Some Principles of Tsetse Control and Land‐use With Emphasis on Wildld7e Husbandry

Abstract

Summary Natural animal populations are adapted to and in equilibrium with their natural environment. Sudden changes in composition of flora or fauna of climax communities may cause serious consequences and even the collapse of the system. This is especially true in Africa where shallow soil and precarious energy cycles are easily upset. With this in mind, it is suggested that serious consideration be given in tsetse‐control schemes and land‐use plans to the feasibility of game‐farming, especially when marginal lands are involved. It would be advantageous in many instances to keep all large and some smaller tracts of marginal lands for wildlife conservation purposes; the large areas as national parks and as a valuable source of government income and prestige, the smaller areas as a permanent animal‐protein supply through game‐harvesting operations. The advantages of game‐farming over domestic livestock‐raising are discussed in detail. A schematized tsetse‐control plan is also presented as an example of land‐use in savannah tsetse belts.