Agriculture
Wildlife under the hammer this weekend─── SABRINA DEAN 18:22 Wed, 08 Apr 2015
Bloemfontein - The Free State is scheduled to host its first ever wildlife breeder specific auction later in the year during which game breeders will have access to a handpicked selection of quality buffalo and sable antelope.
This is in addition to the annual game auction, during which more than 2000 animals will come under the hammer at the Willem Pretorius Nature Reserve this weekend.
Acting chief director for conservation in the Free State, Thabang Selemela, says plans are two host two auctions annually going forward:
'Thabang Selemela - future plans'
The breeders’ auction takes place end May at a venue still to be confirmed.
Meanwhile Selemela says the provincial game auction, presented by the Department of Economic, Small Business Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs, has been hosted for twenty years with two main purposes - namely wildlife population management and as an economic development tool:
'Thabang Selemela - purpose of auction'
Selemela says the department raised R13-million rand last year through game sales, adding the province's game is worth about R50-million.
The auction this weekend is open to the public and there will also be numerous sporting activities and entertainment on offer.
Sabrina Dean/OFM News
'Thabang Selemela - future plans':
'Thabang Selemela - purpose of the auction':