Ecologists believe the enlarged reserve could be a showcase, provide thousands of jobs and attract tourists.

But about 100 farmers whose lands border or overlap the proposed boundaries say that livelihoods will have to be sacrificed and that hundreds of families could be affected by job losses.

The proposed Greater Addo National Park would cover an area of 368 000ha, compared with the current 12 000ha, and encompass the existing Addo National Park, the Tootabie and Woody Cape nature reserves and resuscitate large tracts of degraded farmland.

But farmers believe the National Parks Board should first use the large area of undeveloped property it already owns in the area which, they say, is a haven for jackals and lynxes which prey on their mohair, sheep and dairy herds.

The board says it has no intention of imposing its will on any of the affected parties and will seek to please all concerned through negotiations.

One group of farmers has asked for a full economic evaluation of the potential earnings of the Addo scheme against the lost revenue from dairy, sheep and mohair farming.

The Port Elizabeth Dairy Farmer's Union says the reserve would incorporate prime land which cannot be replaced.

"We naturally could not have expected everyone to agree to the proposal," the board's communications head, Fanyana Shiburi, told the Sunday Times. "But through negotiation we're confident that we'll eventually find agreement on it."

The document - produced by the terrestrial ecology research unit at the University of Port Elizabeth and sent to Land Affairs Minister Derek Hanekom and Environment and Tourism Minister Pallo Jordan - has received widespread approval in other quarters.

Tourism bosses and conservationists have welcomed the plans to bolster the black rhino and elephant populations, and introduce two prides of lion, which would put the reserve on the international wildlife map.

a 57 000ha marine reserve - incorporating Bird and St Croix islands - would also mean protection for the southern right whale, humpback dolphin and jackass penguin.

A group of 17 Kromme River farmers - whose 9 000ha would be included in the new park - have already thrown their weight behind the proposal, saying it would represent a huge financial boost for the region.

They have expressed their willingness to be bought out - so long as they're not left out of pocket.

"Some farmers see the opportunity of selling as a way of getting out," said Kommadagga farmer Gert Schoombie, one of those opposed to the scheme. "But for the remaining majority it is an absolute nightmare."

"We were totally taken aback when we first heard of this," said Donald Watson, chairman of the Zuurberg Wool and Mohair Growers' Association.

"We feel the parks board has to go into this a lot more carefully. We accept that it is a long-term task but the land it already owns must be properly developed. It has remained fallow for 10 to 15 years while we have had to put up with the vermin that breed there."

He said up to 200 families in the area could be affected if the expansion plans in their present form go ahead.