Although the utilization of wild life in certain sectors is only in its infancy, it shows vigour and promises to become a well-established industry. Economic succes is the only way to ensure a lasting conservation policy. Considering that the contribution to the gross national product in SWA of the game industry on white farming areas exceeded R8 1/2 million as well as the gross income from game reserves and resorts of more than R2 1/2 million, there can be no doubt on the importance of wild life as a natural resource in SWA.