REALITY: Extensive habitat loss forces previously free-roaming wildlife into Captivity or Extinction
When considering wildlife population numbers globally, ALL large mammal numbers have decreased at a shocking rate (90 – 98%+) over the last 200 years! This alarming decline is directly related to the human population explotion over the same period, with increased development, causing amongst others, drastic destruction of the natural "wild" habitat of most wildlife species.
In Africa, the natural habitat range of most large predator species has decreased with often more than 97% over the last few decades andthe drastic decline in especially apex African predators such as lions, highlights a much wider global wildlife conservation crisis. Similarly, the population numbers of other large mammal species such as elephants and rhinos are also in serious decline with poaching playing an important role.
As wildlife population numbers decrease, so does their genetic pool and survival success in the "wild". Presently, the sad reality is that extensive habitat destruction and habitat loss are forcing previously free-roaming wildlife into either captivity or extinction - WE choose well-regulated and managed wildlife captivity above extinction!
Since captivity with its associated financial implications, neccesitates a sustainable business strategy to ensure the welfare of both captive wildlife and economical survival of the wildlife owner, the South African Wildlife Tourism Association (SAWTA) strives to improve the lives of people and wildlife in the region through the implimentation and support of an Ethical & Responible Wildlife Tourism Standard for the SA wildlife tourism industry - especially the captive wildlife tourism industry.
Shocking decrease in Africa's wildlife numbers
* An average of 96 elephants are killed for their ivory in Africa each day.
* More African elephants are being killed for ivory than are being born.
* Approximately 60 percent of elephant deaths are at the hands of poachers.
* There are now only 7,100 cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus) left in the world.
* African wilddog: ± 5,000 individuals left roaming sub-Saharan Africa today, with numbers still declining.
* World First: There is now less lions than rhinos alive in Africa.
* Presently there are ± 21 400 rhino but only ± 18 000 lions left in Africa!
* Since the launch of the "BLOOD LIONS" film and campaign against lion hunting and captive bred lions, Africa's lion numbers decreased from ± 27 000 (2015) to ± 18 000 (2019), that is a loss of ± 30% of the total number of surving lions!!!
Decrease in Africa's wildlife numbers
over last 100-200 years ...
African Elephant
African Rhinos
Lion
Cheetah
The South African Wildlife Tourism Association (SAWTA) strives to improve the lives of people and wildlife in the region through the implimentation and support of an Ethical & Responible Wildlife Tourism standard for the SA wildlife tourism industry - especially the captive wildlife tourism industry. WE choose well-regulated and managed captivity above extinction of Africa's dwindeling wildlife species!
The SAWTA is a certification and accreditation scheme that encourages wildlife tourism establishments and their associated industry partners to meet a set of standards and criteria, created by the SAWTA's group of experts and affiliated partners, that assures effective and long term wildlife conservation - both in the "wild" and captive facilities within South Africa. The SAWTA provides an opportunity for individual wildlife facilities and associated industry partners/service suppliers to demonstrate their commitment to, and success in, protecting Africa's wildlife through Ethical & Responible Wildlife Tourism.
Not only does the SAWTA promote Ethical & Responible Wildlife Tourism through our membership, certification and accreditation programmes, but in addition, strive to create a conservation education platform through which the general public, the ecotourist & the travel industry in general, can be informed.
SAWTA REGISTRATION
The full SAWTA membership process is outlined on the SAWTA membership page, a summary is provided in the diagram below. 
SAWTA Goals
SAWTA Objectives
Industry Standard
Build regional capacity to improve the lives of people and wildlife in the region through the setting & implementation of an Ethical & Responsible Wildlife Tourism Standard.
Certification & Accreditation
Facilitate and support an Ethical & Responsible Wildlife Tourism Standard for best practise wildlife tourism providers in South Africa through official SAWTA certification & accreditation.
Knowledge & Education
Generate knowledge and global understanding of Ethical & Responsible Wildlife Tourism, especially with regard to captive wildlife tourism facilities and destinations in South Africa.
Interest of members
Represent the interests of members and assist in facilitating the implementation of relevant actions/projects that will help to achieve ethical & responsible wildlife tourism in the region.