18. Game management in fences areas. Traditions, status and issues related to enclosures.

Question 1

Traditions

Answer 1

In the prehistoric age, game animals were prey or predator for the humans, but humans tried to domesticate these animals, mostly as food source. In Assyria there were fences areas that belonged to the Krugs, where they kept lions, tigers, antelopes as recreation for guests. Persian and Roman game gardens are documented to be used for gladiator combat.
In middle ages hunting became a sport and hunters wanted to assure secure kill and undisturbed hunts, putting animals in enclosed areas
e.g. Hunting places, fortress gardens, monastery gardens, amusement gardens
- Enclosed game keeping – wild animals that are not domesticated, but are kept in their original, wild form
In Hungary, there is evidence of game gardens starting from the 11th century. There were game gardens and animals kept for protection, e.g. predators around Buda fortress
o Game species were protected in these enclosures and fed during the winter (salt lick for minerals)
o The enclosures enabled high number of animals for hunting
o During the 18th century, wild boar was kept in very high populations for hunting
The population of wild game multiplied since the 1960, together with the intensification of agriculture. However, due to wildlife damage to agriculture, it is necessary to keep populations closed off (avoid wildlife x human conflicts). Bad quality lands that couldn’t be used for crop production were used for game farms.
- Game enclosures and game parks are part of game management
- Game farms are part of animal husbandry

Question 2

Aims:

Answer 2

o Hunting, venison, secondary utilization of the forest, breeding animal sale, exhibition/presentation of animals, velveted antler sale, zygote/sperm sale, research, gene bank
o Keeping animals that cannot be kept in open areas (Silka deer)
o Harvest and management
o Hunting season can be longer
o Game damage can be decreased with live capture
o Classic form of hunting enclosures ensures extra income to the forestry and hunting management – hunting + venison sale

Question 3

Issues

Answer 3

o Changing behaviour of animals
o Game animals are less adaptive and have lower survival rate if/when released
o Damages to the wild populations/disease
o Animals develop feeding dependency and loss of traits and instincts
o Changes in genetics diversity, creating mutations
o Intensive production of animals
o No restrictions
o Animal hygiene and welfare concerns
o Habitat transformation

Question 4

Status today

Answer 4

o Important for hunting purposes –> best hunting trophies
o Wildlife park/ reserve –> education purpose, economic importance
o Areas that cant be used for farming are used for enclosures
o Protection of endangered species from poaching, research, gene pool