-handed, greedy individuals. Feeding schemes, apart from certain cases for some rare species, are a complete waste of money that could be put to better use in the conservation of the areas.  In most cases feeding makes the situation worse.

The legislation exists and will soon be enforced to prevent land abuse. In the country's present political climate, certain individuals could not be adding better fuel to the cause of land claims. The grazing of cattle under intelligent managers would probably cause a lot less land damage than that presently being caused by confined and over stocked game areas. All damage is caused by greed for numbers and confinement, which is far removed from conservation.  These days it is a political knife edge.

The only future for these game areas of low carrying capacity is the removal of fences and unselfish attitudes that will permit traversing rights to game concentrations.  The selfish attitude of confining unsustainable stock on marginal land has already caused irreversible land damage.  Owners would be wise to leave land management decisions to the managers they employ and let them get on with the job with the committee support they deserve. The alternate is disaster, with the birds coming home to roost with a vengeance.