The Predation Management Centre (PMC)
Effective management is based on a sound understanding of the topic in question. To achieve effective predation management in South Africa, we need to draw from as much information as possible. In SA, there is a lot of information available on damage causing animals, their impact on livestock production and how to manage them, but much of this information lies in the hands of a few experts etc, while there are many people out there who seek advice and information, but do not know where to obtain it. The PMC aims to fulfil this purpose…extracting valuable information from reliable sources and providing a platform where such information can be accessed by people who need it.
Goals
- Collecting and interpreting all available information on predation, predation management and the predator species involved, and distributing relevant and appropriate information after scientific evaluation to stakeholders and role players.
- Initiating, supporting, and conducting scientific studies on predation management, the ecology of predator species implicated in predation, as well as their natural food base, on livestock farms and wildlife ranches.
- In partnership with farmers and conservation authorities, assisting in formulating new or updating existing scientific management strategies and policies to coordinate the management of damage-causing predator species at national and provincial levels.
A Management Information System (MIS) was created to assist in building and maintaining institutional memory. The MIS consists of the following databases and archives:
- Contact details of role-players involved in predation
- Legislation
Detail regarding relevant acts, regulations and policies regarding predation management.
This database and collection of documents serves as repository to anyone requiring information on the legal aspects of predation management on a provincial as well as national level.
- A functional collection of publications (hard copy and/or electronic) on predators, predation and relevant associated topics, both local and international. The collection includes peer-reviewed publications, as well as articles published in popular press.
This database and archive serves to keep track of research conducted on topics relating to predation management, in efforts to coordinate and prioritise future research, as well as to inform present-day predation management practices.