Outpost Game Breeders snags rancher trophy

A CRADOCK wildlife breeding and bow-hunting enterprise has been named the Eastern Cape Wildlife Rancher of the Year.

Outpost Game Breeders received the award last week at a gala ceremony at the Fish River Sun, hosted by the Eastern Cape branch of Wildlife Ranching South Africa (WRSA-EC).

Outpost takes over the provincial title from Arthur Rudman’s Sundays River Valleybased Blaauwkrantz Safaris – which went on to win the national WRSA award in March.

Situated between Cradock and Tarkastad, Outpost farms 30 species of game – from sable antelope, roan and nyala to mountain zebra and buffalo.

While some 95% of the animals bred there are sold through the domestic wildlife industry, the 6 000ha property is also marketed as a high-end bow hunting venue.

Most of the visiting hunters were from the US, Outpost co-director of operations John Ayliff said yesterday.

Outpost benefited conservation as it extended the habitat for species like mountain zebra and bontebok, Ayliff said.

On the breeding side, a DNA tracking system with a database of the breeding stock had been established.

Outpost employs 14 people besides the three couples who manage the property.

“We’ve only been going three years, so our win was a great surprise,” Ayliff said.

Other winners are: Warren Rieger – Benghoil Private Reserve (best newcomer), Emmanuel Nel – Kwandwe Signature Wildlife (young rancher of the year), John Rance – Kei River Reserve (sustainable development) and Rob Hobson – Swartrivier Wildlife (best herd).