Under the auspices of the Antelope Specialist Group of the Species Survival Commission (SSC) of IUCN and the African Buffalo Interest Group (AfBiG), the 2nd African Buffalo Symposium will be hosted by the 9th International Wildlife Ranching Symposium and organised by the CIRAD Research Centre (Daniel Cornélis and Alexandre Caron) and the International Foundation for Wildlife Management (Philippe Chardonnet, IGF Foundation). The idea of organising African Buffalo Symposia arose from the important increase, over the last few years, in diverse activities related to the African buffalo.

The African buffalo is a key-species for the conservation of African savannahs and forests and for the livelihoods of many stakeholders. The multiple uses of the species range from bushmeat for local communities to tourism attraction. Buffalo is now a high-value species for the game ranching industry in Southern Africa where their number and distribution on private land have substantially increased during the last decade. However, although the buffalo is listed as “Least Concern” by IUCN, its conservation status is worrying in many other parts of the continent. Both decreasing and increasing trends raise questions about the conservation status of the African buffalo.

This symposium provides a unique opportunity to discuss buffalo issues with scientists, wildlife managers, game ranchers, rural leaders, government agencies etc. Recent discoveries in buffalo genetics will be presented. The role of the species in the epidemiology of many diseases will be addressed, especially in view of strategic plans to contain or eradicate diseases. Advances in the understanding of the buffalo ecology will be reported. Updates on buffalo conservation, management, ranching etc. will be delivered.

The full flyer is posted at: http://www.rr-africa.oie.int/docspdf/en/2016/Buffalo_symposium.pdf
Abstract submissions are due by 30 June via: http://www.iwrs.co.za/call-for-papers/