Wildlife farming

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PURPORTED BENEFITS:
– Wildlife farming can protect endangered species from extinction by reducing poaching pressure.
– Some argue it may harm most conservation efforts, except for select species.
– Certain African communities rely on bushmeat for animal protein.
– Bushmeat not handled properly spreads diseases.
– Wildlife farming can provide processed bushmeat, reducing disease spread.

ASSOCIATED RISKS:
– Wildlife farming linked to zoonotic diseases like SARs from farming civets.

CURRENT STATE OF THE INDUSTRY:
– South Africa has seen massive growth in wildlife ranching.
– Issues arise due to lack of regulations in wildlife ranching.
– 33 wild species reclassified as farm animals in South Africa.
– COVID-19 pandemic led to closure of 20,000 wildlife farms in China.
– Chinese government valued wildlife farming industry at 520bn yuan in 2017.

SEE ALSO:
– Livestock

REFERENCES:
– Damania, Richard; Bulte, Erwin H. (2007). The economics of wildlife farming.
– P, Chardonnet; B, des Clers; J, Fischer; R, Gerhold; F, Jori; F, Lamarque (Apr 2002). The Value of Wildlife.
– Tensen, Laura (2016-04-01). Under what circumstances can wildlife farming benefit species conservation?
– Conniff, Richard (2016-08-30). Wildlife Farming: Does It Help Or Hurt Threatened Species?
– Ntiamoa-Baidu, Yaa (1997). Direct contribution of wildlife to food security.

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