TheImprovement ofTropical and Subtropical Rangelands

WILDLIJ'E LAND USE AT THE ATHI RIVER, KENYA
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TABLE 10-2 Wildlife Offtake a~ Wildlife Ranchin. and Reeearch, 1981-1984
Number Harveated
Thompeon Gran~'.
Year Guelle Guelle H~ebee.~ Wildebeel~ Total
1981 243 1114 97 36 1530
1982 1415 88 186 108 1527
1983 187 76 179 120 1562
1984 1151 1515 287 234 727
surplus males. This altered the sex ratio of the herds to favor females
10:1. This policy allowed p'owth in breeding stocks while providing
saleable offtake. Females were subsequently added to the harvesting
prop'am to maintain this ratio.
During the first year, the natural increase of wildlife, adding
those harvested to the increase in numbel'l, totaled 40 percent. With
the increased female to male ratio, this total climbed to 50 percent
for the following years. This offtake rate was very high, considering
that the average offtake rate for cattle in the area averages only 17
percent.
Table 1~2 shows actual numbel'l and weights of animals harvested
over the four-year period. Gazelle were harvested rigorously
and the other species lightly at the start, but as the figures show,
this was corrected over the four years. The average weight of animals
harvested declined significantly over the period, reflecting the decline
in the average age structure of the herd. Of importance is the ass0­
ciated quality and tendemell of the meat, which is very apparent to
the consumer.
The fourth year, 1984, does not fit with the preceding years because
of a policy change in ranch operations and because of the worst
drought on record. The policy change was to increase the offtake of
animals, mainly because of the drought, but also because of the eetablished
policy of maintaining and developing markets for wildlife
products. The long-term goal is to expand the base of operations,
and continue to build a wildlife industry. Indications were that the
ranch was on the verge of receiving license to expand its production
base. It is interesting to note that demand for the product continues
to exceed supply.
In 1984, sales of 35,000 kg of dressed venison were recorded; the
meat sold as fresh carcU8e8, cuts and roasts, cooked and smoked