The Sustainable Wildlife Economies Project: Evidence from South Africa’s wildlife ranches

The Sustainable Wildlife Economies Project (SWEP) provides evidence that wildlife ranching in South Africa contributes to ecological restoration, biodiversity conservation, and rural employment. Data collected from more than 300 wildlife ranches across the Eastern Cape and Limpopo show widespread investment in sustainable land management, high levels of retention of indigenous species, and meaningful socio-economic benefits.

The findings are relevant for policy debates on land use, biodiversity economy strategies, and rural development. They show how wildlife ranching can support conservation outcomes while also contributing to inclusive economic activity when supported by appropriate governance and market frameworks.

What is the Sustainable Wildlife Economies Project (SWEP)?

The Sustainable Wildlife Economies Project (SWEP) is a collaborative initiative between government, academia, and the private wildlife ranching sector. It investigates how wildlife-based land use and other sustainable wildlife economies in South Africa contribute to sustainable land management, socio-economic development, and biodiversity conservation. Research indicates that these sustainable wildlife economies contribute significantly to ecological restoration and often provide more jobs per hectare than traditional livestock farming.

To gather this data, the project employs and equips recent graduates through training and field deployment to conduct integrated surveys with private wildlife landholders. These surveys assess ecological restoration practices, biodiversity outcomes, and socio-economic dimensions. Between 2021 and 2022, SWEP deployed 100 graduates who completed nearly 300 surveys, covering over 1.2 million hectares (ha) of established and emerging wildlife operations across the Eastern Cape and Limpopo provinces.

What are the key findings of the SWEP report on wildlife ranching in South Africa?

Beyond building the next generation of conservation professionals, SWEP provides a robust evidence base to inform wildlife economy policies that align ecological sustainability with inclusive economic growth. The SWEP feedback report covers key findings from integrated surveys on wildlife-based land use and habitat restoration, biodiversity outcomes, and economic and social contributions.

Key results include:

• Habitat restoration: Wildlife ranches successfully transform degraded agricultural land into natural habitats. Notably, 97% of surveyed properties invest in sustainable land management, including erosion control, alien species removal, and veld restoration.

• Landscape connectivity: Around 47% of properties have expanded in size since establishment, and many have removed internal fences, thereby reconnecting previously fragmented natural landscapes (Figure 1).

  

• Biodiversity value: Wildlife ranches support high species richness, including threatened and large mammal species. About 76% of animals recorded were indigenous game, with minimal alien or listed Threatened or Protected Species (ToPS). Many properties host predators and mega-herbivores, demonstrating strong conservation value.

• Economic contributions: International hunting, game breeding, live sales, and ecotourism are major revenue sources. Game meat production and domestic hunting present growing opportunities (Figure 2).

  

  *International hunting includes standard and outfitters. Ecotourism includes both day and overnight visitors to surveyed (private) ranches. Livestock includes cattle, sheep and goats. Crops comprise both rainfed and irrigated cash crops, as well as fodder production and nursery.

• Socio-economic impact: The wildlife sector serves as a significant employer, providing more jobs per hectare than traditional livestock farming. These roles often include high proportions of permanent and female employment, alongside non-salary benefits such as housing, food, and training.

How does SWEP research influence wildlife economy policy and practice?

Ultimately, SWEP bridges science, policy, and practice. It generates the necessary evidence to support policy frameworks that align ecological sustainability with economic viability. The project has produced several peer-reviewed journal articles and media pieces to share results with landholders and policymakers.

Recent research outputs:

• Clements et al. (2022): Lessons from COVID-19 for wildlife ranching.
• Denner et al. (2024): The diverse socioeconomic contributions of wildlife ranching.
• Shwababa et al. (2025): Unlocking opportunities for land reform beneficiaries in the wildlife economy.

Get in touch

To learn more about SWEP and opportunities to collaborate, please contact Karlin Muller via email at karlin7muller@gmail.com.

References

Clements, H.S., Child, M.F., Lindeque, L., Lunderstedt, K. & de Vos, A., 2022, “Lessons from COVID-19 for wildlife ranching in a changing world,” Nature Sustainability, 5(12), 1040–1048.

Clements, H.S., de Vos, A. & Child, M.F., 2022, South Africa’s wildlife ranches can offer solutions to Africa’s growing conservation challenges, The Conversation.

Clements, H.S., de Vos, A. & Child, M.F., 2024, South Africa’s conservation model: why expanding the use of biodiversity to generate money is a good idea, The Conversation.

Denner, C., Clements, H.S., Child, M.F. & de Vos, A., 2024, “The diverse socioeconomic contributions of wildlife ranching,” Conservation Science and Practice, 6(7), e13166.

Shwababa, S., Child, M.F., de Vos, A., Mneno, N. & Clements, H.S., 2025, “Unlocking opportunities for meaningful participation of land reform beneficiaries in the wildlife economy,” Land Use Policy, 154, 107565.