The second annual Absa Wildlife Conference will be hosted in Kirkwood, Eastern Cape, on Friday, 1 July 2011. The conference is regarded as one of the flagship events on the Absa Kirkwood Wildsfees programme. The Absa Wildlife Conference aims to empower the private sector to invest in sustainable wildlife management strategies.
This year’s conference theme, “The Economy of Ecology”, endeavours to deliver a perspective on the financial value of conservation, biodiversity and responsible wildlife management. Content will range from global markets, weather patterns and biodiversity – the key factors impacting the state of wildlife in South Africa.
“The Absa Wildlife Conference will host a phenomenal panel of specialists and keynote speakers who will address ‘The Economy of Ecology’. The aim is to create a perspective for the year ahead and to explore the bottom line indicators that need to be considered for the sustainability of the industry,” said Willie Zastron, General Manager, Absa Business Bank, Eastern Cape.
“Absa’s commitment to the pillars of wildlife conservation, education and tourism associated with the Absa Kirkwood Wildsfees has prompted us to look deeper at how we can bring more to the festival’s objectives and to promote responsible wildlife management,” said Zastron.
Topics that will be discussed by a panel of subject matter experts will cover among others, pertinent issues in the private sector, game ranching and eco-tourism industries.
“Students, managers, administrators and consultants in the industry are also encouraged to attend as they will benefit from the discussions at this year’s conference,” said Zastron.
He said that the Absa Wildlife Conference also aims to become the region’s premier annual gathering of the wildlife and natural resource sector experts as it facilitates a platform for exchanging ideas between the private sector, opinion leaders and institutions.
Absa’s Head of Agribusiness, Ernst Janovsky, will address the issue of financial risk assessment while a highlight on the programme will include a keynote address by the award-winning author of Ecological Intelligence, Dr Ian McCallum. McCallum, a medical doctor, psychiatrist and analytical psychologist, has spent the last ten years travelling Africa and his thought-provoking insight on the animal-human interface promises to generate great interest.
Climate change and environmental issues related to global weather patterns, is a critical concern when considering agricultural, livestock and game strategies. Well-known author, TV Presenter and weather-man, Simon Gear, will be providing delegates with a view on global weather patterns and what South African wildlife ranchers and farmers should prepare for in the future.
Delegate registration has opened and can be completed online by visiting the conference website on www.absa-wildlifeconference.co.za. The website also features more information on the programme content and speakers.
Another flagship event taking place at the Absa Kirkwood Wildsfees, is the Eastern Cape’s largest wildlife auction which will be held on Saturday, 2 July, on the festival grounds (www.wildsfees.co.za).
Editors Notes: If you intend to stay overnight in Kirkwood at the Wildsfees or the Wildlife Conference you had better pick and choose from the Available Accommodation in Addo as the Kirkwood accommodation is all full
Alan Straton
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