wildlife economy
- (FRQRPLFHIÀFLHQF\ is the bread
and butter of business and the issue of
most obvious immediate interest to most
entrepreneurs – and most economists
too. If we think of the economy as a pie,
efficiency is concerned with producing
the biggest and best pie possible with
the available (always limited) ingredients.
In wildlife management terms, it entails
finding the most efficient and effective
ways to produce and manage wild
animals, and the environment on which
they depend, to recognised high
standards. Economists generally agree
that efficiency goals are best served by
well-functioning market mechanisms,
which effectively distribute the greatest
benefits to where they are most in
demand. However, economic efficiency
is not always of primary concern to the
general public, which is why political
movements, including the three I have
previously highlighted, often lobby
against market mechanisms and attempt
to suppress trade or open competition.
Sensible entrepreneurs
in the wildlife industry
should focus on balancing
both the short-term
objective of seeking
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legitimate market
opportunities as well as
keeping an eye on the
socio-political movements
and trends that will
ultimately determine long-
term consumer demand as
well as what is politically
possible and supported.