Although mixed land use refers to any number of different land uses, for this discussion we are looking at the combination of wildlife and livestock. Many people argue that livestock farming should be completely separate from wildlife conservation. While others argue that they can successfully co-exist. There are arguments that the combination of land uses builds financial resilience, and others that say that the conservation impacts can be negative in the long-run and that financial imperatives will often act to prioritize commercial livestock activities over conservation. This discussion will look at the advantages and associated challenges of mixed wildlife-livestock systems from different perspectives.
Our moderator for this debate is Dr. Holly Dublin
Dr Holly Dublin is a Senior Advisor to IUCN ESARO and Maliasili, a Senior Associate of the International Institute for Environment & Development (IIED), on the Steering Committee of IUCN Sustainable Use and Livelihoods (SULi) Specialist Group and an adviser to communities, African governments, organizations and investors on conservation practice, financing and policy, at all levels.
Holly was also, the longstanding former Chair of the IUCN African Elephant Specialist Group for almost 30 years and an elected Chair of the IUCN Species Survival Commission serving on IUCN's Governing Council.
Participants:
Tom Silvester CEO of Loisaba Conservancy, Kenya
Tom Silvester is an entrepreneur, rancher and tourism operator with a degree in Agriculture from the University of Edinburgh. Since 1992, he has been working on a large scale tourism, ranching and conservation project in Northern Kenya. He founded Loisaba in 1998, and since then has seen it change from a simple ranch to a successful conservancy. As the CEO, he is responsible for a labour force of over 250, between two- and three- thousand head of livestock, security, wildlife conservation, maintenance of infrastructure and the implementation of new projects contributing to research and conservation. He also provides support to neighbouring communities in the way of health and education programmes and grazing plans for their livestock, and has a proven track record in creating and managing a successful, high-end tourism and conservation business catering to the international market.
Max Makuvise Director, Shangani Holistic, Zimbabwe
Max Makuvise (Zimbabwe) is a cattleman with 25 years of experience in the industry. An accountant by training, he has embarked on many projects involving rural communities; genetic improvement; training; product supply and traceability, which has seen him partner with the donor community, government and other private sector players. His quest? To empower rural livestock farmers and help them commercialise their operations through the ‘Conception to Consumption’ principle together with Holistic Practices. Max is Resident Director for Shangani Holistic (Pvt) Ltd which has over 7,000 cattle under holistic management with no internal fences and wildlife roaming freely on the Ranch. Shangani has a strong research arm on the Ranch and in Johannesburg that works on finding solutions for the ranch and smallholder farmers, as well as integrating cattle and wildlife management on the same property. Main goal, in short: “leaving the world a better place”.
Dr Stephen Ngulu Veterinarian at Ol Pejeta Conservancy, Kenya
Strategic and highly efficient wildlife management professional with an academic background in Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary epidemiology, public health and Business administration. He has over 10 years of extensive experience in planning, implementing, monitoring and evaluation of wildlife health and population projects and programs within and beyond his areas of operation as well as staff management and capacity building.
