On the cOver

on the cover

The name ‘Bhekifa’ originates from Tswana, meaning ‘expected inheritance’.

Unyati purchased ‘Bhekifa’ on the Thaba Tholo auction in 2012. At the time ‘Bhekifa’ was the second buffalo bull measuring 50+"

to be sold on auction – ‘Tyson’ being the first. ‘Bhekifa’, as with most of the Thaba Tholo genetics, was spotted by chance in their extensive area.

The genetics of ‘Bhekifa’ will be available at the Wintershoek Private Game Reserve auction taking place on 22 June 2019. An opportunity not to be missed!

Wiaan van der Linde

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For more information, visit: http://wintershoekwild.com

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R55.00 (VAT incl)

SAFARI DESTINATION: SUSTAINABLE ECOTOURISM BENEFITS

issueECONOMICTHE

THE BIGGER PICTURE

ON THE BURDEN OF PROOF

LUCRATIVE GAME-MEAT

MARKET

COMPARISON OF LAND-USE FORMS

CITES TRADE

BAN

The cost of the

African buffalo (Syncerus caffer) breeding bull, ‘Bhekifa’.

‘Bhekifa’ (51+") was sold at the highest bid of the day for R8 million at the annual Thaba Tholo auction in 2012.

Beautiful ‘Bhekifa’

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Wintershoek has acquired the Unyati Private Game Reserve in 2018 and

we have changed the name to the Wintershoek Private Game Reserve for our ranching activities and Nyara Lodge for our hunting activities.

We are extremely excited about this new project. We are adopting the Thaba Tholo model of an

by Wiaan van der Linde

CREATING LEGENDARYWintershoek has made the decision to have two auctions this year. That may sound like a strange and bold decision in the difficult economic climate. We have always “played the game” and sold our animals at the current market value and we will keep on doing it. Making some of the best genetics available to our fellow game ranchers is one of our goals and our auctions are but one of the important avenues to achieve this.

Genetics

African buffalo (Syncerus caffer) breeding bull, ‘P1’.

ON AUCTION!

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extensive system with good numbers of all the species allowing them to roam free and grow up in a natural environment in their own time – we will keep 2 000 hectares out for selective breeding of the best genetics available.

Jaco Troskie, who first acquired the farm in 2007, shares the same vision – pure bloodlines and diverse gene pools creating legendary genetics. Jaco and his team have supported the industry in a big way by acquiring proven genetics from top game breeders. It is our goal to continue with this vision and make sure the respected genetics are well managed and looked after. >>

OFFSPRING ON AUCTION! Zambian sable (Hippotragus niger) breeding bull, ‘Alto’.

ON AUCTION! Roan (Hippotragus equinus)

breeding bull, ‘Platberg’.

Making some of the best genetics available to our fellow game ranchers is one of our goals and our auctions are but one of the important avenues to achieve this.

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OFFSPRING ON AUCTION! Zambian sable breeding bull,

‘Dionysus’ with breeding herd.

Some of the first 50" buffalo and sable were and are still breeding at Unyati, as well as one of the few 34"-plus roan bulls. I am referring to the buffalo bulls ‘Eltoro’ 51" and ‘Bhekifa’ 51", the Zambian sable bulls ‘Dionysus’ 51" and ‘Alto’ 52 5/8", and the roan bull ‘Kulu’ 34 4/8".

The buffalo herds were started with animals from Thaba Tholo, Bill Venter, Shambala, Nyumbu, Shelanti, Tembani, Hannes du Preez and Madikwe, to name but a few.

Some of the breeders we bought Zambian and west Zambian sables from, include Piet Warren, Tina de Jager, Piet du Toit, Sable Ranch, Dries Visser, Thaba Tholo and Barend Vorster.

The roan herds were built up from Tswalu, Sable Ranch, Julius Gers, Lee Canata, Nyumbu Game and Langberg.

The depth and genetic diversity of all these herds are amazing and we are excited to share this with the industry.

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The unfortunate quarantine situation and the ensuing court cases at Unyati in 2014 after the purchase of the buffalo bull at the 2011 Madikwe auction created a lot of negative publicity. I am aware of the perceptions regarding this in the industry and am extremely sensitive to that.

We have worked very hard and openly with our State Veterinary department to make sure everything is in order before we purchased Unyati as a going concern.

That is also the reason why we have included Prof. Michele Miller, Dr Wynard Goosen and the team at the Animal TB research programme at Stellenbosch University in the testing process. We will continue doing this in all future tests. We are confident that this research will be invaluable and hope it will soon be recognised on a governmental level as an important arm in national disease control. I do believe that this current research in now more sensitive and specific TB tests will be a game changer for our buffalo industry at a time of such general testing frustration. It is positive to see that some prominent veterinarians and buffalo breeders are now also taking part in this programme. >>

The depth and genetic diversity of all these herds are amazing and we are excited to share this with the industry.

ON AUCTION! Roan antelope breeding bull, ‘Troy’.

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African buffalo breeding bull, ‘UB408’.

I am absolutely certain and comfortable when I say there is no reason for concern for any possible buyer and that the health status of the buffalo on auction is above suspicion. It’s in our own best interest to make sure our biosecurity measures are reassuring because buffalo breeding is and will always be an important part of Wintershoek’s strategy. Please feel free to contact myself, Wiaan (082 454 5325), or Dr Emma Rambert (072 158 5017) if you have any questions or concerns.

Buffalo breeding is and will always be an important part of Wintershoek’s strategy.

ON AUCTION!

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All buffalo on auction will be tested at least twice (most three to four times) and all test results will be available to any potential buyer.

All animals on auction will come with a general health certificate signed off by Dr Emma Rambert and this will include a sonar certificate for pregnancy, DNA certificates, vaccination certificates and sables will be tested for BM. ■

Please call Lee @ +27 (0)83 4179837 or Joja @ +27 (0)53 2040038 to arrange your visit. We are excited to offer you an amazing spread of special animals.

INVITATION!The first annual

Wintershoek private game reserve auction will take

place on 22 June 2019 at the Wintershoek Auction venue. This will not be replacing the annual Wintershoek auction, but rather become a great

addition to the brand. We are inviting any

interested breeder to come and visit us – all animals will be in the auction camps by

the end of April.

ON AUCTION!

ON AUCTION!

African buffalo breeding bull, ‘UB403’ in the auction camp.

African buffalo breeding bull, ‘Etsebeth’.For more information, visit: http://wintershoekwild.com