Trophy Hunting: A Threat to Africa s Wildlife UNSUSTAINABLE PRACTICE RIDDLED WITH CORRUPTION, PUTTING AT RISK AFRICA S WILDLIFE & TOURISM OCTOBER 3 RD, 2017
Global Scale of Trophy Hunting Source: IFAW Report titled Killing for Trophies (2016)
Who are top African exporters? Source: IFAW Report titled Killing for Trophies (2016)
Why this enormous scale? These well-funded trophy hunting membership and lobby groups promote the practice globally, incentivizing the killing through competitions that offer awards and prizes. Safari Club International The European Federation of Associations for Hunting & Conservation Conservation Force Dallas Safari Club Professional Hunter s Association of South Africa International Council for Game and Wildlife Conservation
Trophy Hunting Adds Little Value HSI & Economists at Large issued a report: The Lion s Share? Tanzania Zimbabwe Namibia South Africa Mozambique Zambia Ethiopia Botswana*
$132 Million from Trophy Hunting All Tourism vs. Trophy Hunting Annual Spending and Employment in 8 Countries 15,500 Jobs from Trophy Hunting $17 Billion from Overall Tourism 2.6 Million Jobs from Overall Tourism
Unsustainable Hunting Quotas Tanzania: Lions The lion population in the well-studied areas (Ngorongoro Crater, Katavi, Matambwe (Selous GR), Serengeti, and Tarangire) is estimated to have decreased by 66% (IUCN) 2015 population modelling suggests a 37% probability that lions in East Africa will decline by 50% over the next two decades (Bauer et al. 2015). Tanzania disputes these findings and bases quotas on a variety of unpublished population estimates, methodologies that lack standardization (ex: SCI-funded spoor count in Selous without baseline, undermining its reliability) Zimbabwe: Elephants 2016 Muposhi et al. paper found Matetsi Safari Area trophy tusk sizes declined significantly from 2004-2015, which is one possible indicator hunting there is unsustainable Muposhi study also states quotas may have been based on previous experiences and individual opinions and not based on scientific principles Elephant Management Plan (2015 2020) recognizes population in Sebungwe and mid- Zambezi (poaching), yet trophy hunting continues (note: national-level is 6% since 2001!)
Corruption and Scandal in Trophy Hunting Tanzania Science lacks independence with most scientists relying on hunter $ or fearing retribution Dr. Craig Packer (studied Serengeti lions for decades) was expelled for exposing corruption Dr. Jerry Belant (Mississippi State U. and affiliate of Safari Club International) replaced Packer Independent scientist Dr. Henry Brink was removed from his post studying lions in Selous (top hunting destination for lions) and also replaced by hunter-funded research IGF Foundation (who's mission is to safeguard the world's hunting heritage ) is charged with collection and aging of lion trophies Zimbabwe The year before Cecil, one hunter killed a male just over 2 yo (still with mom). There was no lion quota for 2015 (!). Dentist passed on Jericho (11 yo male) and shot Cecil. No accountability! June 2017 article described how the Tsholotsho Rural District Council sold permits to a safari hunting company, Lodzi Hunters, to hunt 50 elephants in order to get money to fund the construction of a football stadium
Fear Mongering Over Import Restrictions False Claims: Import Restrictions Will Lead To. vacant hunting blocks reduced responsible management decreased incentives for community wildlife management competition from other forms of land use increased poaching and humanwildlife conflict The Truth: Hunting blocks were failing long before bans many hunting blocks were already unviable (no wildlife b/c of poor mgmt) money was diverted into contradictory projects (roads, infrastructure) community incentives were low with officials and outfitters benefitting most Tanzania (with thriving trophy hunting) has devastating elephant poaching Human-wildlife conflict better addressed through improved livestock mgmt, etc.
Trophy Hunting Hurts Tourism National parks where photographic tourism thrives are: core areas providing wildlife that can be hunted in surrounding areas once it voluntarily moves one kilometre outside (1995 Tanzania Policy and Management Plan for Tourist Hunting) Trophy hunting occurs in areas adjacent to protected parks & can be detrimental as hunting depletes wildlife and diminishes tourism s draw Stories like Cecil s damage brand Africa, sending the wrong message to tourists and investors about Africa s wildlife management and government operations Hunting block areas can be attractive not just for tourism, but also other alternative sustainable uses like farming (ex: coffee, cashews, etc.) which maintains land for wildlife
Global Bans and Import Restrictions
THANK YOU! Contact: Masha Kalinina (mkalinina@hsi.org)