Discourses of Predator Persecution under Livestock and Game Farming, and its Implications for Conservation in South Africa
Dr. Tariro Kamuti, Postdoctoral fellow, in the Global Risk Governance programme, is undertaking research with the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) into predator persecution.
Persecution of predators is rampant in areas surrounding livestock and private wildlife ranches (game farms). This is a topical issue in contemporary biodiversity conservation narratives around South Africa pitting various stakeholders against each other mainly based on the predator control method.
Hunters and livestock owners have historically reacted violently towards predators, seen as competitors as they kill livestock or valuable ungulate wildlife. Game farmers who rear predator animals find themselves in conflict with neighbouring stock farmers or other game farmers because it is difficult to confine predator animals to the game farm. This research focuses on the discourses surrounding predator persecution and explores the implications for biodiversity conservation.
Drawing on data generated from a systematic review of secondary sources, in-depth interviews and quantitative assessment of perceptions of wildlife industry experts, wildlife ranchers, and government officials the research seeks to unpack the intractable debates of predator persecution in South Africa.
Recent publications by Tariro Kamuti:
Kamuti, T. 2018. “If It Pays It Stays”: The Lobby for Private Wildlife Ranching in South Africa. In: Gewald, J.B., M.J. Spierenburg and Wels, H. (eds.). Wildlife Conservation in Southern Africa - Morality and Marginality: Towards Sentient Conservation? Leiden: Brill NV. Pp 167-188.
Kamuti, T. 2018. The Radical Challenge of Illegal Hunting on Privately Owned Wildlife Ranches in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Proceedings of the Biennial Conference of the Society of South African Geographers, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein (1 - 5 October 2018). ISBN: 978-0-86886-852-3.
Kamuti, T. 2018. Intricacies of Game Farming and Outstanding Land Restitution Claims in the Gongolo Area of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. In: Brandt, B. and G. Mkodzongi (eds.). Land Reform Revisited: Democracy, State Making and Agrarian Transformation in Post-Apartheid South Africa. Leiden: Brill NV. pp.124-148. https://brill.com/abstract/title/33331?rskey=CPdBay&result=1
Kamuti, T. 2017. The Changing Geography of Wildlife Conservation: Perspectives on Private Game Farming in Contemporary KwaZulu-Natal Province. New Contree: A Journal of Historical and Human Sciences for Southern Africa, 79. 39-64.
Press Release
#UFSAfricaWeek: Focus on Dr Tariro Kamuti
https://www.ufs.ac.za/templates/archive.aspx?news=10526&cat=1
Game Farming as a Lens to Analyse Challenges Facing Democratic South Africa
https://www.ufs.ac.za/templates/archive.aspx?news=10140&cat=1