According to the magazine, this decision was made to ensure that the publication and associated digital platforms continue to grow in effectiveness and to add value to the broader wildlife conservation sector in Southern Africa, while still appealing to global markets. 

The team at PRIVATE GAME says that their expert contributors will aim to develop curated content to inform the magazine's loyal readers and current customers of both wildlife opportunities and challenges. They will also aim to provide an engaging voice for the private wildlife sector to stimulate innovation in global conservation.

Executive editor Dr Peter Oberem, says, "With its magnificent and diverse wildlife heritage, Southern Africa plays a vital role in conserving the world's biological diversity. The region boasts an extensive network of public parks, including international icons such as the Kruger, Hluhluwe-iMfolozi, Kgalagadi, Etosha, Chobe and Hwange — several of which also form part of larger transfrontier conservation areas."

"The region is known for its excellent track record of conserving threatened species such as:
  • elephant
  • rhino
  • Cape mountain zebra
  • bontebok
  • black wildebeest
  • cheetah, and
  • lion.
An important aspect is the unique and vital role [that] the private sector and market-based approaches play in supporting both wildlife conservation and socio-economic development in the region," adds Oberem.

Michael ’t Sas-Rolfes, a sustainability economist and regular contributor to the publication, says, "Southern Africa's wildlife industry has become a contemporary world leader in conservation innovation, providing considerable ecological, biodiversity and economic benefits to the region."

According to the magazine, wildlife ranchers in South Africa have achieved to take marginal, often degraded agricultural land and improve the broader biodiversity in 20% of South Africa's agricultural land. They do this by introducing and increasing the numbers of indigenous wildlife species with the consequential improved sustainability of the land, diversity and health of all plants and animals found there.

Adding substantially to the fringes of parks such as the Kruger, Hluhluwe-iMfolozi and Addo, and providing additional habitat and corridors for numerous species, privately-owned wildlife land has supported regional ecological integrity.

The private wildlife sector generates multiple economic opportunities by catering to markets in:
  • wildlife-based tourism
  • hunting
  • wildlife breeding
  • game meat production
  • wildlife products, and
  • significant employment and secondary spin-off benefits to the regional economy.
The magazine says that there is no doubt that Southern Africa's wildlife industry — and private wildlife ownership as a global concept — has an opportunity to demonstrate that it has much to contribute to both conservation and economic development. The team at PRIVATE GAME says that strategic communication is more important than ever.

Conceptualised by the executive editorial team of the popular publication Wildlife Ranching magazine, PRIVATE GAME will aim to build on the successes achieved by Wildlife Ranching, while providing an engaging voice for the private wildlife sector across print and digital platforms.

Regular columns/features offered in the magazine include:

1. Current Affairs
  • Wildlife Economy — THE BIGGER PICTURE
  • Global Movers & Shakers
  • Sector News & Activities
2. Tourism
  • Destinations
  • Activities
3. Game Species

4. Wildlife Management
  • Nutrition
  • Veterinary health care
5. Wildlife Trade
  • Auction Focus — regular
  • Rhino Files — ad hoc
6. Game Meat

7. Wildlife Products

8. Lifestyle

The magazine has a frequency of six issues per annum (alternate monthly). PRIVATE GAME offers an integrated model with a mix of print and digital content. A bimonthly magazine will be published in print and digital format and integrated with social media platforms.

Editorial Calendar

Issue 1 
  • Ad sales deadline — Wednesday, 12 February
  • Distribution — Wednesday, 26 February
Issue 2
  • Ad sales deadline — Friday, 20 March
  • Distribution — Wednesday, 8 April
Issue 3
  • Ad sales deadline — Friday, 22 May
  • Distribution — Wednesday, 10 June
Issue 4 
  • Ad sales deadline — Friday, 24 July
  • Distribution — Wednesday, 12 August
Issue 5
  • Ad sales deadline — Friday, 18 September
  • Distribution — Wednesday, 7 October
Issue 6 
  • Ad sales deadline — Friday, 20 November
  • Distribution — Wednesday, 9 December
For more information, contact [email protected]. You can also follow PRIVATE GAME magazine on Facebook. 

*Image courtesy of PRIVATE GAME