ANIMAL DAMAGE CONTROL INSTITUTE (ADCI)

The ADCI is an organization that conducts Research, Developent, Training and Facilitatets on the human/animal conflict interface. Best Management Practices (BMP) are developed to solve the conflicts, thereby unnecessary killing of animals and unethical practices in Animal Damage Control (ADC) can be stopped.

It has a multi-disciplinary approach and liaise and coordinate to combine the powers and expertise of, among others, the government (nature conservation authority & agricultural authority), Production organizations like the National Wool Growers Association (NGWA) and Red Meat Producers Organization (RMPO); Agricultural Interest Groups (NGOs); Academic Institutions; Private Animal Control Operators and various other Private Enterprises, like suppliers of control equipment, to effectively reduce the losses caused by problem animals by means of ecologically and ethically acceptable methods. Contact with overseas counterparts will also be maintained.

The control of invertebrate “pests” is a big industry that function in both the public and private sector on a large scale. However the control of vertebrate animal damage differ vastly form that of invertebrates. This specialized field has been neglected in South Africa and needs to be structured and upgraded to a professional field of operation.

FUNCTIONS

• Develop and submit policy guidelines that would have bearing on the activities of the government, farmers, wildlife damage control organizations, individuals and other entrepreneurs in agriculture.
• Serve as a communication forum between all stakeholders mainly by offering an internet website with discussion groups where free speech will be encouraged.
• Training of Animal Damage Control operators, whether they are private businesses or the farmer and his staff.
• Publish as series of “field guide” booklets on Best Management Practices for Animal Damage Control.
• Act as facilitator to try and remove obstacles which prevent producers from effectively protecting their livelihood, while keeping to internationally accepted conservation principles.
• Have a multi-sectoral approach, in both the public and private sectors to facilitate between as wide a range of expertise as needed to best achieve our aims. Including experts in the fields of:
  • Conservation
  • Toxicology
  • Animal behavior
  • Livestock management
  • ADC
  • Education
  • Media
• Develop specific strategies under practical conditions for:
  • Research and development
  • Application of damage control
  • Education and Training
• Secure funding for the above activities

RESPONSIBILITIES

LANDOWNER: In the fauna – rich environment of Southern Africa, conflict between animals and farming practices is an inherent risk where wild animals still occur in agricultural settings. Eliminating losses form vertebrate animals is part of the practice of production and the primary responsibility rests with the landowner/producer.

GOVERNMENT: Tax moneys can only be applied to the benefit and interest of the community as a whole. Food production is of national interest, but the government cannot be expected to support individual farmers. The Support has to be to the food and textile production industries as such and should include support to research and the establishment of ADC organizations and training. Regulating ADC in all its facets is another major function. However nothing is done at this stage.

PRIVATE SECTOR: The government is currently not fulfilling its traditional role as described above. Incalculable damage may be inflicted on our environment because of this. The involvement of the private sector therefore has become a top priority.

CODE OF CONDUCT

Problem animal control is often severely criticized by the public as cruel and unjustified. However the process of producing food and wool in countries where natural wildlife still occur widely often leads to the process being harmed by interference by wild animals. To keep the production viable such interference need to be addressed.

The necessity to control this damage however, should always be tempered by ethical and ecological considerations. Abuse mostly happens through abuse of equipment, ignorance of he correct application of the equipment, ignorance of the biology and the effect of control. Some of the perceptions of abuse stems from ignorance, generalizations and misconceptions by the public. This only causes friction and mistrust. Openness and education on the process of damage control and the processes involved will slowly put the problems and control effort in perspective and solve this friction. 

Managing damage by definition means interfering with natural behavior of animals under unnatural situations and often killing of damage causing individuals. There are a large number of control options including more non-lethal than lethal, and the best for each situation need to be chosen. Damage control is infinitely more complex than perceived by the general public and therefore a highly specialized work field. This leads to ADC being seen as the science/art of “choosing the lesser evil.”

It is important that control should always be based on the most humane and ecological least damaging option being chosen for the specific situation. Adherence to the countries laws that govern this process is also mandatory.

STRATEGY

Goal: Establish a national policy for ADC

Strategy: Draw up a draft national policy and circulate this to all stakeholders for approval and implementation.

Goal: Update the national policy regularly.

Strategy: Keep abreast of new and changing developments in the industry and adapting to maintain optimum efficiency in a changing political and social-economic environment.

Goal: Establish a communication structure.

Strategy: This is envisaged mainly as a web sight and a mailing list that will be maintained.

Goal: To improve cooperation between all the parties involved ADC.

Strategy: If there is a clear vision and leadership that produce results, the co-operation will automatically improve.

Goal: Improve attitude and approaches by farmers and control organizations.

Strategy: This is mainly an education and training task. As farmers start employing that correct techniques and improve their management of animal damage, the interest increase and attitudes will change.

Goal: Empower landowners to apply control methods to their fullest effect.

Strategy: Education and training. A unit that can physically help with exceptional problems must be on standby. At least in the beginning this will be the director of the ADCI.

Goal: Training

Strategy: A course that includes all the important issues exists and has been accredited with the South African Education Authorities has been presented at a small scale. This includes a short course for third year students at the Potchefstroom Agricultural College for the last 12 years (still ongoing). The course is about 50% Theory and background knowledge, and 50% practical, including demonstrations and practice by the students.

Goal: Provide an expert service for uncommon and unusual cases.

Strategy: This used to be my work for over 15 years. Logistics dictate that only a limited number of complaints can be handled, but at least a service is provided that will be extended over time.

Goal: Conduct research in ADC.

Strategy: Obtain funding and conduct research in State of the Art solutions to damage caused by animals to livestock, game animals, agricultural crops, infrastructure.

The overall aims of damage control is well presented by this quote from Prof. Wather Howard:

"…those of you who are experienced in wildlife damage control can take great pride and honestly claim that you have preserved more nontarget species, done more towards restoring a healthier ecosystem, and practiced better wildlife husbandry in disturbed environments than has been accomplished by many conservation-environmental organizations with millions of dollars. They waste their energy and money by playing an advocacy role and promoting anti-control propaganda to raise more money for advocacy, instead of working toward alternative solutions to wildlife damage problems, whereas you demonstrate genuine compassion for all living organisms by your research for better solutions. Wildlife damage control is an integral part of life, and it helps establish true harmony between man and nature. The role of a predator, including man, is vital in the harmonious functioning of animal communities. Actually, those of you in wildlife damage control probably understand the ecology of vertebrate control, the brutality and cruelty of nature, better than most ecologists, wildlifers and zoologists; thus you are more of a patron saint of wildlife conservation than the idealistic environmentalists. Since nature’s way in environments modified by man is neither rational nor ethical, I find that it is actually those involved in animal damage control who are working the hardest to establish morality in the role of man in nature."

 W.E. Howard.