What's the Value of Biodiversity?

[Flutterby]

So if an animal can't generate money, it's not worth saving!!!

[Toko]

Trees have published the finds of another survey. Link This one was a questionnaire for tourists visiting the Mapungubwe National Park.

These tourists are not willing to pay very much for the big five compared to the Kruger tourists , only 333 Rand for a leopard



I think they can not afford more because they have expensive 4x4 vehicles

[Lisbeth]

Isn't there a way to get rid of this perpetual adoration of the big five and do a bit of educational work on the visitors to the parks..........or should it be on Sanparks They are very single minded when it comes to "sell" the parks They ought to do some educational work too IMO If not who would ever go to the Sanparks without the big five, apart from Toko, Mel and another few

Seriously this putting a price on an animal sighting is sickening, non ethical, non educational and profoundly wrong!!!

[Toko]

We live in a world where everything is up for sale. And the big five do sell And many governments believe in market-based mechanisms for biodiversity conservation.

Do you think some things in life such as biodiversity should remain beyond the reach of the market? If so, it’s time to stand up and have your say.

That's what we are doing here

[Lisbeth]

Do you think some things in life such as biodiversity should remain beyond the reach of the market?

For a start, I do!!!! Actually we are talking too little of biodiversity... if you are serious about protecting the wild that's what it all boils down too; it all links together

[Richprins]

SANParks believe they will corner the market re. Big Five tourism, as per the Private Luxury Reserve and East African models.

That is a big risk, especially considering their capital expenditure regarding various plans.

I suspect half the respondents to the first questionnaire were either SP spooks, or simply people who meant they may pay that sum ONCE to see an animal, etc...

In the long term, the abovementioned providers are miles ahead of a bumbling and inexperienced SP, and have their regular customers who expect, nay demand unparalelled service, maintenance, proffessionalism etc.

[Lisbeth]

We do not really know what Sanparks is thinking or what their final goal is (apart from making money). I also suspect that most of the respondents to the survey considered the questions as hypothetical without a real practical basis, at least I hope so

(RP, watch the spelling )

[Sprocky]

We do not really know what Sanparks is thinking or what their final goal is (apart from making money).

Do they themselves???

[Richprins]

Spelling fixed...

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[Lisbeth]

Spelling fixed...

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Still not there