NEW HORIZONS FOR THE WILDLIFE FARMING INDUSTRY.

‘’At the end of possibly the most successful and vibrant trading year in the wildlife industry, Its time to take a step back, draw a breath and marvel at what has been achieved. New investors, together with the existing industry leaders in respect of game farmers, have spent hundreds of Millions of Rands on purchasing animals of various species, this in an effort to hopefully preserve the genetics of some of the most iconic animal species in Africa. Highest prices were paid for Buffalo, Sable and Roan antelope as well as what are known as ‘’colour variants’’ like Black Impala, Golden Wildebeest and Red Gemsbok/Oryx, to name but a few. Although under enormous pressure due to the poaching activity currently rife in Southern Africa, White Rhino held their prices well where they were sold and in some instances even archieved new S.A. record sale prices. This is surely an indication that the wildlife farmer is not ready to turn their backs on this persecuted species but to the contrary is making every effort to ‘’save the species’’ by actively farming and protecting Rhino to the best of his ability.

Trophy sized animals have become highly sought after by game breeders throughout the country, who are building up herds of meticulously cared for ‘’super stock’’ which is made up of animals of prime genetics and condition, this in an effort to enlarge the depleted gene pools of these animals, due to excessive hunting and lack of attention to natural attrition through old age and natural mortality, breeding programmes have been implemented with a view to sustainable progression of increasing quality of specific species. Demand has exceeded supply for these top breeding animals, which has inevitably pushed selling prices to new and in a lot of cases record heights.  Investors see very attractive returns for their money, with comparisons to the JSE indicating Sable and Buffalo stock over the past three years yielding returns anything between 25% and 45% more.

Some of the most jaw dropping per head sale prices achieved in 2013 were for:

White Heartwater Springbuck – R25.000.00.
Zambian Sable Antelope cow with calf – R2.3 Million.
Red Zebra mare – R550.000.00.
Roan Antelope cow with calf – R660.000.00.
Roan antelope bull – R1.4 Million.
Livingstone Eland heifer – R890.000.00.
Nyala family group – per head R42.000.00.
Black Impala ewe – R380.000.00.
Black backed Impala – R900.000.00.
Golden Wildebeest heifer – R500.000.00.
East African Buffalo heifer – R3.4 Million.
Bontebok –R60.000.00
Red Oryx Bull – R4 Million.
White Rhino Cow – R560.000.00.
Young Buffalo bull (4years) – R22.5 Million.
And last but by no means least, was a mature adult Buffalo bull which sold for R40 Million!
Besides the prices above, a new world record for the highest turnover ever recorded at a wildlife auction sale, was attained at the Thaba Tholo auction sale in Thabazimbi of R233.179.000.00.

A somewhat sad note saw the farewell of the father of South African wildlife auctions, Mr Willie Roux, who officially retired from the rostrum after 41 years of auctioneering and 49 years at the same company Vleissentraal. We all wish ‘’Oom Willie’’ a very relaxing and healthy retirement.

Here’s trusting that the forthcoming trading year of 2014, will follow similar trends to those of 2013 and that the wildlife  and associated industries will continue to add strength and contribute to the economic growth to our economy.’’



Julian Freimond
Director - Wildlife