Charles Hall - Conservation and Hunting Paradox

Charles Hall is Nature Reserve Superintendent in the Northern Cape of South Africa. He has a BSc in Animal Physiology and Honours, in Nature Conservation both from Stellenbosch Uni.

He has also served as Game Ranger, Ecologist, professional guide and hunter. Currently he is responsible for the breeding and welfare of several rare species (Sable, Roan Antelope and Cape Buffalo). He is a man at home in the bush and is deeply connected to the land. More recently, he has been involved in educational projects helping local schools and communities re-connect to Nature allowing them to experience the full value of the Natural environment. It’s through these endeavours of Sustainable Use principles and education, that we see his drive and passion to ensure conservation of our natural heritage.
High value species: Animals have a monetary value either for trophy and/or meat. This is related to the scarcity of the animal. The change to the South African law in 1991 legalising private ownership of wildlife has resulted in flourishing of wildlife, often in stark contrast to countries where this is banned, where numbers have plummeted.  Breeding programmes mean that diversity of the genome is ensured while increasing animal numbers. Bloodlines are recorded for many generations to prevent inbreeding and weakening of the herd and a ratio of around 30 females to 1 bull is maintained. While animals roam freely, farms are fenced. So, depending on the size of the property, feed and minerals may need to be supplemented particularly in the cold dry winters. Artificial insemination is not viable at this point in time. Only 3-5% of a herd will be of trophy value. These are usually males with their more impressive horns and hide. Previously value was in the females for reproduction purposes. This resulted in heavy investment in game farming which has dwindled after this boom period. Hunting by foreigners brings in significant revenue, not only for the hunt but the added value to tourism is significant. Game farming contributes USD 438 million annually to the economy. While tourism in South Africa's National Parks generates USD$120 million annually. 

35% of the SA population is unemployed, natural resources of fauna and flora are under increasing pressure for both food (poaching) and fuel (trees for heating and cooking) Many in rural areas don’t have access to electricity and those that do, are increasingly affected by load shedding (daily electricity rationing) as the National Energy provider Eskom has been under invested and mismanaged for 25 years.

Some consider hunting to be cruel. The notion of killing an animal just for its horns to be hung on a wall in a foreign country, seems justifiably abhorrent to many. Yet, Charles makes the point to meat eaters, that a wild animal shot on the land will very often have less stress and suffering than an animal transported to and slaughtered at, an abattoir would. The second challenge is the simple fact that millions of South Africans are undernourished and their daily challenge is to put food on the plate for themselves and their children. Something not easily grasped by those sitting at home with full bellies everyday. It is this balancing of the needs

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