ABSTRACT
This chapter explores some of the important economic principles underlying management of the wilds in developing countries. In the majority of circumstances land and wildlife use options other than the conventional development and preservation extremes may be more attractive. Careful economic assessment of the costs and benefits of a sustainable management option is required, both from the financial perspective of the individual or individuals undertaking the activity and from the economic perspective of society as a whole. Wildlife cropping or culling essentially implies the harvesting of wild animals to provide continuous, sustainable supplies of animal products meat, hides, trophies, etc. The failure to appreciate and assess the total economic value of wildlife and wildlands often results in a distortion in economic incentives. Wildlands and wildlife also have an important role to play in the sustainable development of developing countries. Finally, wildlands and wildlife are also important resources to the livelihood security of the poorest groups in developing countries.
