Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife considers hunting for cash

Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife is considering allowing hunters to hunt in the province's wildlife reserve to raise extra money, according to a report.

The Mercury newspaper reported on Thursday that the conservation body's chief executive Bandile Mkhize confirmed to the provincial parliament last week they were investigating the proposal to have more animals killed by paying hunters, instead of resorting to culling by wildlife managers.

Mkhize said hunting generally produced more revenue than culling or selling live animals.

Selling meat from an impala culled by wildlife managers would fetch about R518, compared to R807 if the animal was sold alive at auction.

A foreign hunter would be charged R1 500 to kill it, and a local hunter R650.

Foreign hunters could expect to pay about R9 000 per nyala. The animal would cost R4 300 on auction, and its meat R880.

Foreign hunters would pay about R10 000 to shoot an eland, local hunters about R6 500. It would fetch around R6 000 at auction, and its meat R3 400.

Ezemvelo already had three controlled hunting areas -- Mkhuze, Phongolo and Spioenkop.