Blog | WRSA

5 days ago1 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.

6 days ago11 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.

Sep 296 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.

Sep 121 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

Sep 27 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

Aug 203 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

Jul 3010 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.

Jul 251 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.

Mar 271 min read

Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) Outbreak Protocols in KZN

We are regretfully once again faced with regulations that restrict the movement of animals, animal carcasses and products into and out of the KZN Disease Management Area (DMA)

Mar 101 min read

AFRICAN ARMYWORM OUTBREAK

An outbreak of African armyworm (Spodoptera exempta) has been reported in Limpopo and surrounding areas, including Groblersdal, Carolina, Badplaas, Pretoria North, and Bronkhorstspruit.

Feb 251 min read

Jackal Hunting/ Night Shooting by Dedicated Hunters

The below letters were received by Agri-EC regarding the permit application process following queries on dedicated hunters for the night shooting of problem animals and/or Jackal Hunting for call-and-shoot with DEDEAT concerning certain scenarios.

Feb 191 min read

ARC-OVR Temporarily Suspends Brucellosis Testing for Buffalo and Wildlife

With ARC-OVR’s suspension of brucellosis serology testing for buffalo and other wildlife species effective 1 February 2025, WRSA has stepped in to ensure our members are not left without a solution for the anticipated 6 months suspension.

Feb 101 min read

Two significant legislative changes have recently been enacted that may have far-reaching implications for wildlife ranchers and the broader agricultural sector. Below is a brief summary of the Expropriation Act, 2024 and the Preservation and Development of Agricultural Land Act, 2024, both of which were recently signed into law by the President.

URGENT NOTICE: NEW LEGISLATION AFFECTING WILDLIFE RANCHERS

Two significant legislative changes have recently been enacted that may have far-reaching implications for wildlife ranchers and the broader agricultural sector.

Jan 312 min read

URGENT NOTICE: COMMENT ON THE DRAFT NATIONAL ELEPHANT HERITAGE STRATEGY

The Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment (DFFE) has released the Draft National Elephant Heritage Strategy (2024-2034) for public consultation.

Jan 312 min read

CONTINUED ADMINISTRATIVE FAILURES PLAGUE DEPARTMENT

WRSA TAKES LEGAL ACTION AGAINST MINISTER OVER THE CONTINUED ADMINISTRATIVE FAILURE TO SET ANNUAL QUOTAS FOR AFRICAN ELEPHANT, BLACK RHINOCEROS, AND LEOPARD