National Park Science: A Century of Research in South Africa

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National Park Science: A Century of Research in South Africa

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National Park Science: A Century of Research in South Africa

BOOK REVIEW by Wendy Annecke

Jane Carruthers has written a scholarly text that seeks to explain, in broad political and scientific terms, the changing philosophies and approaches to the ways in which research has been understood and conducted in South Africa’s national parks from 1930 to 2010. An eminent social and conservation historian, Carruthers has scoured the archives and made available previously unknown documents and information. She provides
details about the scientific achievements of and networks amongst more than a hundred of the first botanical, zoological and conservation scientists in South Africa, their international context and, importantly, the national politics that shaped their work. The lists of dates, the index and the selected sources are invaluable to anyone conducting conservation research in national parks.

The book is divided into three historical eras, each characterised by a particular approach to conservation science and research: 1900–1960 when protecting, preserving and propagating were the primary thrusts, 1960s–1990 when measuring, monitoring and manipulating were dominant, and 1990–2010 which Carruthers depicts as the epoch of integration, innovation and internationalisation. She addresses broad conservation debates and international trends as well as everyday considerations in each of the eras, providing case studies and illustrations new to many of us.
For example, Carruthers attributes the antagonism between vets and wildlifers to the 1900s when the Department of Agriculture was staffed by scientists (botanists and veterinarians) who had the ear of politicians. The vets believed that wildlife should be culled in order to prevent diseases from spreading from wildlife to livestock. Culling was strongly resisted by game wardens – but they were not considered scientists and had little authority. Only in 1962 was studying recognised as a function of national parks and park science began to be recognised.

In another example, Carruthers describes internal tensions, such as those between scientists and park management, as emanating from the different responsibilities and reporting lines which were entrenched by particular incidents, such as the Hoek Enquiry of 1953. The outcome of the enquiry was that, despite evidence of misconduct, Le Riche and Steyn remained in their posts whilst Louis B. Steyn was made warden of Kruger National Park. Carruthers explores the residual resentment of these long-forgotten events as they impact on our current practices. At national level
Carruthers illustrates how divisions between Afrikaans and English and black and white shaped the nature of conservation research: what was researched, and how it was conducted, recorded and published.

Carruthers welcomes the successes of SANParks science, including the founding of the journal Koedoe in 1958. She is enthusiastic about the changes that have occurred since 1990: the accountability and transparency, the openness to new ideas, networks and international relations. She
commends the organisation for grasping the opportunity for parks to be reinvented and for developing the 1998 'Framework for Transformation' that commits SANParks to modern concepts of conservation and progressive biodiversity management.

She notes how SANParks has moved from an era of maximal interference in the 1930s to minimised manipulation and engagement in theoretical innovation across a broad range of topics and challenges presented by the 21st century.

Image
Jane Carruthuther’s National Park Science: A Century of Research in
South Africa examines the changing philosophies and approaches to
ways in which research has been understood and conducted in South
Africa’s national parks from 1930 to 2010


https://www.sanparks.org/assets/docs/co ... report.pdf PAGE 81


"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." Nelson Mandela
The desire for equality must never exceed the demands of knowledge
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