National Parks and Wildlife Act (Act No. 11 of 1992).

The purposes of this Act include the conservation of selected wildlife communities, the protection of rare, endangered and endemic plants and animals, the maintenance of an optimum level and diversity of species in order to support a sustainable utilization of wildlife, control of export and import and the implementation of international treaties. Ownership of all wild animals and plants in their natural habitat is vested with the President, subject to the acquisition of ownership by others through licence or other means permitted by law. The Act designates a Chief Parks and Wildlife Officer responsible for administration of the Act. Wide ranging powers are given to this Officer or those acting under him to prevent and detect offenses, including searches, seizures and entries without warrant. A Wildlife Research and Management Board is established to advise the Minister on wildlife related topics. The Board is also responsible for supervising the "wildlife impact assessment" procedure, which may be triggered by the Minister if he determines that an ongoing or proposed activity may have an adverse affect on wildlife. Part V of the Act deals with the establishment of National Parks and Wildlife Reserves. The Minister may declare any land to be a park or reserve, and may acquire private land for that purpose through land acquisition procedures. The Act prohibits the entering or residing in parks or reserves of any person without authority from the Minister. It also contains extensive provisions regarding other prohibited or restricted activities within such areas. Subsequent parts of the Act address protected species, licences to hunt and take wildlife and hunting methods. With respect to this last issue, the Act states that it shall not be construed as prohibiting the hunting of animals by traditional methods, other than in protected areas. The Act then deals with the regulation of commerce in wildlife and protected species and penalties for violation of the Act.