1. Wildlife Biological Resource & Training Centre (WBRTC) - Proposal
Dr TC Nangammbi (PhD Zoology), Fulbright Scholar
Department of Nature Conservation
(TUT)

2. Background
South Africa conservation efforts to date:
3rd most biological diverse country in the world (Brazil & Indonesia)
<1% of global surface area
10% of global plants, fish & bird diversity
7% of mammal & reptile diversity

3. Background (Cont.) Surface area under conservation
Official protected area – 6.1%
Private game ranches – 16% ( ha)
Total number of game ranches
9 000 with 6330 exempted (National Agricultural Marketing Council, 2006)
89 in Gauteng (Reilly et al. 2003)

4. Game Ranching Industry in SA: Biodiversity contribution
Private Game farm Conservation
More game animals in SA today than anytime since 1950 ( head of game in SA)
Massive contribution to threatened spp.
Rhino (40% in private land)
Sable antelope (90%)
Disease-free Buffalo (90% - 60,000)
Roan antelope (>90% )
Converted >28 m ha from marginal agricultural land to a sustainable green economy

5. Why Wildlife Biological Resource & Training Centre?
Increase demand from the GRI for up-to-date support in genetic analysis.
Massive increase in illegal wildlife trade and an increase demand for forensic investigations (e.g. Rhino DNA Indexing System).
Increase demand for the securing of samples derived from high-value animals.
Great demand for the breeding of high-value wildlife species.
Increasing demand for trained personnel in the fields of Biobanking, DNA profiling & Reproductive biotechnology (students & field rangers) = Employment opportunities.

6. Aims of the Proposed Project
Save, bank and use reproductive tissue and DNA from high-value wildlife species as a service to the fast expanding wildlife industry in South Africa, by: 1) Saving sperm, embryos and DNA from live or recently dead high-value animals. High-value game animals include: Sable antelope, Buffalo, Rhinoceros, Roan Antelope, White-flanked impala, Black impala, Golden wildebeest etc. 2) Maintain tissue in a ‘live’ state in the biobank (Liquid Nitrogen refrigerators), for use now and into the future.

7. Aims of the Proposed Project (Cont.)
3) Use ‘thawed’ frozen tissue to produce high-value offspring.
4) Genetically characterise high-value animals through DNA profiles (similar to DNA Fingerprinting in humans).
5) Bank DNA and other tissue useful for contributing to Biotechnology Development and Biodiversity Conservation (sperm, blood, egg shells, feathers, serum, embryos, hair, horn, fat, muscles etc.)

8. Biobank & DNA profiling
SA is in need of a Central Biobank – service the public (Local, Provincial & National Conservation Agencies, SANParks, SANBI, Conservation NGO’s) & private sector (Commercial wildlife breeders & farmers).
Individual high-value animal (e.g. R40 m Buffalo) may die unexpectedly and through reproductive biotechnology may retain their potential to continue breeding through Assisted Reproductive Technology (e.g. artificial insemination & embryo transfer).
WBRTC will provide the breeder with a reproductive tissue banking enterprise.

9. Biobank & DNA profiling cont.
Wildlife industry also requires breeders to characterise each high-value animals through DNA profiling (DNA bar-coding, Auction purposes).
Core to the industry is selective breeding – where physical traits are selected.
Breeding programs use DNA profiling to avoid inbreeding or to maximize diversity.
Decades of trophy hunting has severely impacted the quality of animals with superior trophy traits such as horn size and body weight.

10. Capacity Building & Training
WBRTC will provide In-service training/WIL opportunities to students who are doing Diplomas & Degrees in Game Ranch Management/Wildlife Management/Nature Conservation/Molecular Genetics/Veterinary Science/Ecotourism.
Students will obtain knowledge, skills & experience in biobanking – samples collection, processing and storage of wildlife animals.
Students will obtain knowledge, skills & experience in DNA profiling/bar- coding protocols such as DNA extraction, Gel Electrophoresis, Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), DNA Sequencing, Data analysis.

11. Employment Opportunities
WBRTC will employ people with the following skills & knowledge:
Graduates with Diplomas/Degrees in Wildlife/Game Ranch/Nature Conservation/Molecular Genetics/Veterinary science/Ecotourism
Laboratory / Research technicians = [Biobank; Extraction; PCR; ABI Sequencer; Data Analysis
Field Data Capture
Administrators
Facility Manger etc.

12. Wildlife Industry Transformation
Presently, the wildlife ranching industry is mainly dominated by old, white & male game farmers.
Well-known wildlife game farmers & breeders – Cyril Ramaphosa (President), Johanna Rupert (SA billionaire), Norman Adami (ex- CEO SA breweries), Jacques Malan (Stud Breeders Ass.).
Lack of participation from young, black & female game farmers or breeders (Black students enrolment numbers in the GRM field).

13. Wildlife Industry Transformation
WBRTC – headed by young, black, female & academic (over 15yrs teaching & research experience in Wildlife Management/Game Ranch Management/Nature Conservation/Ecotourism Management/Molecular Genetics.
Dr Nangammbi – transfer knowledge & skills (wildlife farming & breeding technologies), encourage young, female, black people to participate in game farming (WBRTC: Create Awareness Program).
Dr Nangammbi – Accredited Curriculum Developer (PG Dip. Higher Edu.).

14. THANK YOU