Is Stellenbosch University Adopting a Dangerous One-Sided Approach to Wildlife Conservation?

“In a letter addressed to the Chancellor and Vice-Chancellor of Stellenbosch University, as well as to the Minister of the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment (DFFE), a collaborative group of wildlife NGOs, the Wildlife Animal Protection Forum of South Africa (WAPFSA), have cautioned that Stellenbosch University will be seen as championing biased consumptive-use policies that have done little to address the decline in wildlife and community upliftment. 

WAPFSA are also concerned that the DFFE likewise appears to be adopting the one-sided policy on scaling up the commercialisation and consumptive use of wildlife by actively collaborating with the SCI. 

This, says the group, is setting a dangerous precedent that will almost certainly result in wildlife populations crossing those tipping points in Southern Africa. WAPFSA stated: “As a world-class academic institution, Stellenbosch University ought to be rigorously examining all sides of wildlife conservation and, in particular, to fundamentally address the rapid decline in wildlife and natural spaces as well as the well-being of rural communities. That the university is attending closed-door meetings with government officials and SCI to effect policy without the broad spectrum of stakeholders in the conservation arena shows a lack of essential impartiality.” 

Dr Adam Cruise, is a wildlife journalist and author with a focus on unveiling the intricacies of the wildlife trade and unethical hunting practises, he has written an opinion piece on this subject matter.

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https://www0.sun.ac.za/awei/events/2024-10/african-wildlife-consultative-forum

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