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conservation importance. Ageing staff component and shortage of staff. Centralised budget, and de-capacitated reserve management. Lack of resources. Insufficient information re. the heritage resources of the reserve. Lack of communication/co-operation between management and stakeholders. Very little scientific data available as a result of a lack of research and monitoring. Ineffective management. Present hunting quota is not sustainable as it is not backed by good scientific data. Present hunting zone is not well positioned. No permanent water at outlying pickets. Large distances between infrastructure/management tools and the main complex could lead to theneglect of infrastructure and management tools. Some areas within the reserve are prone to erosion. Tourist safety within big game areas. Poor road conditions make vehicle access difficult for management purposes. Alien vegetation, especially aquatic species.OPPORTUNITIES There is huge potential to upgrade the tourism facilities of the reserve and improve the roadinfrastructure in order to allow better access throughout the reserve. The development of a new major tourism facility. Improved signage to and within the reserve. Good marketing potential as a result of the proximity to, and unfenced boundary with, the KNP.The LRNR also forms part of the Greater Kruger Conservation Area and is therefore marketed byexisting structures involved with eco-tourism and hunting. Opportunities for African wilderness experiences. There is an opportunity to introduce activities such as night drives, game walks, the selling of curiosand cultural experiences. The koppies within the reserve provide good lookout points that could be developed. There is an opportunity to establish (guided) hiking trails through the different veld types andhabitats of the reserve. Environmental education. Research and monitoring opportunities. Job creation. The establishment of the Luvuvhu Wilderness Trail operated by TFPD has been successful and hasthe potential to become the flagship 4x4 trail in Limpopo Province and the Great Limpopo TransfrontierConservation Area (TFCA).THREATS Poaching of wildlife. Theft. Damage to the reserve’s boundary fence by neighbouring communities. The spread of diseases. The impact of the African Elephant on the vegetation. Low rainfall – game numbers must be managed carefully in order to prevent veld degradation. Mineral deposits in the southern regions of the reserve could lead to the area being mined, if it isfound to be viable. Pending land claims. Lack of capacity to ensure law enforcement. Existing legal status of the reserve.Reserve Management Documents: Letaba Ranch Nature Reserve (Strategic Plan) 37