Modelling to optimise consumptive use of game

There has been a rapid increase in the number of private game ranches established in South Africa in recent years. These ranches are good for conservation but many are driven by the profit motive. A number of models have been used to help managers formulate strategies for achieving their economic objectives. These models are discussed and their use illustrated.A detailed sex and age structured model is presented first with an illustration of its use in attaining two different management objectives. For a given management objective this model generates the returns per unit of food consumed for each species. These returns are then fed into a model to determine the relative abundance of each species in a multispecies herbivory that is required to maximise income.Finally, some problems with the use of these models are discussed. Suggestions and current modelling activities towards improving the tools available to African game ranch managers are presented.