About the Webmaster
My career in Nature Conservation started early in 1977 as a research assistant on project on the ecology of the black backed jackal (Canis mesomelas). The research was done under the umbrella of the former Transvaal Provincial Administration's Directorate of Nature Conservation. The bug bit and I have been involved in problem animal issues ever since. Both in governmental and private realms.
The Transvaal conservation department consisted of two sub-directorates: Management services, including the protected area management and law enforcement. Specialist services, including research, and other specialist aspects like Problem animal unit, game capture, flora, and integrated environmental management and extension. While the management services did the basic work of protecting our natural heritage, the specialists did the research to better our understanding of what we tried to do and bringing this to the public of South Africa.
The political changes in 1994 brought changes that might have been very positive in some aspects, but were very negative on nature conservation. On the macro scale, with trans-frontier parks in the public eye things might seem rosy, but on grass roots level conservation is almost non-existent. Budgets dried up and/or were diverted to other issues. The specialist services all but disappeared. The post that were not scrapped outright were so starved of budget and infrastructure that the personnel left out of frustration. Specialist knowledge disappeared, even aspects like permits and law enforcement is suffering under severe personnel shortage and lack of knowledge.
This is why some of the specialists are resurfacing to take up their roles in the management of our natural heritage from the private sector. Lots of very important conservation issues would otherwise simply be neglected or completely be ignored. This website is dedicated to one such a specialist field.
I have written a course on problem animal management and have presented this to numerous colleagues in conservation, farmers and other groups. An annual course for the 3rd year students at the Potchefstroom agricultural college has been running for over a decade. New and interesting developments from overseas research is screened and can mostly be adapted to our situation. This is one of the major tasks of a ADC specialist.
This web site was created to make people aware of conservation issues as well as becoming a resource for the farmer and any other person that gets into a problem animal situation.
Contact me at any time with suggestions about this site or to get information on problem animal control:
Thys de Wet
Cell: 0761290889