SAQA

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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY

REGISTERED QUALIFICATION:

Diploma in Wildlife Management

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
115551	Diploma in Wildlife Management
ORIGINATOR
Tshwane University of Technology (TUT)
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY			NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education			HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework
QUALIFICATION TYPE	FIELD		SUBFIELD
Diploma (Min 360)	Field 01 - Agriculture and Nature Conservation		Nature Conservation
ABET BAND	MINIMUM CREDITS	PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL	NQF LEVEL	QUAL CLASS
Undefined	360	Not Applicable	NQF Level 06	Regular-Provider-ELOAC
REGISTRATION STATUS		SAQA DECISION NUMBER	REGISTRATION START DATE	REGISTRATION END DATE
Reregistered		EXCO 0821/24	2019-12-17	2027-06-30
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT		LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-30		2033-06-30

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.

This qualification does not replace any other qualification and is not replaced by any other qualification.

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION

Purpose:
The use of a Diploma in Wildlife Management is to achieve financial sustainability in the game ranching industry. Achieve this sustainability, the wildlife management sector requires entrepreneurial skills. This assertion is on sustainable use of natural resources, mostly game utilisation, especially in the Savannas of South Africa. The current demand/focus in the game industry is on colour variants, high-value species, and rare species. South Africa is a semi-arid country, and one of the variable land-uses are wildlife utilisation. Wildlife ranching (game farming) is an essential economic activity in the Savanna biome, particularly in Limpopo (where there are more than half of all game farms). There are an estimated 9 000 privately owned game ranches in South Africa, covering an area of more than 17 million hectares. The monetary value generated from selling game has shown substantial growth during the last decade. Professional hunting is estimated to support 70 000 jobs and generates approximately R1 billion a year from trophy hunting fees, taxidermy, accommodation, and venison. Game ranches in South Africa mainly manage wildlife intensively, which implies the manipulation of habitats and game species.

Wildlife management has to balance conservation principles and income generation opportunities. There is a need for an innovative curriculum that can address and accommodate both aspects of managing natural resources and financial interests. Using the latest technology in equipping management in the 21st century is at the core of this innovative curriculum.

Furthermore, this qualification will supply the wildlife ranching industry in Southern Africa with managerial assistants in sustainable game production and utilisation. This achievement is possible through participation in the managing of natural vegetation, ungulates, infrastructure, administration, finances, and people on game farms and game production systems. The syllabus also takes into account the needs of all stakeholders, namely, learners, the staff both at the institution and other higher education institutions, alumni and sectors of the industry. The current learners in game ranch management are employed. Qualifying learners will participate in the sustainable utilisation of wildlife areas for consumptive and non-consumptive use, management of hunting, tourism, natural resources protection, resource economics, and community-based wildlife utilisation, and management of finances and infrastructure of game farming systems. They work in the wildlife ranching and game farming industry, as well as in the related tourism industry, generally under supervision.

The qualification will cover fields of study in CESM code 010103 such as to manage game ranches, reserves and other wildlife undertakings. The scope of practice will include planning, decision support, wildlife monitoring, meat processing, wildlife utilisation, animal health and wildlife economics.

Rationale:
The primary reason for developing this qualification was to provide learners with knowledge and skills in the current theory, practice and methodology within the field of wildlife management in the South African context. The qualification will produce graduates with the requisite vocational knowledge and skills in wildlife management and the ability to apply these in a range of wildlife management perspectives in aiding the transformation of the socio-economic landscape of South Africa.

The game farming industry is continuously growing, especially with the multi-facetted hunting and growing tourism industries with which it is closely associated. Most learners quickly obtain training and job opportunities in the industry with a broad spectrum of fields and opportunities.

This qualification provides practical and career-focused personnel, trained specially for the needs of the Game farming industry in Southern Africa. The curriculum covers the following critical aspects of the industry:

Management and development of game farms and game ranches.

Consumptive and non-wasteful sustainable utilisation of game.

Resource protection.

Management of hunting.

Assistance with monitoring and research within game ranching areas.

Community-based wildlife utilisation.

The qualification gives access to a variety of jobs in the game farming industry. The possible duties include managers of game farms (intensive) and game ranches (extensive), managers of hunting operations on game ranches, managers and field guides in wildlife tourism and eco-tourism, assistants in wildlife research, and game capturers. Society and the economy benefit mainly from the course, as it provides informed and well-trained personnel to a specialised industry. A wide array of landowners with wildlife and game on their land are staffed at various levels with ex-learners, making significant contributions to the efficient operating of such enterprises and organisations.

The qualification aims at school leavers wishing to acquire knowledge and skills to enter the South African wildlife industry. This qualification will prepare learners vocationally for the workplace and continuing their academic development towards an Advanced Diploma and further Postgraduate education and training.

The qualification is structured to expose learners to a set of basic knowledge in ecological principles, earth science, and nature of the industry and techniques of managing wildlife and core competencies in managing wildlife undertakings. Thus, the objective is to provide the learners' a breadth of knowledge and direct skills to function in the field.

There is scope for progression into an Advanced Diploma in Wildlife Management.

Notably, the academic Advisory Board Committee comprising industrial and other stakeholders played an instrumental role in the development of the curriculum, to ensure that the qualification has relevance to the workplace. Continuous input from the committee will ensure that the learning qualification is of outstanding quality and associated with the latest developmental and technological advancement in the industry.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
Recognition of Prior Learning is possible for non-formal prior work-integrated learning to grant access. The RPL process will be conducted according to the institution's RPL policy and may involve, among other things, the submission of portfolios with evidence of prior learning, challenge examinations and interviews with assessment panels.

Entry Requirements:
The minimum admission requirement is:

National Senior Certificate, NQF Level 4 granting access to Diploma studies.
Or

Senior Certificate, NQF, Level 4.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

QUALIFICATION RULES

This qualification comprises of compulsory and elective modules at Levels 5 and 6 totalling 360 Credits.

Compulsory Modules at Level 5, totalling 138 Credits:

Communication for Academic Purposes, Level 5, 10 Credits.

Computer Literacy, Level 5, 9 Credits.

Information Literacy, Level 5, 3 Credits.

Life Skills, Level 5, 2 Credits.

Wildlife Science I, Level 5, 24 Credits.

Wildlife Management I, Level 5, 24 Credits.

Wildlife Economics I, Level 5, 24 Credits.

Wildlife Ecology I, Level 5, 24 Credits.

Rangeland Science I, Level 5, 18 Credits.

Compulsory Modules at Level 6 totalling 210 Credits:

Earth Science I, Level 6, 18 Credits.

Wildlife Economics II, Level 6, 24 Credits.

Wildlife Science II, Level 6, 24 Credits.

Wildlife Management II, Level 6, 24 Credits.

Work Integrated Learning I, Level 6, 120 Credits.

Elective Modules at Level 6, totalling 12 Credits:

Wildlife Utilisation I, Level 6, 12 Credits.
Or

Lodge Management I, Level 6, 12 Credits.

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

1. Demonstrate understanding of the history, development, and nature of the game farming industry in southern Africa relevant to the field of Wildlife Management to unfamiliar but relevant contexts; and how that knowledge relates to other areas or practices.
2. Evaluate, select and apply ecological monitoring techniques at small reserves and game farms in processes of investigation or application within a defined context.
3. Demonstrate detailed knowledge and understanding of the best practice management of natural resource systems and associated utilisation activities such as culling, hunting, and sustainable game production and tourism.
4. Identify, evaluate and solve defined, routine and new problems within the field of maintenance of infrastructure and equipment commensurate with current game ranching operations.
5. Demonstrate essential leadership and entrepreneurial skills by planning projects, performing administrative duties related to the field of wildlife management, in addition to operational activities related to game ranching.
6. Produce and communicate complex information reliably and coherently using appropriate academic and professional conventions, formats, and technologies relevant to the field of wildlife management.
7. Demonstrate an understanding of the ethical implications of decisions and actions, within an organisational or professional context, based on an awareness of the complexity of moral dilemmas associated with game farming.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Associated Assessment for Exit Level Outcome 1:
Apply the practical aspects of reserve management in the design, implementation, and evaluation of wildlife management qualifications.

Administer compliance in the operational environment.

Demonstrate the basic wildlife monitoring techniques, which are consistent with industrial and ethical principles.

Apply the practical aspects of wildlife management in the design, implementation, and evaluation of wildlife undertakings.

Identify the risks of protecting biodiversity from injudicious and or illegal exploitation.

Administer financial governance and compliance in the operational environment.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:

Manage game Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
farms by applying techniques relevant to ecological principles.

Integrate, interrogate, and communicate the connection between the scholarship of managing wildlife on farms and the goals of the ranching industry in the qualifications developed.

Structure practice opportunities for maximum participation (individual, partner, small-group activities).

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:

Demonstrate the understanding of the legislative framework from the constitution to local legislation about wildlife and its law enforcement function.

Articulate a philosophy that administrative tasks are essential to the qualification and have the potential to foster self-expression, growth and development, learning and social cohesion.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:

Use language clearly and concisely, giving and receiving feedback appropriate to the level of the companion.

Communicate instructional information in a variety of ways such as the internet, video, posters, bulletin boards, etc.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:

Demonstrate the understanding of the legislative framework from the constitution to local legislation about wildlife management and its law enforcement function.

Apply basic planning principles relevant to the maintenance of infrastructure and equipment commensurate with current game ranching operations.

Use language clearly and concisely, giving and receiving feedback appropriate to the level of the companion.

Communicate instructional information in a variety of ways such as the internet, video, posters, bulletin boards, etc.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7:

Manage ethical aspects and dilemmas professionally according to game ranching industry standards and ethical guidelines.

Give special consideration for actions when working with farmers, communities, fauna, and flora.

Integrated Assessment:
In this qualification, the integrated assessment will incorporate both formative and summative assessment strategies into the learning qualification. Integrated assessment will take place within the context of an active learning environment, in adherence to:

Quality assurance policies, procedures, and processes.

A guided and supported learning environment.

Formative Assessment:
Formative assessment will thus mainly involve integrated types of evaluation, used to inform learners about their progress continuously throughout the semester. Self and peer assessment (with the aid of relevant analytical assessment tools) will contribute to formative assessment. Throughout the qualification, formative assessment strategies will be used to ensure that exit level and critical cross-field outcomes are achievable, which include (but not limited to):

Assignments.

Practicals and practical assessments.

Theory tests.

Summative Assessment:
Summative assessment will involve assessment opportunities that take place at the end of a learning experience. This type of evaluation is used for promotional purposes and take the form of (including, but not limited to):

Portfolios of evidence.

Presentations.

Tests.

Work-Integrated Learning Assessment:
The learner will be required to undertake a one-year experiential training or work-integrated learning qualification in the 3rd year of study to gain experience by working at an approved game farm. At the end of this qualification, learners must produce a management plan where the following compulsory components of learning occurred:

Ecological monitoring.

Game Ranch management (game counts, veld management, water provision).

Environmental law enforcement.

Technical aspects (maintenance of equipment and vehicles, erosion structures, fire breaks).

General (attending relevant symposia, gaining professional hunter's license, code ten driver's license, first aid, and administrative duties).

INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY

Outside of South Africa, there are similar qualifications comparable to the South African qualification, and these include the University of Queensland, University of Otago, Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology, University of Florida, University of Botswana, Trinity College, Dublin, Texas A&M, and Texas Tech. The underlying core subjects are similar, but techniques align with regional scenarios.

A Bachelor of Applied Science-Wildlife Science, University of Queensland, Australia:
Entry to this qualification is competitive. Learners are ranked and selected in order of merit based on their academic achievement, e.g., ATAR, GPA or STAT Multiple Choice (including any adjustments). Annual core modules include Animal Anatomy and Physiology. There is no WIL component but the qualification acts as a feeder to a number of government agencies. The qualification is similar to the institution's qualifications in terms of entry requirements and the duration of the qualification.

Bachelor of Natural Resource Management, Namibian University of Science and Technology, Namibia:
Learners may be admitted to the Bachelor of Natural Resource Management if they meet the General admission requirements of the University Senate and complies with the following additional requirements:

A pass in Biology or a Biology-related subject, with at least a C symbol at NSSC Ordinary Level.

A pass in Mathematics with at least an E symbol at NSSC Ordinary Level.

A pass in English with at least a D symbol at NSSC Ordinary Level.

Similar subjects offered in this qualification are: Ecology; Biology; Animal Studies; Plant Studies; Natural Resource Management and WIL component within a period of 1 year. The qualification is comparable to the institution's qualification in terms of similar entry requirements, credits, duration and WIL component as well as the specific modules offered.

Bachelor of Science in Wildlife Management, University of Otago, New Zealand:
This is a three year qualification offering similar modules such as Plant studies, Animal Studies, Ecology and Natural Resource Management. The qualification comprises of the knowledge mix of social and biological modules to empower learners to deal with the complexities of modern conservation and resource management. The entry requirements, duration and subject matter are similar with differences related to regional differences with strong articulation to industry.

Bachelor of Science in Wildlife Ecology, University of Florida, United States of America:
The learners pursuing a B.S. in Natural Resources Management must make a C or better in departmental courses to be eligible for graduation. This is a 4-year qualification focusing on the following core modules: Forest Ecology, Plant Ecology, General Ecology and Wildlife Ecology and Management. The wildlife ecology concentration can meet the minimum requirements recommended by the Wildlife Society for wildlife biologist certification. This qualification is similar to the qualification offered by the University of Florida in terms of the entry requirements, subject matter and articulation.

Natural Resources Management: Conservation Science, Texas Tech University, United States of America. The entry requirement a 4.0 GPA from Senior High School with English literacy requirements.

The learners pursuing a B.S. in Natural Resources Management must make a C or better in departmental courses to be eligible for graduation. The qualification has the following five core modules: Ranch Management, Wildlife Biology, Fisheries Biology, Range Conservation, and Conservation Science . The Wildlife Biology can meet the minimum requirements recommended by the Wildlife Society for wildlife biologist certification.

The subject mix includes Botany, Zoology, Rangeland Management, Ecology and Natural Resource Management with a wide array of electives.

This qualification is similar to the institution's qualification in terms of entry requirements, modules and articulation.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

This qualification allows possibilities for both vertical and horizontal articulation.

Horizontal Articulation:

Diploma in Project Management, Level 6.

Diploma in Nature Conservation, Level 6.

Vertical Articulation:

Advanced Diploma in Wildlife Management, Level 7.

MODERATION OPTIONS

N/A

CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS

N/A

NOTES

N/A

LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION:

NONE

PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS QUALIFICATION:

This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.

1.	Tshwane University of Technology (TUT)