Western Cape Translocation Policy

1) Cape Nature Final Draft Translocation Policy, dated August 2009

2) PHASA Comments to the Translocation Policy, dated 26 May 2010

SUMMARY OF CAPE NATURE: TRANSLOCATION POLICY WORKSHOP HELD AT ELSENBURG ON  4 JUNE 2010 – by Adri Kitshoff

Peter Butland and Adri Kitshoff attended the workshop on behalf of PHASA, which was facilitated by the CEO of Cape Nature, Ms Lucille Meyer and attended by:
Minister Anton Bredell (Environmental Affairs); and
Minister Gerrit Van Rensburg (Agriculture & Rural Development)

Ms Meyer explained the purpose of the meeting to be an opportunity to have a proper dialogue on what the concerns are and to find some solutions.

Minister Bredell emphasized the importance of the opportunity and ensured all that they want to preserve wildlife and the hunting industry for future generations.  He also referred to a possible structure (forum) to be put into place where the industry and authorities can have regular formal discussions.

Minister Van Rensburg gave the assurance that the Department wants to work together with the industry.

Dr Kas Hamman, Jaco Van Deventer and Peter Lloyd represented Cape Nature.

The workshop was attended by a wide spectrum of representatives from the industry, including game ranchers, veterinarian, hunting associations, game capturers, etc.

Dr Kas Hamman gave a presentation on a better collaboration between the wildlife industry and conservation authorities, whilst Jaco Van Deventer and Peter Lloyd explained the main objectives and principles of the policy.
Ken Coetzee of Conservation Management Services did a presentation on “Sensible game ranch management”.
Jacques Malan (WRSA) presented the WRSA Perspective on the wildlife industry of South Africa, and I did a presentation on PHASA’s perspective of the Policy.

Purpose of the Draft Policy and explanations regarding the Process:
Jaco explained that the Policy would only serve as an internal policy within their department and therefore have to be in detail so as to give the necessary guidelines to the person on the ground implementing it. He explained that the necessity for the policy was because they received many complaints on the old (1990) policy, which did not support the industry’s needs as far as the massive growth in the industry, job creation, tourism and hunting were concerned. He also stressed the importance of transparency and the industry to approve the document.
He confirmed that the Policy document has not been signed off and was not implemented yet and apologised for the confusion caused by the first page of the document which created the impression that it has been implemented already.
He expressed the wish that one of the outcomes of the workshop would be to establish a platform/forum between Cape Nature and the industry as a process to take policy and other issues forward to, with the co-responsibility from industry.

Way Forward:
In order to find a workable solution on all the issues raised during the course of the day and to demonstrate the intent by Cape Nature to signal their willingness to work together with the industry, the CEO, Ms Meyer, promised that the permitting system will be addressed urgently. Furthermore, the following were agreed upon:
1.    J  Van Deventer will summarise all comments received on the document, and Cape Nature’s responses thereto within 2 weeks, to identify fundamental problems as per the comments submitted.
2.    By Monday, 7 June, a process/system will be implement whereby applicants can expect a rapid response (48 hours) from the permit offices on applications related to the 5 common species:
Eland, Hartebeest, Springbuck, Burchell Zebra (special veterinary conditions) and Buffalo (certain special conditions)
3.    The game industry and translocators will take responsibility to ensure that the animals are legally in the region sources form and the suitability of the destination.
Legal origin – by law, the owner need to be in possession of the permit to transport, or by lack thereof give an affidavit.
In the case of CAE, the person will be the legal owner.
4.    There need to be communication regarding specific other issues, eg bontebok and neighbouring blesbok, Cape Nature undertook to respond quickly to queries.
5.    Cape Nature will consider a proposal whereby, if the Department process the renewal of a CAE in time, a provisional certificate be issued until the certificate can be issued.
6.    A working group was appointed with representatives from all sectors of the industry. The task of the working group would be to give their input in order to ensure that the Western Cape has a workable policy in place. It was clear that the tweaking of the current document is not acceptable, but that Cape Nature and the industry, through the working group, will find a way forward in line with legislation and international accepted principles. The working group will report back to the CEO by end of July
Peter Butland and Ralph Koster will represent PHASA on the working group.

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