1. The wildlife landscape in southern Africa is characterized by a series of contradictions and these include: burgeoning and declining wildlife populations; sustainable and unsustainable use: a massive wildlife industry and under supported wildlife management research; legal and illegal exploitation; conflicts and coexistence; evidence-based and opinion-based management; supportive and counterproductive policy. These conflicting scenarios and ideas provide a fertile framework for wildlife scientists, managers, policy makers and students to bring their differing view to this forum, and contribute towards a meaningful debate.