These documents represent a sample of the best-available science on the benefits of regulated hunting as a management tool, economic engine, and means to incentivize habitat preservation and tolerance of wildlife as a shared land use. This subject is well-researched. It is also reflected in presentations by range states that rely on sustainable use as part of their national conservation programs and in news articles and op-eds from those with first-hand knowledge of the benefits of conservation hunting.
Scientific Papers
Economic and conservation significance of the trophy hunting industry in sub-Saharan Africa ExpandQuantifying benefits from regulated hunting in southern and East Africa, including a finding that 22% more habitat is conserved in hunting areas than in national parks-a number which has significantly increased over time given the development of community-based conservation and growth of private conservancies.
By Peter A. Lindsey et al., 134 Biological Conservation 455-469 (2007)
Science and the Recreational Hunting of Lions ExpandBy Andrew J. Loveridge et al., in Recreational Hunting, Conservation and Rural Livelihoods (2009)
Concludes that hunting of lions “contributes substantially to protection of habitat, particularly in East and southern Africa” and has negligible impact on lion populations when well-regulated and monitored.
The Significance of African Lions for the Financial Viability of Trophy Hunting and the Maintenance of Wild Land ExpandBy Peter A. Lindsey et al., PLoS ONE 7(1) (Jan. 2012)
Analyzing the potential effects of international restrictions on the hunting of lions, and concluding that given such restrictions, “trophy hunting could potentially become financially unviable across at least 59,538 km 2 that could result in a concomitant loss of habitat,” with additional “broader negative impacts including reduction of competitiveness of wildlife-based land uses relative to ecologically unfavourable alternatives” and reduced tolerance of the species among rural communities. READ THE STUDY.
The Size of Savannah Africa: A Lion’s (Panthera Leo) View ExpandDiscussing lion strongholds, which largely exist in countries where lions are hunted due to the habitat incentives.
By Jason Riggio et al., Biodiversity Conserv 22, 17-35 (2013)
Determinants of Persistence and Tolerance of Carnivores on Namibian Ranches: Implications for Conservation on Southern African Private Lands ExpandBy Peter A. Lindsey et al., PLoS ONE 8(1) (2013)
Assessing human tolerance towards carnivores in Namibia; concluding that hunting helps generate revenues that encourage tolerance and reduce retaliatory offtakes; Safari Club submission for consultation on controls on the import and export of hunting trophies and call for evidence recommending that restrictions on trade in hunting trophies be removed to “help create incentives for conservation of those species”. READ THE STUDY.
The Conservation Equation in Africa ExpandBy Southwick Associates (2014).
Computing the value of hunting tourism in Africa including spending per hunter, job creation, contribution to Gross Domestic Product, etc. READ THE STUDY.
Provisioning of Game Meat to Rural Communities as a Benefit of Sport Hunting in Zambia ExpandBy Paula A. White and Jerrold L. Belant, PLoS ONE 10(2) (2014)
Quantifying the value of meat distributions from hunting to local communities in Zambia and extrapolating results to conclude that hunting in Zambia contributes (at least) 129,771 kg of game meat per year to local communities. READ THE STUDY.
Cape Mountain Zebra 2014/15 Status Report ExpandBy H. Hrabar and G.I.H. Kerley (2015).
Recommending that implementing a national quota for hunting trophies of Cape mountain zebra could encourage greater investment in this species and thereby expand its range and increase its numbers and genetic diversity.
Unexpected and undesired conservation outcomes of wildlife trade bans – An emerging problem for stakeholders? ExpandBy Diana Weber et al., 3 Global Ecology and Conservation 389 (Jan. 2015).
Describing problems associated with trade bans, particularly the reduction of conservation incentives; concluding that the ban in lawful trade in polar bears “has not provided the intended outcome of a reduction in polar bear mortality … but rather contributed to a decline in economic opportunities for Arctic communities” and recommending against use of trade bans that reduce conservation incentives. READ THE STUDY.
The Economic Contributions of Hunting-Related Tourism in Eastern and Southern Africa ExpandBy Southwick Associates (Nov. 2015).
Describing the economic benefits of hunting tourism in eight countries in Africa and concluding (among other things) that the approximately 18,000 hunters per year contributed $326.5 million per year between 2012 and 2014. READ THE STUDY.
Banning Trophy Hunting Will Exacerbate Biodiversity Loss ExpandBy Enrico Di Minin et al., Trends in Ecology and Evolution (2016).
Arguing that blanket bans on hunting or trophy imports are detrimental to conservation efforts because they reduce the financial benefits generated from hunting, remove hunting as a viable land-use (particularly in areas where photographic tourism is not viable or is too damaging on the ecosystem), and fail to account for the fact that hunting “places emphasis on maintaining large wildlife populations for offtake, as opposed to ecotourism, where the presence of only a few individual animals is sufficient to maximize profits” (among other reasons). READ THE STUDY.
Embargo on Lion Hunting Trophies from West Africa: An Effective Measure or a Threat to Lion Conservation? ExpandConcluding that the WAP ecosystem represents the last lion stronghold of West Africa, largely due to incentives from regulated hunting, and “an import embargo on lion trophies from the WAP … could ruin the incentive of local actors to conserve lions in hunting areas, and lead to a drastic reduction of lion range in West Africa”
By Philippe Bouché et al., PLoS One 11(5) (2016)
Complementary benefits of tourism and hunting to communal conservancies in Namibia ExpandBy Robin Naidoo et al., 30 Conservation Biology 628-38 (2016).
Evaluating the benefits from photographic and hunting tourism for communal conservancies in Namibia and finding that total benefits generated were roughly the same but of different character (i.e., benefits from photographic tourism accrued as salaries and benefits from hunting accrued as income for conservancy management and game meat); concluding that 84% of communal conservancies would be unable to operate if hunting were prohibited, while 41% of conservancies would be unable to operate if photographic tourism were banned. READ THE STUDY.
Extreme Wildlife Declines and Concurrent Increase in Livestock Numbers in Kenya: What Are the Causes? ExpandBy Joseph Ogutu et al., PLoS ONE 11(9) (2016).
Analyzing the almost 70% declines in wildlife in Kenya’s rangelands and the contemporaneous increase in livestock between 1977 and 2016; attributing this decline to human population growth, decreasing rainfall, rising temperatures, and “the fundamental cause … policy, institutional and market failures” to incentivize wildlife conservation. READ THE STUDY.
Zimbabwe lion conservation research report 2016: Sport-hunting and lion (Panthera leo) conservation in Zimbabwe ExpandBy Byron du Preez et al. (Jan. 31, 2016).
Describing the steps taken by Zimbabwe to improve management of lion hunting and the conservation benefits provided by lion hunting in Zimbabwe, citing examples from Bubye Valley and Savé Valley Conservancies.
Informing decisions on trophy hunting ExpandDiscussing regulating hunting and providing case studies of where hunting has supported conservation and wildlife management around the world.
By Dilys Roe et al. through the IUCN Sustainable Use and Livelihoods Specialist Group (Apr. 2016)
The Baby and the Bathwater: Trophy Hunting, Conservation and Rural Livelihoods ExpandDescribing the positive impacts of hunting and some arguments against hunting and providing case studies of conservation and wildlife management benefits from hunting.
By R. Cooney et al., Unasylva 249 (2017/1)
Effects of the safari hunting tourism ban on rural livelihoods and wildlife conservation in Northern Botswana ExpandBy Joseph E. Mbaiwa, South African Geographic Journal (2018).
Concluding that the 2014 moratorium on hunting in Botswana reduced tourism benefits for local communities (e.g., loss of income, employment opportunities, social services), and contributed to the development of negative attitudes towards wildlife among rural residents. READ THE STUDY.
The economic impact of trophy hunting in the south African wildlife industry ExpandBby Melville Saayman et al., Global Ecology and Conservation 16 (2018).
Calculating the economic impact of the trophy hunting industry in South Africa and concluding that it generates over $341 million annually for the South African economy and supports more than 17,000 jobs. READ THE STUDY.
African and Asian Rhinoceroses – Status, Conservation and Trade ExpandNoting that regulated hunting incentivizes the conservation of black and white rhinos; reflecting positive black rhino population trends in Namibia and South Africa and largely stable white rhino trends.
By Richard H Emslie et al., CoP18 Doc. 83.1 Annex 2 (2019)
Community-Based Trophy Hunting of Ibex and Markhor in Tajikistan ExpandDescribing the success of Tajikistan’s communal conservancy program, which benefits rural livelihoods and is grounded on sustainable hunting.
By Khalil Karimov, CITES & Livelihoods, Case Study (2019)
The Significance of African Lions for the Financial Viability of Trophy Hunting and the Maintenance of Wild Land ExpandBy Peter Andrew Lindsey, Guy Andrew Balme, Vernon Richard Booth, Neil Midlane. Published January 11, 2012.
Complementary benefits of tourism and hunting to communal conservancies in Namibia ExpandBy Robin Naidoo, L. Chris Weaver, Richard W. Diggle, Greenwell Matongo, Greg Stuart-Hill, and Chris Thouless.
Wildlife Abundance and Diversity as Indicators of Tourism Potential in Northern Botswana ExpandBy Christiaan W. Winterbach, Carolyn Whitesell, Michael J. Somers. August 26, 2015.
Economic returns and allocation of resources in the wildlife sector of Botswana ExpandBy J.I. Barnes. July 5, 2021.
Using Trophy Hunting to Save Wildlife Foraging Resources: A Case Study from Moyowosi-Kigosi Game Reserves, Tanzania ExpandNyangabo V. Musika , James V. Wakibara, Patrick A. Ndakidemi and Anna C. Treydte
Hunter-Gatherers, Farmers, and Environmental Degradation in Botswana ExpandRobert K. Hitchcock, Nicholas Winer, and Melinda C. Kelly
Community-based trophy hunting programs secure biodiversity and livelihoods: Learnings from Asia’s high mountain communities and landscapes ExpandCommunity-based trophy hunting programs in Pakistan and Tajikistan offer both economic and ecological benefits, including financing the protection and conservation of threatened and endangered species and livelihood support to local communities.
- Adhikari, et al. (August 2021)
In this study, authors investigated the consequences of a potential trophy hunting ban in South Africa. Their results suggest that a trophy hunting ban would have many unintended consequences for biodiversity conservation, national economies, and the local livelihoods.
- Parker, et al. (May 2020)
Accurately characterizing wildlife trade and understanding the impact it has on wildlife populations is critical to evaluating international wildlife trade.
- Challender, et al. (August 2021)
Impacts of hunting prohibitions on multidimensional well-being Expand
This study looks at the non-material losses when hunting is banned. The strongest objections to wildlife regulations centered on how they serve to humanize animals while de-humanizing people.
- Strong and Silva (March 2020)
The 2014 US elephant trophy import ban had no influence on quota allocation in Zimbabwe.
- Nyamayadenga, et al. (October 2021)
Investigating how different forms of governance influence conservation outcomes, paying particular attention to the role played by Indigenous peoples and local communities.
- Dawson, et al. (May 2021)
U.S. listing of polar bears, prohibiting the importation of hunting trophies into the U.S., caused a rapid decline in guided hunts and did not reduce the number of polar bears harvested, but it did disrupt the Inuit cultural economy.
- Pearce, et al. (March 2023)
Selected Government Documents
Africa
Letter re: Proposed Rule to List the African Lion Subspecies as Threatened ExpandOpposing the proposed listing of lions under the U.S. Endangered Species Act out of concern for the detrimental impact of barriers to trade on national lion conservation programs.
By Burkina Faso, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe (Jan. 27, 2015)
European Union
Letter from the SADC Group of Ambassadors ExpandLetter from the SADC Group of Ambassadors to the EU on the Biodiversity Strategy
IUCN SULi Letter to European Parliament ExpandIUCN SULi Letter to MEPs Re EP’s resolution on the EU Biodiversity Strategy
Mozambique
Review of the leopard (Panthera pardus) quota of Mozambique, National Administration for Conservation Areas ExpandDescribing sustainable and science-based leopard management in Mozambique and the beneficial impacts of hunting.
(AC30, May 2018)
Namibia
State of Community Conservation in Namibia ExpandDescribing the benefits of wildlife, including conservation hunting, for Namibia’s communal conservancies, and the consequent growth in game populations in these areas.
By NACSO (2017)
Export Quota Review – Namibia, by Ministry of Environment and Tourism ExpandDescribing sustainable and science-based leopard management in Namibia.
(AC30, May 2018)
Conservation Hunting: Namibia Communal Area Conservancies ExpandDescribing Namibia’s internationally acclaimed communal conservancy program.
By Maxi Pia Louis, Director, NACSO (Sept. 2018)
Proposal to transfer the white rhinoceros population of Namibia from Appendix I to Appendix II ExpandDescribing how reduced barriers to trophy trade will incentivize and fund increased conservation of the white rhino in Namibia.
CoP18 Prop. 9 (202019)
Letter from Namibian Association of CBNRM Support Organizations to EP ExpandLetter to the European Parliament on the resolution on the Biodiversity Strategy for 2030.
Written evidence submitted by Community Leaders Network of Southern Africa, Namibian Association of CBNRM Support Organisation, Resource Africa United Kingdom ExpandAn update from the 2017 report. Describing the benefits of wildlife, including conservation hunting, for Namibia’s communal conservancies, and the consequent growth in game populations in these areas.
- MEFT/NACSO (2022)
An update from the 2017 report. Describing the benefits of wildlife, including conservation hunting, for Namibia’s communal conservancies, and the consequent growth in game populations in these areas.
- MEFT/NACSO (2022)
South Africa
Proposal to transfer the Cape Mountain Zebra from Appendix I to Appendix II ExpandDescribing how reduced barriers to trophy trade will incentivize landowners to increase populations of the Cape mountain zebra.
By Republic of South Africa, CoP16 Prop. 6 (2016)
Black Rhinoceros Hunting Trophies: Export Quota for South Africa, by the Republic of South Africa ExpandDescribing how regulated hunting will help to incentivize and fund increased black rhino conservation in South Africa) (This proposal was accepted by the Conference of the Parties to CITES.
By the Republic of South Africa, CoP18 Doc. 48 (2019)
Tanzania
Report on Decision 17.114 regarding African leopard (Panthera pardus) quotas established under Resolution Conf. 10.14 (rev. CoP16) ExpandDescribing sustainable and science-based leopard management in Tanzania and quantifying the benefits of leopard hunting, including wildlife management revenues.
United Republic of Tanzania, Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism (AC30, May 2018)
Conservation status and related impacts of elephants and lion trophy ban to Tanzania ExpandDescribing sustainable and science-based elephant and lion management in Tanzania and quantifying the benefits of hunting, including wildlife management revenues.
By Imani Richard Nkuwi, Director of Wildlife Utilization and Business Services, Tanzania Wildlife Management Authority (Sept. 2018)
United States
Successful conservation efforts result in reclassification of rare Pakistani mountain goat under the Endangered Species Act ExpandDiscussing the healthy and increasing markhor populations in Pakistan and the role of hunting in supporting community based conservation.
By the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Oct. 6, 2014)
How sport-hunting programs are helping to conserve Argali Sheep by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ExpandDescribing the healthy populations of argali sheep in Central Asia and the role of hunting in supporting conservation and incentivizing habitat protection and anti-poaching.
By the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Nov. 13, 2017)
Negumbo Declaration of Republic of Namibia, Ministry of Environment and Tourism ExpandDeclaration by Simeon N. Negumbo on behalf of the Ministry of Environment of Namibia regarding Namibia’s recovery strategy for black rhino incorporating biological management and regulated hunting.
Dr. Michael Knight Rhino Declaration ExpandDeclaration by Dr. Michael H. Knight, Chair, IUCN African Rhino Specialist Group and SADC (Southern African Development Community) Rhino Management Group regarding rhino management strategies.
Black Rhino Enhancement Finding ExpandEnhancement finding for the import of a sport-hunted black rhinoceros trophy taken in Namibia during 2017
Zambia
Non detrimental findings report for African leopard sport hunting in Zambia ExpandDescribing sustainable and science-based leopard management in Zambia and quantifying the benefits of leopard hunting.
Department of National Parks and Wildlife (AC30, May 2018)
Zimbabwe
The role of trophy hunting of elephant in support of the Zimbabwe CAMPFIRE Program ExpandDescribing the crucial role that elephant hunting plays in generating conservation incentives for Zimbabwe’s internationally recognized (and heavily supported by the U.S. Agency for International Development) rural community conservation program.
By CAMPFIRE Association (Dec. 2016). Read the document
Zimbabwe’s review of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) Leopard (Panthera pardus) quota ExpandDescribing sustainable and science-based leopard management in Tanzania and quantifying the benefits of leopard hunting, including wildlife management revenues
Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (AC30, May 2018)
Sustainable wildlife management in Zimbabwe Expand
Describing sustainable and science-based wildlife management in Zimbabwe and quantifying the benefits of hunting.
By Roseline Mandisodza-Chikerema, Chief Ecologist, Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (Sept. 2018)
Statement presented by the Republic of Zimbabwe on the Proposed Bill H.R. 2245 ExpandExplaining the implementation of sustainable and science-based management of elephant and lions, pursuant to a number of management plans, as well as the benefits of hunting for Zimbabwe’s rural communities and for sustaining the wildlife authority.
By Patience Gandiwa (July 18, 2019)
Presentations
Sustainable Wildlife Utilization: Hunting as a Conservation Tool ExpandBy Joseph E. Mbaiwa, Okavango Research Institute, University of Botswana (Sept. 2018).
Discussing documented benefits of hunting for rural communities in Botswana; describing results of study on impact of 2014 suspension of hunting on rural communities including revenue and job loss, increased intolerance for elephants and other species. READ THE PRESENTATION.
A Market Approach to Wildlife Conservation in Africa ExpandBy Hannah Downey and Catherine Semcer, Property and Environment Research Center (Mar. 2019).
Recommending changes to U.S. policy to improve engagement with African countries, increase conservation benefits, and achieve international development goals. READ THE PRESENTATION.
Prepared statement of Catherine E. Semcer, Research Fellow, Property and Environment Research Center ExpandPrepared statement of Catherine E. Semcer, Research Fellow, Property and Environment Research Center (July 18, 2019).
Discussing the importance of U.S. policy in encouraging conservation, including hunting. READ THE PRESENTATION.
Management of Protected Areas and the Political Economy of Conservation in Africa ExpandBy Brian Child, University of Florida (Oct. 16-17, 2019).
Drawing lessons from management of lands and wildlife for over 70 years in Africa; recommending methods of “rewilding” including giving local stakeholders incentives to rely on wildlife instead of agriculture and cattle; noting that hunting pays for 80% of initial rewilding. READ THE PRESENTATION.
An overview of Zambia’s National Parks and Wildlife Estate ExpandPresented by Rose Chivumba Commercial Manager Zambia Wildlife Authority
SUSTAINABLE WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT IN ZIMBABWE ExpandMrs. Roseline Mandisodza-Chikerema, Chief Ecologist Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority
Rally Forge ICG Statement Expand Written evidence submitted by Community Leaders Network of Southern Africa, Namibian Association of CBNRM Support Organisation, Resource Africa United Kingdom ExpandProposed bans on the import of hunting trophies into the UK will not support the conservation of endangered species, but rather undermine successful community-based conservation in several African countries.
- CLN, RAUK, NACSO (August 2021)
Expert Testimonials (Op-Eds)
Black Rhino Hunt: Why Killing One Bull Is Worth It For Conservation ExpandExplaining how regulated hunting benefits black rhinos through increasing available range, removing problem bulls that depress reproductive rates, and generating funding to be reinvested in rhino conservation.
By Mike Knight and Richard Emslie, CNN.com (May 21, 2015)
Why Killing Lions Like Cecil May Actually Be Good For Conservation ExpandExplaining how lion hunting benefits conservation in Zimbabwe and southern Africa.
By Niki Rust and Diogo Verissimo, CNN.com (July 30, 2015)
How Trophy Hunting Can Save Lions ExpandArguing against overreaction to public response regarding the harvest of Cecil the lion in 2015 because of the crucial role that regulated hunting plays in conserving lions.
By Terry L. Anderson and Shawn Regan, Wall Street Journal (Aug. 6, 2015)
Prince William Is Talking Sense – Trophy Hunting Is Crucial To Conservation ExpandDefending hunting from the viewpoint of scientists who see its value for rhino conservation.
By Richard Emslie and Michael Knight, Chairs of the IUCN African Rhino Specialist Group, Independent (Mar. 19, 2016)
The Voice Missing From The Trophy Hunting Debate? Africans ExpandPointing out the challenge of living with wildlife experienced by rural Africans and arguing that those voices must be listened to in debates over hunting.
By Rosie Cooney, Chair of the IUCN Sustainable Use and Livelihoods Specialist Group, Washington Post (Nov. 21, 2017)
Hunting Can Be Good for Lions and Elephants ExpandExplaining why hunting is beneficial for lion and elephant conservation, specifically contrasting hunting and poaching.
By Terry L. Anderson and Hannah Downey, Wall Street Journal (Nov. 28, 2017)
Trophy Hunting Bans Imperil Biodiversity ExpandExplaining why blanket bans on hunting and imports/exports will have negative effects for wildlife conservation.
Science Magazine (2019)
Trophy Hunting, Part Three: Not Quite the End of the Game Expand
Refuting assertion that the IUCN concluded that trophy hunting is not a component of conservation and providing specific examples of how hunting benefits wildlife and rural livelihoods in southern and East Africa.
By Dilys Roe (Chair of the IUCN Sustainable Use and Livelihoods Specialist Group) et al., Daily Maverick (May 13, 2019)
We Are Having the Wrong Discussion About Hunting Tourism ExpandExplaining why conservationists should support regulated hunting, rather than seek to ban it based on emotion or distorted facts; pointing out the success of wildlife in countries that rely on hunting as part of their conservation system compared to countries that do not.
By Jens Ulrik Hogh, International Policy Tribune (June 11, 2019)
Trophy Hunting is an Essential Brick in the Wall of Sound African Conservation Practice ExpandExplaining, with specific examples from the author’s experience in Ethiopia, that non-consumptive use and sustainable consumptive use are both necessary for conservation to achieve its fullest potential benefits.
By Jason Roussos, Daily Maverick (June 12, 2019)
Hunting elephants Will Help Them Survive ExpandExplaining the reasons for re-opening elephant hunting in Botswana.
By H.E. Mokgweetsi Masisi, Wall Street Journal (June 19, 2019)
Listen to the Facts: Licensed, Regulated Hunting is Key to Wildlife Conservation in Africa ExpandSpeaking from experience as Zimbabwe wildlife authority manager about how regulated hunting helps mitigate the primary threats facing lions and elephants in Africa.
By George Pangeti, Daily Caller (July 21, 2019)
Conservationists Should Support Trophy Hunting ExpandDescribing, based on the author’s research, some of the benefits of regulated hunting and the limitations on photographic tourism as a replacement for those benefits in arguing against international restrictions on hunting or trade in hunting trophies.
By Catherine Semcer (Sept. 6, 2019)
CECIL Act Would Destroy Local Conservation Programs ExpandExplaining from the viewpoint of the head of Zimbabwe’s wildlife authority why stricter domestic measures in the U.S. would detrimentally impact wildlife conservation and rural community livelihoods in Zimbabwe.
By Fulton Upenyu Mangwanya, Director General, Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority, Washington Examiner (Sept. 18, 2019)
Trophy Hunting: A Plea To Appreciate That Not All Is Black And White ExpandArguing from the viewpoint of a non-hunting research scientist why banning hunting will negatively impact wildlife and habitat.
By Paolo Strampelli, Conservation Frontlines (Jan. 2020)
The True Value of Trophy Hunting ExpandDefending hunting, from the viewpoint of a zoologist and non-hunter based on first-hand observations in southern Africa, for preserving habitat and generating incentives to protect and conserve wildlife.
By Adam Hart, The Critic (Jan. 2020)
Saving Africa’s Lions Will Rely On Evidence Around trophy Hunting, Not Emotion: Hunting Plays A Major Role In Funding and Protecting Wildlife ExpandDiscussing the negative impacts of a ban in importing regulated hunting trophies.
By Amy Dickman and Catherine E. Semcer, The Hill (Feb. 5, 2020)
Despite COVID-19, Using Wild Species May Still Be The Best Way To Save Them ExpandDiscussing the benefits of sustainable use and why photographic tourism is not a panacea for funding conservation in Africa.
By Dilys Roe, International Institute for Environment and Development (Apr. 1, 2020)
How California Legislation Would Be Harmful for African Wildlife Conservation Efforts ExpandExplaining the negative impact of an importation ban in California, one of the largest markets for international trophies, because of reduced conservation incentives.
By Fulton Upenyu Mangwanya (June 17, 2020)
Hunting Proceeds Benefit the Vulnerable ExpandBy Tinashe Farawo, Sunday Mail (Zimbabwe) (July 19, 2020)
Ban On Hunting Trophies Risks Funding For Healthy African Ecosystems ExpandThe ability of African nations to conserve ecosystems would be undermined by a bill that would ban Californians from hunting and possessing hunting trophies. READ MORE.
In conservation efforts, US must support African countries Expand Catherine E. Semcer, Urs P. Kreuter, & Brian Child. November 17, 2021. Read the article here. Hunting Helps Conserve African Wildlife Habitat ExpandSeptember 2015, Volume 13-4
“I’m writing in defense of hunting in Africa from the viewpoint of a biologist who has devoted half a century to studying, writing about and promoting conservation of its unequalled wealth of ‘big game.'”
Hunting trophy import bans proposed by the UK may be ineffective and inequitable as conservation policies in multiple social-ecological contexts ExpandA group of conservation scientists, scholars, and practioners, disapprove of the United Kingdom’s government attempt to prohibit the importation of hunting trophies. The authors highlight that trophy import bans cause more problems than the solve.
- Clark, et al. (January 2023)
An insight into the downfalls of CITES listing decisions and three key changes to ensure CITES decisions more effectively respond to the needs of wildlife in today’s highly complex and dynamic conservation context.
- Cooney, et al. (April 2021)
The legal hunting of African rhinos enhances population demography and genetic diversity, encourages range expansion, and generates meaningful socioeconomic benefits to help fund effective conservation.
- t’Sas-Rolfes, et al. (March 2022)
All out trophy bans do not disincentivize trophy hunting, rather they result in fewer jobs, less conservation funding, and less tolerance for wildlife. Smart bans promote sustainability and community rights and may encourage improved regulation of the global hunting industry and support development goals and incentivize better conservation.
- Webster, et al. (June 2022)
PERC tackles three common misconceptions commonly spread by anti-trophy hunting campaign groups.
- Semcer and Child (February 2021)
Oxford professors highlight current flaws in CITES listing decisions, while pushing for more thorough evaluations of listing proposals. They argue evaluations should involve scenario analyses to explore feasible outcomes, explicitly consider market and socio-economic factors, and highlight areas of uncertainty.
- Challender, et al. (April 2019)
Maxi Louis, director of the Namibian Association of Community-Based Natural Resource Management Support Organizations (NACSO), warns that the peremptory banning of legitimate hunting activity will undermine all the advances Southern African countries have made over the past decades.
- Louis (June 2022)
International policy-makers should reject laws and policies that ignore African perspectives and trample Africans rights as custodians of wildlife. Now more than ever, Africans need to be included in conversations about African wildlife.
- Community Leaders Network (2022)
Over fifty community leaders, representing millions of people across southern Africa, urge UK-based celebrities to stop using their influence to undermine the human rights of impoverished people and jeopardize wildlife conservation in the region.
- Resource Africa (July 2020)
“But it must be remembered that in Africa there is more wildlife habitat designated for hunting, and therefore protected from poaching, than there are national parks or reserves. If you cause the hunting industry to collapse or be banned without a sustainable and locally supported alternative in place, the habitat for all wildlife there will be lost.”
- Stoddard (March 2023)
News / Magazine Articles and Blogs
Return of the Markhor, by Stefan Michel, Contractor with the German development cooperation agency GIZ, Sports Afield ExpandDescribing the incentives generated by regulated hunting for community-based conservation in Tajikistan and resultant increase in markhor and snow leopard populations. READ THE ARTICLE.
Elephant kills man as animal-human conflicts rise in Zimbabwe Expand“A 71-year old South African tourist was trampled to death by an elephant “in full view” of his son at Zimbabwe’s Mana Pools National Park, the country’s parks agency said today, days after another fatal encounter with an elephant occurred in a separate park.” READ THE ARTICLE
Bontebok: Back from the brink, by Joseph Mulders ExpandExplaining the recovery of bontebok populations in South Africa due in large part to the contributions of regulated hunting. READ THE ARTICLE.
Tajikistan brings endangered wild goat from the edge of extinction to the peak of hope, by National Geographic (June 11, 2014) ExpandExplaining the benefits of markhor hunting for communities in Tajikistan and the recovery of the species, as well as its predators (snow leopard and brown bear). READ THE ARTICLE.
Trophy imports suspension impact on CAMPFIRE communities, by Charles Jonga, Director, CAMPFIRE Association, NewsDay Zimbabwe (June 24, 2014) ExpandDescribing the many benefits that hunting brings to Zimbabwe’s community-based natural resources management program, CAMPFIRE, and how trophy import bans diminish those benefits. READ THE ARTICLE.
How hunters and artists helped save North America’s waterfowl, by Alexandra Class Freeman (2015) ExpandDescribing the success of the U.S. Duck Stamp program in recovering the wood duck and other waterfowl. READ THE ARTICLE.
A hunting ban saps a village’s livelihood, by Norimitsu Onishi, New York Times (Sept. 12, 2015) ExpandReporting on the detrimental impact of the moratorium on hunting in Botswana to rural communities. READ THE ARTICLE.
What if we banned trophy hunting in Africa?, by Conservation This Week (Oct. 23, 2015) ExpandDiscussing study by researcher in Namibia that quantified the detrimental impact of banning hunting. READ THE ARTICLE.
Six examples where hunting helped preserve wildlife, by Brad Fitzpatrick (July 25, 2016) ExpandReporting on the crucial role of hunting in preserving wildlife habitat and the resultant recovery of six species (waterfowl, Bukharan markhor, Cape buffalo, whitetail deer, wild turkey, and bighorn sheep). READ THE ARTICLE.
Mozambique: 6,000 animals to rewild park is part-funded by trophy hunting, by Jeremy Hance, The Guardian Weekly (June 19, 2017) ExpandDescribing translocation of wildlife from conservancy in Zimbabwe that is almost wholly funded by hunting revenues to restock park in Mozambique. READ THE ARTICLE.
Why you shouldn’t be outraged by elephant hunting, by Wes Siler, Outdoor Online (Nov. 20, 2017) ExpandDefending the issuance of permits to import elephant trophies into the U.S. based on how hunting can counteract the primary threats of habitat loss and poaching. READ THE ARTICLE.
Living in an elephant landscape, by Jonathan Salerno et al., American Scientist (Jan.-Feb. 2018) ExpandDescribing the negative impacts of the hunting moratorium in Botswana on communitybased conservation. READ THE ARTICLE.
Utah’s front line against poaching, by Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (Feb. 13, 2018) ExpandExplaining how hunters in the field contribute to anti-poaching in the U.S. READ THE ARTICLE.
A U.S. hunter paid $110,000 to shoot a Pakistani goat, by Marc Silver, NPR (Feb. 14, 2019) ExpandInterviewing Shafqat Hussain, an anthropology professor at Trinity College and National Geographic “emerging explorer,” about the benefits of markhor hunting for communities in Pakistan and the recovery of the species. READ THE ARTICLE.
How hunting black rhino contributes to conservation in Namibia, by Chris Brown and Gail C. Potgieter, Africa Geographic (Oct. 10, 2019) ExpandExplaining how black rhino hunting provides conservation benefits in Namibia, specifically refuting public outcry against U.S. allowing importation of black rhino trophy. READ THE ARTICLE.
Trophy hunting and conservation science, by Andrew Wyatt, Conservation Frontlines (Jan. 2020) ExpandExplaining why stricter domestic measures in the U.S. would have no conservation benefit for wildlife in Africa. READ THE ARTICLE.
Dzoti and Namibia’s wildlife successes, by Helge Denker, Conservation Frontlines (Jan. 2020) ExpandDescribing benefits from regulated hunting in Dzoti Conservancy in Namibia. READ THE ARTICLE.
Morality and conservation: It’s a conundrum, isn’t it?, by Tony Weaver, first published in Die Burger (South Africa) (Jan. 2020) ExpandProviding a scientific and technical response to moral objections to hunting. READ THE ARTICLE.
Urban residents also benefit from safari hunting – the untold story, by Emmanuel Koro, The Chronicle (Jan. 22, 2020) ExpandDescribing financial and livelihood benefits to workers in the safari hunting industry and related industries across southern Africa, in both rural and more urban areas. READ THE ARTICLE.
Hunting and Photo-Tourism Can Complement Each Other – Expert ExpandBy Sunday Standard Reporter, Sunday Standard (Mar. 10, 2020)
How Trophy-Hunting Saved The Markhor, The Express Tribune (March 13, 2021) ExpandAccording to provincial wildlife department, the introduction of trophy-hunting has helped the local Markhor population grow from a mere 600 in Chitral to approximately 4,000 to 5,000 goats in the last three decades. “Locals would previously hunt down the goats in excess, much of which was illegal and brought our Markhor population close to extinction.
To save the population, we shut down all Markhor-hunting activities and introduced trophy-hunting, which is greatly controlled and generates revenue. The first foreigner to be allowed to hunt was a German who paid $1,500 in 1998 for a single goat. Today, shooting a Markhor can cost upwards of $150,000, which was last paid by an American hunter in 2019,” shared an official of the wildlife department.
Southern African countries to lose billions as UK plans to ban importation of hunting trophies Expand Trophy hunting for economic growth? Sustainable uses of natural resources is economically attractive to local communities as a long-term strategy ExpandRevenues from trophy hunting have been utilized by community conservation funds to provide clean drinking water, hire female teachers, launch vocational training centers for women, renovate local schools, and provide medical treatments.
- Farhan (May 2021)
Director of the Zambia Department of National Parks and Wildlife, Dr. Chuma Simukonda, put a spotlight on the unwelcome Western dictatorship of wildlife management in Africa, including the countless attempts to ban international hunting which harm Zambian’s interests, rather than bolster them, as claimed.
- Koro (July 2022)
Former colonial powers seeking to pass laws that threaten the rights and livelihoods of rural African communities and their wildlife, need to consider this impact and hear what Africans have to say about it first.
- Community Leaders Network (June 2022)
Representatives of African rural communities lead a mission to explain how proposed legislation undermines their rights, livelihoods, and wildlife conservation efforts.
- Resource Africa and Community Leaders Network (July 2022)
Botswana hunting communities conserve wildlife that usually harms them because the benefits from international hunting are far greater than the cost of human-wildlife conflict.
- Koro (March 2023)
Survey explored the levels of support for the UK trophy hunting ban depending on how it would impact wildlife conservation efforts as well as marginalized rural communities.
- Vinogradova (October 2021)