BRIDGES FOR PUPILS

Reclassifying some wildlife species as farm animals is contentious, writes Sheree Bega

THE government’s controversial decision to reclassify several South African wildlife species as farm animals is a risk to the country’s biodiversity heritage, as enshrined in the Constitution.

In a hard-hitting rebuke published in the latest edition of the SA Journal of Science, a team of wildlife scientists and conservationists argue that domesticated varieties of wildlife will “represent a novel, genetic pollution threat to SA’S indigenous wildlife that will be virtually impossible to prevent or reverse”.

The Government Gazette of May 17, amended Table 7 of the Animal Improvement Act, which lists breeds of animals, to include at least 32 new wild animal species, including 24 indigenous mammals, such as lion and zebra.

“The list includes threatened and rare species such as cheetah, white and black rhino and suni. Some alien species, such as lechwe, various deer species and rabbits are also included,” note the authors in their paper, The Implications of the Reclassification of South African Wildlife Species as Farm Animals.

The cornerstone of the original act is, “to provide for the breeding, identification and utilisation of genetically superior animals to improve the production and performance of animals in the interest of the Republic”.

“By declaring these wild animals as landrace breeds, the act implies they are locally developed breeds,” the authors state. “The act typically provides for landrace breeds to be bred and ‘genetically improved’ to obtain superior domesticated animals with enhanced production and performance ... Animals declared as landrace breeds can also be used for genetic manipulation, embryo harvesting, in-vitro fertilisation and embryo transfers.”

But the recent amendment is “flawed” to include indigenous species of wildlife.

The new law will not improve the genetics of the species listed “but will have considerable negative genetic consequences and pose ecological and economic risks”.

“This amendment was seemingly processed without any public participation or consultation and without the knowledge of the national and provincial conservation organisations which, together with the Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries, are responsible for the protection of all wildlife/game species in SA.”

The listed species are also covered by other legislation that potentially clashes with the new legislation.

The genetic consequences of intensive or semi-intensive breeding (farming) of wildlife species are “negative and considerable”, they state.

“Genetic diversity is the fundamental basis of diversity within species and

THERE might be light at the end of the tunnel for Kwazulu-natal pupils who brave rivers daily to make it to school and back.

ICYMI

| IOL.CO.ZA

THEMBI the Cheetah lives among the game rangers at the Tshukudu Bush Camp in Limpopo. Her mother was killed by lions and she was thus raised by humans. I was greeted by her purring at my cabin door most mornings asking for a bit of human affection. Although Thembi tolerates the visitors at the bush camp, she remains a wild animal that hunts for her own food. | Armand Hough African News Agency (ANA)