African Wildlife and Environment Issue 70

GENERAL

greater than 100 000 hectares will survive, while the smaller areas will disappear. The African Parks model will be crucial for the continued existence of many wild places on the continent. GENERAL

1. Law enforcement; 2. Biodiversity conservation; 3. Community development; 4. Tourism and enterprise; and 5. Management and infrastructure. There are more than 1 200 protected areas in Africa, but Peter told us that they face a conservation crisis, driven by the following: 1. High value of wild commodities (ivory, rhino horn); 2. Need for protein; 3. Need for energy; 4. Need for alternative land; 5. Expanding populations; and 6. Poor governance. He predicts that perhaps 100 to 200 protected areas

EDITORIAL

Dr John Ledger

I recently enjoyed the privilege of attending the Ninth Annual Oppenheimer-De Beers Group Research Conference in Johannesburg. These two day meetings have gained a reputation for being extremely diverse and interesting, and the 2018 gathering was no exception. The first objective is to provide a platform for researchers to share the outcomes of a range of projects supported by Oppenheimer Generations and De Beers group and mainly conducted on their properties. The second is to provide an opportunity for students and researchers to present their findings to a diverse audience of academics, students and environmental managers, as well as members of the media. Properties include the Tswalu Kalahari Reserve, Telperion and Ezemvelo Nature Reserves in Mpumalanga, Venetia Game Reserve in Limpopo, Benfontein in the Northern Cape, Orapa Game Park in Botswana, Debshan Ranch in Zimbabwe and several others. Projects reported on included Pygmy Falcons, branchiopod crustaceans in the Kalahari after rain, ants and termites, the African Grass Owl, butterfly fauna, pangolins, Sociable Weavers, frog biodiversity, monkey beetles, Tiger fish and numerous other subjects. The presentation that really grabbed my attention was the opening Keynote Address by Peter Fearnhead, CEO of African Parks, Perspectives on Conservation in Africa . Peter, a graduate of Natal and Oxford Universities, worked at South Africa’s National Parks Board (now SANParks) along with the late Dr Anthony Hall Martin, one of South Africa’s most distinguished conservationists. Anthony had the foresight to realise that a pragmatic new model was required to address the looming conservation crisis in many parts of Africa. Together with several others, Anthony founded the African Parks Management and Finance Company in 2000. They approached the government of Malawi and offered to run the Liwonde National Park, but were turned down. However, three years later, they were offered Majete Nature Reserve, a state-owned protected area that had been allowed to run down completely to a wasteland without wildlife. African Parks signed a 25 year agreement with government

to take full responsibility for the management of Majete, and over 15 years a miraculous recovery has been achieved: • More than 2 500 animals have been reintroduced including Black Rhino, elephant, lion, leopard, Sable Antelope, impala and buffalo. Majete is now a 'Big Five' reserve, and a premier wildlife destination. • By 2017, the elephant population had grown to over 430 individuals resulting in the translocation of 200 individuals to Nkhotakota to help repopulate that reserve. • Effective law enforcement and close community engagement have resulted in a significant decline in poaching. Not one rhino or elephant was poached since 2003. • Employment has risen more than ten-fold at Majete sinceAfricanParks assumedmanagement. • The local economy has been transformed by creating economic opportunities and provisioning of services through the construction of infrastructure, including schools, clinics and safe roads. • Over 9 000 tourists visiting the park in 2017, a 14% increase from 2016, generating more than US$550 000 in revenue in 2017. • In 2014 a state-of-the-art malaria research and prevention centre was constructed in Majete with the goal of reducing malaria by 80% in surrounding communities by 2018. • A scholarship programme has been set up to provide school fees for local children who otherwise may not have had the opportunity to attend school. Since this historic success, African Parks has grown steadily and today manages 10.5 million hectares, comprising 15 parks in nine countries and employs 2 500 members of staff. Readers should visit their excellent web site at https://www.africanparks.org to find out more about this remarkable organisation, based in Johannesburg. In his inspiring presentation, Peter stressed that governments are responsible for creating policies and regulations, while African Parks establishes a Board of Directors for each park and signs a 25 year lease agreement. Each protected area depends on five pillars for its ultimate success:

Dr John Ledger Consulting Editor john.ledger@wol.co.za

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