KAROO NEWS - Over three days of perfect winter weather, from 26 to 28 June, the 23rd annual SPAR Kirkwood Wildsfees attracted thousands of festivalgoers.
Despite the current economic climate, the festival organiser were very satisfied with this year’s turnout.
“This year’s festival once again proved the incredible resilience of the SPAR Kirkwood Wildsfees,” said festival director Jennifer Honsbein. “The electric atmosphere and unwavering support from our sponsors, exhibitors, artists, volunteers, and festivalgoers remind us why this event remains such a vital showcase for our region.”
Game auction
A definite highlight of the festival was the game auction on Friday, which drew significant attention from across the wildlife sector with its line-up of rare black rhino females, disease-free buffalo and premium plains game.
The event, held at the Mayogi Boma along the R75 in the Eastern Cape, saw more than 220 lots change hands, generating an overall turnover of R17.4m.
Among the undisputed highlights of the day were the rare black rhino (Diceros bicornis bicornis) females, which made a rare appearance on the public auction market.
The top-selling female fetched a remarkable R700 000, which goes to show the immense value placed on these rare genetics.
Auction manager Garth Saville said the inclusion of the rhino females was a milestone for the industry. “Having these animals on offer for the first time in many years was a major talking point, and the bidding reflected the deep interest from serious buyers looking to secure these vital bloodlines,” he said.
Other major drawcards included the sought-after disease-free buffalo bulls sourced directly from the Addo Elephant National Park. The highest-selling buffalo bull went for R155 000. Other carnivores and plains game also saw competitive bidding.
According to Saville, the auction’s results reinforce the current health of the South African game market. “The partnership with SANParks once again proved to be a massive drawcard, delivering naturally bred, resilient animals in excellent numbers,” Saville said.
The organisers extended their sincere gratitude to the local community, contractors and all stakeholders whose efforts made the weekend a resounding success.
Anticipation is already building for next year.
Planning is officially under way for the 24th SPAR Kirkwood Wildsfees, which is scheduled to take place from Friday to Sunday, 25 to 27 June 2027.
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