Management: Biodiversity Act (Act 10 of 2004) (referred to as NEM:BA). The
intent of the regulations is to reduce the risk of importing potentially invasive or
harmful alien species, reduce the number of alien species becoming invasive, and
limit the extent and impact of invasions (see van Wilgen et al. 2020, Chap. 1,
Box 1.1).
The regulations prohibit the importation of alien species that are known to be
invasive elsewhere in the world but are not yet in the country (prohibited species).
Alien species that are already present but not widespread in the country can be
targeted for eradication (Category 1a). In cases where invasive species are widespread the most practical option is often to contain further spread (Category 1b). The
regulations have a provision for utilisation of listed alien species that provide
benefits to human wellbeing, albeit with some strict conditions (Categories 2 and 3).
Current role-players in invasive and alien animal control programmes include
national agencies such as South African National Parks (SANParks), provincial
nature conservation agencies such as CapeNature (Western Cape Province), local
authorities such as eThekwini Municipality (Durban) and a range of consultants and
NGOs (e.g. Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals). Research and higher
education organisations such as universities, national research facilities and institutes
provide information, best practice and expertise for monitoring alien and invasive
species. A range of inter-institutional working groups on invasive taxa have been
developed in South Africa, and these play a crucial role in advising government on
management options and best practice and broadening participation and information
flow. Invasive alien animal working groups in the Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal
(KZN) bring together role players to discuss priorities and species requiring control
and to advise the responsible institutions on methods. Recently, a Marine Alien and
Invasive Species Working Group has been constituted at a national level to advise on
prioritisation of management of marine invasive species. This group will complement the work done by the terrestrial Western Cape and KZN working groups.
This chapter addresses the animal control operations of which we are aware,
arranged by habitat and taxonomic groups. We describe the control projects that
have been attempted in South Africa (except for offshore islands, see Greve et al.
2020, Chap. 8), including the methods used, when the operation started, how long
the operation lasted, by whom it was undertaken, and what funding/resources were
used. Where possible, we note the breadth of the stakeholder base, the relative
success and current status of the programme. Biological control operations are
included hypothetically, but none have yet been applied to animals on a large
scale. The final section of the chapter addresses the learning points that have
emerged and which could be used to maximise the effectiveness of alien and
invasive animal management in South Africa.
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631
intent of the regulations is to reduce the risk of importing potentially invasive or
harmful alien species, reduce the number of alien species becoming invasive, and
limit the extent and impact of invasions (see van Wilgen et al. 2020, Chap. 1,
Box 1.1).
The regulations prohibit the importation of alien species that are known to be
invasive elsewhere in the world but are not yet in the country (prohibited species).
Alien species that are already present but not widespread in the country can be
targeted for eradication (Category 1a). In cases where invasive species are widespread the most practical option is often to contain further spread (Category 1b). The
regulations have a provision for utilisation of listed alien species that provide
benefits to human wellbeing, albeit with some strict conditions (Categories 2 and 3).
Current role-players in invasive and alien animal control programmes include
national agencies such as South African National Parks (SANParks), provincial
nature conservation agencies such as CapeNature (Western Cape Province), local
authorities such as eThekwini Municipality (Durban) and a range of consultants and
NGOs (e.g. Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals). Research and higher
education organisations such as universities, national research facilities and institutes
provide information, best practice and expertise for monitoring alien and invasive
species. A range of inter-institutional working groups on invasive taxa have been
developed in South Africa, and these play a crucial role in advising government on
management options and best practice and broadening participation and information
flow. Invasive alien animal working groups in the Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal
(KZN) bring together role players to discuss priorities and species requiring control
and to advise the responsible institutions on methods. Recently, a Marine Alien and
Invasive Species Working Group has been constituted at a national level to advise on
prioritisation of management of marine invasive species. This group will complement the work done by the terrestrial Western Cape and KZN working groups.
This chapter addresses the animal control operations of which we are aware,
arranged by habitat and taxonomic groups. We describe the control projects that
have been attempted in South Africa (except for offshore islands, see Greve et al.
2020, Chap. 8), including the methods used, when the operation started, how long
the operation lasted, by whom it was undertaken, and what funding/resources were
used. Where possible, we note the breadth of the stakeholder base, the relative
success and current status of the programme. Biological control operations are
included hypothetically, but none have yet been applied to animals on a large
scale. The final section of the chapter addresses the learning points that have
emerged and which could be used to maximise the effectiveness of alien and
invasive animal management in South Africa.
22 Alien and Invasive Animal Control Projects
631