Hunters raise cash to train conservationists

Hunting and nature conservation are getting together.

The Professional Hunters` Association (PHASA) has launched a project to train experts to work in conservation privately and in government.

President Stewart Dorrington says well-trained wildlife managers in the private and public sector are essential to preserving South Africa`s wildlife heritage.

“PHASA wants to ensure that our country has the expertise in wildlife management to carry on with the high standards set in the past.

“Responsibility will rest (on them) to service the private sector and give sound advice, and it is also these people who will have to take the lead in future in the running of our national parks and wildlife areas.”

Dorrington said all conservation in South Africa would suffer if the education system could not deliver these managers and specialists.

For this reason the association is raising funds for internationally recognised bursaries of R50 000 each for selected students to study Wildlife Management at the Southern African Wildlife College at Hoedspruit.

The college is jointly administered and funded by WWF-SA and the Peace Parks Foundation.

A gala evening last week raised R680 000 for this cause.

Cathy Thompson, The Citizen