Publications
This collection includes research by AWEI Fellows and others as well as resources relevant to Africa's wildlife economy.
If you are interested in contributing to AWEI's research - as a researcher, partner or sponsor - please do contact us.
Featured publications
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Implications of the African Continental Free Trade Area for Trade and Biodiversity: Policy and Regulatory Recommendations
/awei/sites/default/files/2021-UNCTAD-Biotrade-ACFTA-Biodiversity.pdfA targeted approach under the AfCFTA could thus foster intra-African trade in biological resources and derived value added products and services, while conserving globally significant biodiversity, furthering mitigation of and adaptation to climate change, and improving livelihoods...This study reviews the potential implications of, and opportunities presented by the AfCFTA for legal and sustainable trade in biodiversity/BioTrade and access and benefit-sharing (ABS).
UNCTAD Biotrade Initiative (2021). Implications of the African Continental Free Trade Area for Trade and Biodiversity: Policy and Regulatory Recommendations. UNCTAD/DITC/TED/INF/2021/3.
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HLP Report – A Summary of the Vision, Principles, Goals, and Recommendations
/awei/sites/default/files/2021-AWEI-HLPReportSummary.pdf"High Level Panel Report – 15 December 2020 – A Summary of the Vision, Principles, Goals, and Recommendations
Prepared by the African Wildlife Economy Institute in partnership with Oppenheimer Generations Research and Conservation
July 2021
THE HIGH-LEVEL PANEL OF EXPERTS FOR THE REVIEW OF POLICIES, LEGISLATION AND PRACTICES ON MATTERS OF ELEPHANT, LION, LEOPARD AND RHINOCEROS MANAGEMENT, BREEDING, HUNTING, TRADE AND HANDLING
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Draft Policy Position
/awei/sites/default/files/2021-DFFE-DraftPolicyPosition.pdfDraft Policy Position on the Conservation and Ecologically Sustainable Use of Elephant, Lion, Leopard and Rhinoceros
DFFE - 28 June 2021
Comments were invited by the Minister before the end of July 2021.
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Sessional Paper No.1 of 2020 on Wildlife Policy
/awei/sites/default/files/2020-KenyaWildlifePolicySessionalPaper.pdfThis policy is a statement of government intent, which prescribes a broad range of principles, measures and actions to be pursued to achieve a sustainable wildlife management in Kenya that enhances benefits and stakeholder engagement.
Sessional Paper No.1 of 2020 on Wildlife Policy, Kenya Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife, June 2020.
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The African Continental Free Trade Area: A tralac guide
/awei/sites/default/files/220-AfCFTA-TRALAC-Guide.pdf"This booklet provides a handy guide on the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and how it fits within Africa’s broader development agenda – the architecture of the AfCFTA Agreement, what the Agreement covers, institutional arrangements, committees and other AfCFTA initiatives. The booklet also offers an overview of intra-African (based on available data for 26 countries to end August 2020) and intra-REC trade in goods (agricultural trade, trade in commodities, non-commodity and non-agriculture trade), intra-African tariffs and MFN tariffs on key intra-African imports, and trade in services and trade facilitation performance.
The African Continental Free Trade Area: A tralac guide | 7th edition - tralac trade law centre
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Wild assumptions? Questioning simplistic narratives about consumer preferences for wildlife products
/awei/sites/default/files/2020-WildAssumptions-WildlifeProducts.pdfAmy HinsleyMr Michael 't Sas-RolfesWith increasing attention being paid to the growing challenges associated with the illegal wildlife trade, it is vital that we do not jump to inappropriate conclusions on the best way to address it—this includes avoiding simplistic assessments of the conservation impacts of wildlife farming.
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Hinsley, A, 't Sas‐Rolfes, M. Wild assumptions? Questioning simplistic narratives about consumer preferences for wildlife products. People Nat. 2020; 00: 1– 8. https://doi.org/10.1002/pan3.10099
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Impact Assessment of COVID-19 on the South African Ranching Industry
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Collection, Consumption, and Sale of Lusala (Dioscorea hirtiflora)
/awei/sites/default/files/2019-CollectionConsumptionSaleLusala.pdfCollection, Consumption, and Sale of Lusala (Dioscorea hirtiflora)—a Wild Yam—by Rural Households in Southern Province, Zambia
Dioscorea hirtiflora Benth is an indigenous wild edible tuberous climbing plant native to Zambia. Known as lusala, the tubers are sold in markets across southern Zambia. Lusala collection, consumption, and trade were investigated through interviews with rural households (four districts) and market traders (three towns), and supplementary focus group discussions... Lusala collected from forests is an important edible wild tuber in the local economy of the Southern Province of Zambia; it provides a seasonally important food supply and income to rural households and supplies demand for urban populations.
Donald Zulu, Richard H. Ellis & Alastair Culham. (2019). Collection, Consumption, and Sale of Lusala (Dioscorea hirtiflora)—a Wild Yam—by Rural Households in Southern Province, Zambia. Economic Botany volume 73, pages47–63 (2019).
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Increase Success and Effectiveness of Mangrove Conservation Investment
/awei/sites/default/files/2018_WWF-IUCN_AGuideToMangroveInvestments.pdfDr Francis VorhiesInvesting in mangroves can result in a number of environmental and social benefits including revenue back to investors, such as those engaged in fisheries, the carbon market or tourism. Yet despite the increased recognition of value derived from mangrove forests, these ecosystems are still being degraded, lost, or poorly restored.
The report includes case studies from Kenya and Madagascar.
Flint, R., D. Herr, F. Vorhies and J. R. Smith 2018. Increasing success and effectiveness of mangrove conservation investments: A guide for project developers, donors and investors. IUCN, Geneva, Switzerland, and WWF Germany, Berlin, Germany.
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WILD LIFE, WILD LIVELIHOODS: Involving Communities in Sustainable Wildlife Management and Combating Illegal Wildlife Trade
/awei/sites/default/files/2017_WILD%20LIFE_WILD%20LIVELIHOODS_CommunityWildlifeManagement.pdfThis report responds to Resolution 2/14 passed at the second meeting of the United Nations Environment Assembly in May 2016, calling for “...an analysis of international best practices with regard to involving local communities in wildlife management as an approach to addressing the unsustainable use of and illegal trade in wildlife and wildlife products[...]”.
The report summarizes insights from decades of research on community wildlife management, and draws lessons from new analyses focused specifically on engaging Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs) in combating the illegal trade in wildlife (ITW). Based on a recognition of the importance of community “voice” in enabling sustainable and effective outcomes, it goes on to survey the opportunities and constraints for IPLCs in terms of their participation in key international policy forums that influence wildlife management (specifically, the Convention on Biological Diversity; the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora; the Convention on Migratory Species; the United Nations Environment Assembly; and the Inter-governmental Panel on Biodiversity and EcosystemServices).Cooney, R., Roe, D., Dublin, H. and Booker, F. (2018) Wild Life, Wild Livelihoods: Involving Communities in Sustainable Wildlife Management and Combatting the Illegal Wildlife Trade. United Nations Environment Programme, Nairobi, Kenya
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South Africa – Timbavati Balancing Tourism and Hunting Revenue to Ensure Sustainable Contribution to Conservation
/awei/sites/default/files/2018_TimbavatiBalancingTourismAndHuntingRevenue.pdfFor the past few years, the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve – home to both of our Tanda Tula camps – has been facing a dilemma. In the Greater Kruger, poaching has shown no signs of abating, wildlife crime syndicates are becoming increasingly ruthless, and reserve security costs have continued to soar – 850% in the last five years, to be exact. We have become increasingly aware that this situation is not sustainable, and for some years now, we have been exploring leverage points. Where could the much-needed revenue be generated?
Since the idea behind sustainable utilisation is for it to be just that – sustainable – increasing hunting quotas to boost income is simply not an option. Using the same logic, increasing revenue by adding too many commercial beds in the Timbavati would also be unsustainable.Scott, D., 2018. Opinion: Timbavati increases conservation levy to fund anti-poaching and other costs. Africa Geographic
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Rhinoceros ownership and attitudes towards legalization of global horn trade within South Africa's private wildlife sector
/awei/sites/default/files/2018_RhinocerosOwnershipAndAttitudesTowardsHornTradeLegalization.pdfThe authors surveyed 169 members of the South African private wildlife ranching industry to understand: (1) ranchers’ motivations for owning or not owning rhinos, (2) how rhino ownership affects ranchers’ income and operations, and (3) the attitudes of wildlife industry members towards legalization of global rhino horn trade.
Rubino, E., & Pienaar, E. (2018). Rhinoceros ownership and attitudes towards legalization of global horn trade within South Africa's private wildlife sector. Oryx, 54(2), 244-251. doi:10.1017/S0030605318000030
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Principles and Practices of Sustainable Use and Sustainable Harvesting
/awei/sites/default/files/2018_PrinciplesAndPracticesOfSustainableUseAndHarvesting.pdfIt has been estimated that around one-fifth of the global plant species are under threat category, and more animal and plant species are pushed towards threat category in developing countries. This report contributes to the Twenty-Second Meeting of Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (SBSTTA 22) of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).
Deepa G.B., Jagannatha Rao R., Suresh H.M., Arthur Selwyn Mark & Balakrishna Pisupati. (2018), Principles and Practices of Sustainable Use and Sustainable Harvesting. TDU and FLEDGE, India.
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The Nairobi Statement of Intent on Advancing the Global Sustainable Blue Economy
/awei/sites/default/files/2018_NairobiStatementofIntentAdvancingGlobalSustainableBlueEconomy.pdfInspired by the unique global opportunity to build greater prosperity for all while protecting these water resources for the present and future generations, over 18,000 participants... had strategic conversations during the first ever global conference on the sustainable blue economy held in Nairobi, Kenya from 26th to 28th November, 2018...
With collective determination, and building on efforts at the local, national and international levels, the global community can intensify investments and harness the full potential of the oceans, seas, lakes and rivers to accelerate economic growth, create jobs and to fight poverty. Simultaneously, the world can improve the health of the oceans, seas, lakes, and rivers and the ecosystems they support which are under increased threats and in decline in many countries and regions across the globe.UN Environment Programme, 2018. The Nairobi Statement of Intent on Advancing the Global Sustainable Blue Economy. IISD.
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Correcting for the Inconveniences of Cultivation: Foraging as a Food Source in Southwestern Burkina Faso
/awei/sites/default/files/Correcting%20for%20the%20Inconveniences%20of%20Cultivation-%20Foraging%20as%20a%20Food%20Source%20in%20Southwestern%20Burkina%20Faso.pdfMalnutrition is an important public health issue in Burkina Faso where 30 % of children are underweight for their age and 92% suffer from iron deficiency. Such statistics indicate that there is a significant lack of adequate nutrition in the country. With approximately 80% of the population employed in the agricultural sector, development projects have focused on increasing agricultural production and commercializing output to ameliorate poor nutrition. However, this strategy ignores the importance of local knowledge and food traditions, most notably by neglecting to acknowledge foraging as a significant source of food.
To address this concern, I seek to understand how commercialization impacts foraging practices, which other factors are correlated with use of foraging and what macro- and micronutrients are available through foraged foods. I will use data collected through structured surveys on the use of foraging, demographics, and nutrition. These were performed with approximately 150 female rice farmers from five different villages near the city of Bobo Dioulasso. Statistical analysis will be used to assess the relationship between foraged food consumption and commercialization, as well as other demographic variables. Preliminary results suggest foraged foods play a large role in daily diets, though there are many means through which they are accessed. Additionally, rice commercialization projects do not appear to have influenced foraging practices, though certain other demographic factors play a more significant role on foraging practices.
Morgan, Julia Deryn, "Correcting for the Inconveniences of Cultivation: Foraging as a Food Source in Southwestern Burkina Faso" (2018). Geography Honors Projects. 55. https://digitalcommons.macalester.edu/geography_honors/55
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Wildlife Economy Workshop Report: The contribution of wildlife ranching to conservation and development ‒ assessing the contribution and the role of governance
/awei/sites/default/files/2017_WildllifeEconomyWorkshopReport.pdfThe 2017 Wildlife Economy Workshop focused on two specific themes identified in the earlier workshop including the contribution of wildlife ranching to conservation and development, and the role of governance in ensuring this contribution.
This workshop led to the development and establishment of the African Wildlife Economy Institute at Stellenbosch University.
Wildlife Ranching South Africa & Earthmind (2017). Wildlife Economy Workshop Report: The contribution of wildlife ranching to conservation and development ‒ assessing the contribution and the role of governance.
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A Marketing & Spending Analysis of Trophy Hunters
/awei/sites/default/files/2017_MarketingAndSpendingAnalysisOfTrophyHunters.pdfIt has been argued that trophy hunting generates millions of rands, which strongly contributes to South Africa’s economy in revenue. Recent literature regarding this industry lacks, especially regarding the economic impact as well as the profile of these hunters. As a result, TREES (Tourism Research in Economic Environs and Society), in cooperation with PHASA (Professional Hunters of South Africa) decided to research the trophy hunting industry in South Africa, thereby filling a gap in the literature of this very large industry.
Van Der Merwe, P. (2017). A Marketing & Spending Analysis of Trophy Hunters. Tourism Research in Economic Environs and Society
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From Market Hunting to Hunting Markets: A Property Rights Approach
/awei/sites/default/files/2017_FromMarketHuntingtoHuntingMarkets.pdfThe purpose of this paper is to explore the origin of two very different conservation models; to debunk the myth that the NAMWC is based on the public trust doctrine; to show how animals and habitat are inputs into the production of the hunting experience; to emphasize that confusing market hunting with hunting markets and thus concluding that the hunting experience should not be privatized or monetized breaks the value chain necessary for wildlife conservation in conjunction with private lands.
Anderson T.L., DeNault J.&J., Dunn W.A., (2017). From Market Hunting to Hunting Markets: A Property Rights Approach. Pretoria, South Africa.
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Applying a conceptual framework to rhinoceros conservation on private lands in South Africa
/awei/sites/default/files/2017-RhinoConservationOnPrivateLands.pdf"This paper applies a conceptual framework to the issue of rhino conservation on private lands in South Africa. The framework (1) visually illustrates the political and economic complexity of rhino conservation; (2) reveals how financial decision-making drives rhino conservation among private landowners; and (3) demonstrates how the costs that poaching imposes on private landowners (e.g., security costs) undermines their willingness to conserve rhinos on their land.
Rubino, Elena & Pienaar, Elizabeth. (2017). Applying a conceptual framework to rhinoceros conservation on private lands in South Africa. Endangered Species Research. 34. 89-102. 10.3354/esr00844.
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Attaining sustainable use on private game ranching lands in South Africa
/awei/sites/default/files/2017-SustainableUseOnPrivateGameRanching.pdfThis paper tests the assumption that the increased transition of lands to game ranching equates to net conservation gains in terms of habitat management and biodiversity conservation.
Pienaar, Elizabeth & Rubino, Elena & Saayman, Melville & van der Merwe, Petrus. (2017). Attaining Sustainable Use on Private Game Ranching Lands in South Africa. Land Use Policy. 65. 176-185. 10.1016/j.landusepol.2017.04.005.
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The Contribution of Wildlife to the Economies of Sub Saharan Africa
/awei/sites/default/files/2017-TheContributionOfWildlifeToTheEconomiesofSubSaharanAfrica.pdfTo what extent does wildlife contribute to the economies of Sub Saharan Africa, through tourism, legal trade and consumptive use (legal hunting)?
Roz Price (2017). The Contribution of Wildlife to the Economies of Sub Saharan Africa.
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Demand in Viet Nam for Rhinoceros Horn used in Traditional Medicine
/awei/sites/default/files/2017-DemandVietNamRhinocerosHorn_0.pdfThis study aims to understand better the demand for traditional medicine and more contemporary health-related reasons, collectively referred to as ATM in this report, in Viet Nam.
MacMillan, D., Bozzola, M., Hanley, N., Kasterine, A. & Sheremet, O. (2017). Demand in Viet Nam for rhino horn used in traditional medicine, International Trade Centre, Geneva, Switzerland.
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Wild Trade Voluntary Standards Analysis Report
/awei/sites/default/files/2016-WildTradeVoluntaryStandardsAnalysisReport.pdfThis paper seeks to evaluate the FairWild Standard, Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification, Friend of the Sea Certification Program, Marine Stewardship Council Standards and Friend for Life Social and Fair Trade Certification Programme.
Tan Yi Lan Grace (2016). Wild Trade Voluntary Standards Analysis Report.
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Complementary benefits of tourism and hunting to communal conservancies in Namibia
/awei/sites/default/files/2016-ComplementaryBenefitsOfTourismAndHuntingToCommunalConservanciesInNamibia.pdfTourism and hunting both generate significant revenues for communities and private operators in Africa, but few studies have quantitatively examined the tradeoffs and synergies that may result from these two activities. Disaggregation of data reveals the main benefits of hunting are income for conservancy management and meat to the community at large, while the majority of tourism benefits are salaried jobs at lodges.
Naidoo R, Weaver LC, Diggle RW, Matongo G, Stuart-Hill G, Thouless C. (2016). Complementary benefits of tourism and hunting to communal conservancies in Namibia. Conserv Biol. 2016;30(3):628-638. doi:10.1111/cobi.12643
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In a complex and changing world, AWEI generates strategic ideas, conducts independent analysis on wildlife economies, and collaborates with global scholar-practitioners to provide training and expertise for biodiversity conservation, climate resilience, and inclusive economic opportunities in Africa.
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In a complex and changing world, AWEI generates strategic ideas, conducts independent analysis on wildlife economies, and collaborates with global scholar-practitioners to provide training and expertise for biodiversity conservation, climate resilience, and inclusive economic opportunities in Africa.