The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutClinton News-Record, 1978-10-05, Page 23• • • 1 13th year —No. 4( r Thursday, October 5, 1978 Second section Loca couple on African Safari Game management benefits all Steve and Rosemarie Cooke recently returned from methods came into play. an African Safari in the Tuli block of Botswana. A Techniques were devised which enabled the lan- safari in the Hemmingway style is a dream for many downer to obtain an accurate estimate of current people and this particular trip was highlighted when populations of the different species and their rate of Rosemarie bagged a 23 3/8 inch Impala which will find reproduction. Carrying capacities of the land were a place in Roland Ward's Record Book of African formulated and from this, the number of animals that Game, and Steve followed suit with a Greater Kudu could be cropped to ensure maximum production was whose horns measured 53 one-half inches, determined. The cookes reported that safari life was very Hunting is the method used to remove the surplus comfortable even though it was a tent camp. The animals which benefits the landowner the most. When Botswana winter gave them dry, warm days with a hunter shoots an Impala, a trophy fee of ap- temperatures in the high 70's and 80's (Fahrenheit) proximately $70 is paid to the farmer. Two Impala and nights of 40 degrees F. The quality of cooking by shot by hunters are, therefore, worth more than a the camp chef was on par with a good restaurant and cattle beast to the farmer. What is even more im- the meat (mostly wild game) tasted like that of grass portant, is that the Impala represent no capital outlay fed beef. Laundry was done every day and com- on the part of the farmer. Impala thrive and flourish fortable bathing and toilet facilities were provided. on the poorer sections of the farm where even cattle One of the aspects they both commented on was the have difficulty making a go of it, and with the near almost total absence of flies and mosquitoes (there absence of natural predators and high reproductive were a few around the" towns and cattle herds) and the rate, they are a rapidly renewable crop. They are also open plain -like nature of the country. Too many people relatively free of diseases which sometimes decimate think of Africa only in terms of steaming jungles, but cattle. • the southern area consists mainly of scrub and Periodically, a census is taken and professional thornbush covered grasslands. hunters are called in to reduce the herds to their op - In the following article, Steve explains the system of timum level. In these cases, the professional hunters game management used in Botswana which is will crop anywhere from 500 to 2,000 animals to modelled in part after the programs in Rhodesia and prevent over grazing and the subsequent starvation that would follow. These animals are butchered in the field, and the meat quickly finds its way to but- chershops in major cities and the kitchens of restaurants in Europe. A premium price is paid for this meat and signs in butcher shops often advertise fresh Springbok, Impala or Wildebeest meat for sale. The hides and horns are salted and cured, and in turn sold to the Botswana management procedures. Development Corp. where they are turned into Wildlife Management (Botswana) (Pty.) Ltd. is the. decorative skins and horn implements for sale to firm we booked our safari through, and is engaged in tourists, developing management programs for private far- A program such as this, when properly monitered mers as well as the Botswana Government. Ian could insure the availability of big game hunting for Manning, the proprietor of the cbmpany is a keen generations to come. It would be inevitable, however, wildlife biologist who received part of his schooling at that as demands rose, costs to hunters would rise also. , a.Nov_a Scotia University. Tudor Howard -Davis, who.. Unfortunately, the political climate of Africa is so. was our professional hunter on the trip, is a former unstable that experts agree that 5 to 7 years will see British Army' Officer and one of the best wildlife the end of big game hunting in the Dark Continent. management men in Africa. Tudor was at one time an Urban sprawl will play a big part in the decline of elephant control officer in Wankie National Park game. The past few years, however, show that this is Rhodesia and pioneered and developed the Impala not the major factor. and Wildebeest cropping techniques now used As African dations gain their independence, the throughout Botswana. protein starved people systematically snare and trap ,,In. order to understand cropping ,techniolgesone the animals; into near extinction. Private landowners must first have a good--tmdertandlieo wYi rs ra 1fo>r"-ced-AO---sell " out---attd` elVeiif hdir'-t�vv pii�va happening to game in Africa. When cattle ranching - became a big industry in the southern part of Africa, all out war was declared on the large predators. This resulted in the virtual extinction of lions and cape hunting dogs, and a great reduction in the number of hyenas. Leopard, being basically a more elusive animal by nature, however, is still fairly abundant. As the predators decreased, herds of game in farming areas increased to the point of competing with cattle for food. Game was also being driven off "tribal lands" by heavy hunting and trapping pressures into the farming areas. It was during this tansitional period that it was realized that the game could in fact be managed as a viable second resource rather than become a pest. This is where Tudor, with his previous Rhodesian experience and a firm understanding of South African South Africa. By Steve Cooke Ever since I started reading about the exploits of men like Baker, Selous and Bell, I have harboured a secret dream of going to Africa on a safari. This summer, that dream finally came true. I came home with a lifetime of memories, some new concepts and perceptions and a complete new view of game sanctuaries (each farmer sets aside a block of the best game producing area on his farm and declares it a non -hunting sanctuary to insure the continued propagation of game) are decimated. Unfortunately, I cannot see any change in this movement and have to agree that the days of hunting in Africa are numbered. I do feel, however, that the wildlife people in this country could learn much from the management programs in Africa. Our severe winters are a limiting factor which would have to be dealt with, but the basic concept is good. If the landowner could expect some return from the wildlife on his property, perhaps that brushy corner would not be cleared, or that swampy bit not drained and we too in Canada would be able tolsee and enjoy a large number of different species on aday's drive. Rosemarie Cc examines some old stone fortifications on top of a kopjle (rock outcrop) while the vast African savannah stretches out behind. "YOUR ONE STOP GLASS AND TRIM CENTRE" WE SPECIALIZE IN : - . GLASS — AUTO & TRUCK GLASS CAMPER WINDOWS VAN WINDOWS CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT VAN ROOF VENTS TRIM — COMPLETE AUTO UPHOLSTERY PIN STRIPING VINYL ROOFS BODY SIDE MOULDINGS INSURANCE CLAIMS FREE MOBILE SERVICE ON GLASS tan Asa. GLASS A11111 I' ' 1 HE GLASSM N Of CANADA" 356 BAYFIEtit)-ROAD, GObEf ICHPHONE 524.2136 r .♦ Steve, Rosemarie, Tudor Howard -Davis and Torontonian, John Mayer discuss the results of their day's hunt at their camp on the banks of the Limpopo River. (note high water mark on the tree) Steve Cooke examines his trophy Greater Kudu while professional hunter, Tudor Howard -Davis and tracker, M'Poo look on. SALE PRICED AT C'HARGEx 111111111111111 VISA itk\ �R DRESSES Group of fall Dresses, including some long dresses offered at savings from 25% to 50% off our regular prices. Reg. from 40 to $155 SALE PRICED AT $20 to $7750 0 0 • OVER 300 PIECES SPORTSWEAR LARGE group -several different fabrics and makers. Includes pants, skirts, vests, jackets, shirts, sweaters, etc. Our regular prices were '19.00 to '&5.00 X12.00 master charge .a X48,00 OPEN ALL DAY WEDNESDAYS OPEN FRIDAYS TILL 9 P.M. , SHOPPE LIMITED SNAPPERS SQUARE GODERICH 4