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Wildlife is SA’s big conservation and economic opportunity.
In a recent Farmer’s Weekly feature, WRSA Director of Marketing Kgomotso Maphai explores why conservation and economic development do not have to be opposing forces and why South Africa’s wildlife economy represents an opportunity that extends far beyond tourism.
WRSA
4 days ago1 min read
WRSA Wins Quota Battle for Members and Wildlife Industry.
Wildlife Ranching South Africa (WRSA) welcomes the publication of South Africa’s 2026 and 2027 hunting and export quotas for African Elephant (loxodonta africana), Black Rhinoceros (diceros bicornis bicornis, diceros minor and diceros michaeli) and Leopard (panthera pardus) by the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, David Maynier, in the Government Gazette on Monday. The setting of the quotas follows a significant legal victory with costs for WRSA. WRSA was f
WRSA
Sep 64 min read
Biodiversity Ambitions Face Financing and Land-Use Realities
South Africa’s biodiversity finance gap, conservation partnerships and new policy direction took centre stage during the DFFE’s Biodiversity Day discussions.
WRSA
Jun 24 min read
Strong Tourism Recovery at National Stakeholder Forum
South Africa’s tourism sector has surpassed pre-pandemic performance, with more than 10 million international visitors recorded in 2025. WRSA says this is good news for wildlife ranchers.
WRSA
Mar 92 min read
Everything you need to know about FMD
Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) has become a major animal health crisis in South Africa. In the last year, the outbreak of this disease has spread across multiple provinces throughout the country. These outbreaks have caused many farmers to stress about their wildlife, livestock, and what the future might look like for their farming operations.
WRSA
Feb 114 min read
Wildlife Group - South African Veterinary Association 2026 Protocol on FMD Control
The current FMD outbreak poses a serious threat to game ranching, especially the disease-free buffalo sector. South Africa has 3,225 registered disease-free buffalo ranches, of which 51% are in the Limpopo Province, supporting over 75,000 buffalo worth around R16 billion.
WRSA
Feb 111 min read
There have been important updates regarding Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD).
Please note important updates regarding Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD).
WRSA
Feb 101 min read
The draft NEMBA Norms and Standards for OECMs (Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures)
The draft NEMBA Norms and Standards for OECMs (Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures) have been approved for publication for public comment.
The draft will be published in the Government Gazette and in two national newspapers, after which a 30-day public comment period will officially open.
WRSA
Feb 101 min read
FMD movement requirements for game in the North West Province:
With the ongoing Foot and Mouth Disease situation, we urgently ask all farmers to remain vigilant and to strictly implement preventative biosecurity measures.
WRSA
Jan 201 min read
Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen outlines the national strategy on Foot-and-Mouth disease containment
WRSA has been actively engaging with government, state vets and industry partners on this matter and will continue to represent the best interests of the wildlife sector as the strategy is implemented. T
WRSA
Jan 141 min read
High Court Rhino Horn Victory: A Legal Lifeline Unlocks Sustainable Funding for South Africa’s Rhinos
On 31 October 2025, the Northern Cape High Court in Kimberley delivered a landmark ruling that could reshape rhino conservation in South Africa.
WRSA
Nov 24, 20257 min read
Landmark Legal Victory for Rhino Conservation and Ethical Trade
Landmark Legal Victory for Rhino Conservation and Ethical Trade
WRSA
Oct 31, 20251 min read
The Tiny 10: South Africa’s most elusive antelopes - biology, hunting challenge and rural economic benefits
The “Tiny 10” are Africa’s smallest antelope species. For many South African hunters and
professional hunters they represent the ultimate small-game challenge: stealthy, alert, habitat-specialist animals that test skill, patience and local knowledge.
WRSA
Oct 30, 202511 min read
Sustainable Use: How Putting a Value on Wildlife Can Save It
It might sound like a paradox: to save a species, we must use it. This concept, known as “sustainable use,” is often misunderstood, sparking emotional debates filled with charged, misrepresentative images of hunters and endangered animals.
WRSA
Sep 29, 20256 min read
MINISTER GEORGE HIDES BEHIND COURT CASE TO EXCUSE HIS OWN FAILURE
WRSA has issued a press release in response to Minister Dion George’s misleading statement on CITES export quotas for Elephant, Black Rhino and Leopard hunting trophies.
WRSA
Sep 12, 20251 min read
Beyond the Bullet: Why Sustainable Trophy Hunting is Vital for South African Communities and Conservation
A recent study published in Biological Conservation (Vol 309, September 2025), amplified by various news outlets, claims widespread community rejection of trophy hunting near Kruger National Park (KNP) and suggests exploring alternative livelihoods. However, this research, seemingly rooted in animal rights ideology rather than robust conservation science or African socio-economic realities, paints a misleading picture of the complex relationship between rural communities, wil
WRSA
Sep 2, 20257 min read
WRSA STATEMENT ON THE ACQUITTAL OF MR. DEREK LEWITTON
ALL CHARGES DROPPED: COURT CONFIRMS NO EVIDENCE AGAINST SOUTH AFRICAN RHINO CONSERVATIONIST DEREK LEWITTON
WRSA
Aug 20, 20253 min read
Scapegoating Lead-Based Ammunition: Why Bullets Aren’t the Smoking Gun in Vulture Declines
The widespread decline of vulture populations across Africa has rightly become a significant conservation concern. While various anthropogenic threats contribute to this crisis, the narrative often points to lead-based ammunition as a primary culprit for unintended, secondary lead poisoning in these scavenging birds. However, an in-depth look at available evidence and arguments from stakeholders in South Africa suggests that this may not be the main source of mortality, and t
WRSA
Jul 30, 202510 min read
WRSA PRESS RELEASE: WILDLIFE RANCHERS SAY ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.
Wildlife Ranching South Africa (WRSA) has won a crucial legal victory against Environment Minister Dr Dion George in the Gauteng High Court, forcing the release of documents related to the Minister’s failure to issue national hunting quotas for 2024 and 2025. This inaction has crippled conservation, trade, and rural economies. The attached press release outlines the full story.
WRSA
Jul 25, 20251 min read
MEDIA RELEASE: WRSA CONDEMNS ANIMAL CRUELTY AT KLERKSDORP PREDATOR FACILITY
Wildlife Ranching South Africa (WRSA) strongly condemns the severe animal cruelty revealed in the NSPCA’s 26 March 2025 report on a tiger breeding facility in Klerksdorp.
WRSA
Mar 27, 20251 min read
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