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Modimolle, 21 May 2022 – The Wildlife Rancher of the Year award is conferred annually on wildlife ranchers and serves to honour their pioneering spirit and outstanding effort, innovation, and commitment to the enhancement of the wildlife industry. The 2019 award has been delayed due to COVID-19, because the health restrictions prevented judges from visiting all the nominated ranches within the judging period. This year, WRSA and the judges have decided to complete the 2019 process and award the deserving rancher before starting a new cycle.
The categories in which candidates can be nominated has been amended during 2019 and will align with the four pillars of the South African wildlife industry namely hunting, breeding, eco-tourism, and wildlife products.
The categories and the respective criteria are:
Game Breeder:
The candidate must
- be a role-model and be involved in the industry;
- have a successful and self-sustaining farm;
- be involved with research;
- have excellent record keeping and effective herd and veld management;
- practice and promote improved breeding results; and
- provide the market with sought after animals of high quality.
- have a higher weight for proven breeding results
- Social responsibility
Hunting establishment (Local and international)
The candidate must
- be a role-model and be involved in the industry;
- Must be registered outfitter.
- Must be the owner of the land where hunting operation is run from.
- Must have proven track record of satisfied clients
- Member of relevant international and local hunting organisations.
- have a successful and self-sustaining farm, with strong focus on sustainable use, fair chase, acceptable practises and professional media liaison on promotion.
- promote conservation through sustainable utilisation and education.
- place strong emphasis on economic returns in all facets of his venture and strive toward an optimal value chain.
- Social responsibility in terms of skills development, food security and meat distribution, education of especially surrounding communities.
- Social responsibility
Tourism product
The candidate must
- be a role-model and be involved in the industry;
- have a successful and self-sustaining farm, with strong focus on sustainable eco tourism for local and international market.
- Must be TGCSA graded establishment.
- Diversity in product and activity offering must carry weight.
- Area of operation must be taken into consideration.
- promote conservation;
- place strong emphasis on economic returns in all facets of his venture and strive toward an optimal value chain
- Social responsibility
Establishment with best utilisation of products
The candidate must
- be a role-model and be involved in the industry;
- have a successful and self-sustaining farm, with strong focus on sustainable use of all the resources and opportunities on the farm in terms of products; meat, skins, horns, bones, wood, curios etc.
- promote conservation;
- place strong emphasis on economic returns in all facets of his venture and strive toward an optimal value chain.
- Social responsibility
2022 Wildlife Rancher of the Year nominees
- Barry Badenhorst – Knapdaar Boerdery (North West)
- Neil Barnard – Neil Barnard Safaris (Limpopo)
- Abel Erasmus – Otterskloof (Free State)
- Khomani San – Erin Game Ranch (Northern Cape)
- Karel Landman – Pongola Private Game Reserve (KZN)
- Nonkqubela Mayatula – Miarestate Spa & Hotel (Eastern Cape)
- Warne Rippon – Buffalo Kloof (Eastern Cape)
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