Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Minister, Ms Barbara Creecy, will on 5 May 2023 officially launch the Wildlife Well-being Forum.

The launch comes on the heals of the finalisation of the Forum’s Terms of Reference and Code of Conduct by stakeholders in the sector in 2022.

Among the objectives in the Terms of Reference include providing robust representation to the interests of wild animals in respect of their well-being; promoting responsive governance by promoting pragmatic and practical responses to identified risks; and promoting the development and implementation of a modern, integrated approach to the well-being of wild animals, such as the integrative One Well-being approach which highlights the interconnections between animal well-being, human well-being and the environment.

A Wildlife Well-being Forum has been established to promote the well-being of wild animals. This includes the conservation, protection, management and ecologically sustainable, responsible and humane use of wildlife. The Forum is among the recommendations of the High-Level Panel that reviewed policies, legislation and practices related to the management, breeding, hunting, trade and handling of elephant, lion, leopard and rhinoceros.

Being chaired by the Deputy Director-General for Biodiversity and Conservation in the Department, the Forum comprises representatives of national and provincial government, and state-owned entities, as well as NGOs, institutions and associations, that are responsible for, or involved in, biodiversity matters and animal well-being. This includes subject specialists, and representatives of bodies such as the South African Veterinary Council, the South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions, or the Law Society of South Africa.

Media are invited to attend the virtual launch of the Wildlife Well-being Forum as follows.

Source: Government of South Africa