The Covid-19 global pandemic has had a massive impact on the income generation models of businesses globally, with local and international Safari tourism being the hardest hit. The Somkhanda Community Game Reserve has not been spared. Fortunately, the reserve does not only depend solely on Safari tourism but has also developed their game ranching to generate income through the sale of Game Meat. To date, this has been done locally to support the communities surrounding Somkhanda, addressing the food security and malnutrition issues of over 200 families, since the national lockdown was declared.
Linked to this, WILDLANDS (a programme of the WILDTRUST) has recently partnered with Bosveld Game Meat and KZN Game Meat™ to drive a sustainable Wildlife Economy model through the sale of protein rich Game Meat from the Somkhanda Community Game Reserve to a wider market. Globally, the Wildlife Economy is seen as a key component in addressing issues such as food security and malnutrition and transitioning the country towards a sustainable Green Economy. The income generated will support sustainable conservation and community development as the reserve provides protection for critically endangered wildlife and creates jobs for local people, employed both at the reserve and the neighbouring game ranch where the meat is processed.
“Offtakes for game meat sales are scientifically determined as part of our ecological management plan, aimed at conserving the habitat and health of our game on the reserve. Especially with winter coming it is important that we decrease game numbers to prevent starvation from drought,” comments Meiring Prinsloo, Somkhanda Reserve Manager. “Based on the ecological management recommendations of the reserve, this opportunity was recognised as one of the most sustainable finance generating strategies to assist the reserve in earning the much-needed funds to drive operations and fill the gaps,” Prinsloo added.
Ultimately, the beneficiaries of this partnership are the local community and the Somkhanda Community Game Reserve, which can then effectively and efficiently carry out its vast conservation activities. All the partners involved are committed to ensuring the success of this model and call on the public to show their support for this critical work by buying this product, initially available throughout the KZN province. Our local Hilton and Howick community can find their healthy free-range meat at Pick n Pay Fairways Mall and Biltong Barn at the Quarry Shopping Centre.
https://web.facebook.com/KZN-Game-Meat-106755381016172/ or info@kzngamebreeders.co.za
To further maximise the potential income in support of the management efforts to conserve this wild space and everything in it, the public can pre-order game hides including Zebra, Nyala, Impala and Blue Wildebeest. Funds generated through these sales will be directly invested into the reserve and its conservation efforts.
To place your Game Meat order and / or the hides, please contact Janinedp@wildtrust.co.za or call 082 326 2000 and you can directly contribute and promote responsible and ethical use of our collective natural resources. You can also contact Brian Pain of KZN Game Meat on 082 956 2288.
Visit our social media pages to view the latest promotional offers on FB and Instagram soon.
https://www.instagram.com/somkhanda_eco_tourism/
WILDTRUST (registered as the Wildlands Conservation Trust - IT No: 4329/1991/PMB)