Trophy Hunting

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Richprins
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Re: Trophy Hunting

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Until the law is changed moaning is pointless. Surely these eco-warriors have other things to do? :O^


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Re: Trophy Hunting

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Trophy hunting and other tourism don't do well together, there is growing disgust from tourists and this might damage the image of a destination.


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Re: Trophy Hunting

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But the tourism destinations have nothing whatsoever to do with hunting. It is just the bitter warriors spitting their dummies at weaker targets, IMO. :no:


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Re: Trophy Hunting

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In Southern Africa lots of tourist destinations have Trophy hunting or their neighbours offer Trophy hunting.


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Re: Trophy Hunting

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South Africa gets go-ahead to increase black rhino trophy hunting

Damian Carrington in Geneva
@dpcarrington
Mon 19 Aug 2019 17.28 BST Last modified on Mon 19 Aug 2019 17.57 BST


Conservation groups split on impact of move agreed at international wildlife summit

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There are now about 5,000 black rhinos, almost 2,000 of them in South Africa. Photograph: Pierre-Philippe Marcou/AFP/Getty Images

South Africa has won permission to almost double the number of black rhinos that can be killed as trophies after arguing the money raised will support conservation of the critically endangered species.

The decision was made at the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (Cites) after receiving support from some African nations and opposition from others.

Poachers supplying the illegal trade in rhino horn decimated numbers in the past but the population is now growing. About 5,000 black rhinos exist today, almost 2,000 of them in South Africa.

Since 2003, South Africa has been allowed to sell hunting rights for five black rhinos a year. The latest decision means it can take up to 0.5% of the population, meaning nine rhinos at today’s levels. South Africa said adult males would be targeted, to protect breeding females.

The request was opposed by Gabon, whose delegate said: “It is a very small population and threatened by poaching.” Kenya’s delegate said the move, along with poaching, would mean almost half the black rhino population increase each year being lost. NGOs also opposed the move, with Born Free’s delegate noting South Africa rarely used its existing quota.

But South Africa was supported by other rhino range states including Botswana, Zimbabwe and Eswatini (formerly Swaziland), as well as the EU and Canada. South Africa agreed not to use the full quota if the rhino population fell below a certain level, but did not specify what this would be.

Tom Milliken of Traffic, a wildlife trade monitoring group, said the higher quota could help increase black rhino numbers. Older males could cause conflicts, prevent younger males from breeding and even kill females, he said. “It is a positive: you are basically preventing bar-room brawls and getting faster reproduction rates going,” Milliken said.

He said the black rhino was one of the highest-priced trophy animals, costing tens of thousands of dollars to hunt. “It really is providing conservation funds,” Milliken said.

But Elizabeth Bennett of the Wildlife Conservation Society said: “WCS remains concerned about the impact of illegal hunting and trafficking of black rhinos for their horns. We encourage major efforts to ensure their protection, the prevention of trafficking, and that any trophy hunting is truly sustainable and supports, not undermines, the conservation of the species.”

An earlier vote at the Cites meeting delivered a ban on wild African elephants being exported to zoos. Zimbabwe has sold dozens of elephants to Chinese attractions in recent years. The new rule says the only acceptable destinations are wild, native habitats.

The vote outcome could be overturned in the final session of the summit, which signs off all decisions. This is because the EU, which opposed the move, failed to vote.

Ivonne Higuero, the secretary general of Cites, said: “There was some confusion about credentials [proofs of identity required to vote]. Maybe there was a lack of preparation. Everyone can raise their voice at [the final session].”

The meeting of 183 nations, being held in Geneva, also considered the plight of sea creatures, and there was unanimous support for giving seahorses more high-profile protection. They are much sought after in the aquarium trade and for traditional Chinese medicine.

Cites has restricted international trade in all 44 seahorse species since 2002. Trade in live and dried specimens has fallen by 75% and 90% respectively in the past decade, but many millions still change hands each year.

The US delegate told the summit: “They are vulnerable because of their low birth rate, long parental care and habitat degradation. Ongoing illegal trade poses a threat to the survival of the species.”

The summit also agreed to increase focus on the soaring trade in marine ornamental fish, including many coral reef fish and sharks. The trade supplying public and private aquariums has increased 60-fold since 2000, with 1.5bn fish now sold each year.

The EU delegate said: “There is an obvious need to assess the trade as [it is] one of the major threats.” However, the European Pet Association said the approved Cites initiative was not balanced.


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Re: Trophy Hunting

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South Africa has won permission to almost double the number of black rhinos that can be killed as trophies after arguing the money raised will support conservation of the critically endangered species.
How is this possible :-?


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Re: Trophy Hunting

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Zambian communities halt trophy hunting in dispute over fees

BY SWATI THIYAGARAJAN - 18TH SEPT 2019 - THE SOUTH AFRICAN

The Community Resources Boards (CRB) in Zambia on Thursday released a press statement expressing their deep concern over the fact that the communities have not been given their share of either concession fees or the hunting revenues.

- “It is our land. We are the custodians.” – Felix Shanungu, President of the Zambia National Community Resources Board (ZNCRB).

They have withdrawn their signatures to all the hunting permits in their areas and have refused to sign any others. This will stop any trophy hunting in the future unless the government comes to the table with money in hand.

According to Felix Shanungo, the communities have received no concession fees since 2016 and no hunting revenue since last year. By law, the communities are entitled to 20% of the concession fees and 50% of the hunting revenue. The chiefs who run the communities are owed a 5% share of both.

This news follows the halting of a controversial hunt of 1 200 hippo in Zambia earlier this year.

While the press release states that they will stop all hunting going forward, Mr. Shanungo advised that hunts already underway will be allowed to be completed but that all new hunts will be stopped. The CRB has been in talks with the hunting companies to warn them about this and to get them to put pressure on the Zambian government. He added that the communities do not want to penalise the hunting companies who have paid but want the pressure to galvanise government into action.

He said that it will be impossible for the communities to continue patrolling and protecting against poaching as people have not been paid their salaries in months.

The communities’ demands

The communities have two demands: To allow the hunting operators to pay the CRBs their share directly and that the concession fees must be re-negotiated for a higher share.

Various hunting outfits claim that trophy hunting brings USD200 million into the sub-Saharan Africa economy. This figure was published in the academic journal Biological Conservation and is often used to defend hunting, a claim hotly contested by conservationists who contend that less than 3% of hunting revenues actually go to communities. The same paper claimed that this figure was accumulated by 18 500 hunters. In comparison, a World Bank report estimated that close to 33.8 million people visit the region (mainly for wildlife tourism) and contribute USD36 billion. Most tourists who come to visit for the wildlife do not realise that hunting is allowed in these countries; it is believed that Africa’s reputation will suffer if this fact was more widely known.

The wildlife areas in Zambia are divided into the National Parks (where no hunting is allowed) and game management areas (GMA) which act as a buffer between the parks, farmlands and private hunting reserves. Legally, there has to be revenue sharing from hunting and concession fees with the communities in the GMAs – this is called Community Based Natural Resources Management (CBNRM). In order to ensure the money is delivered and managed, several CRBs were created.

With growing concerns over biological collapse in the time of the sixth mass extinction, it is only a matter of time before global pressure phases out hunting all together. It seems better for the countries in question to determine their own phasing out process. This will allow them to focus on community based eco-tourism where revenue can go directly to communities, and to expand the tourism sector versus allowing the killing of some of the most spectacular treasures we have on this planet.

Original Article: https://www.thesouthafrican.com/opinion ... over-fees/


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Re: Trophy Hunting

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Trophy hunting in Zambia to be suspended due to non-payment of hunting fees to communities

Posted on September 26, 2019 by Africa Geographic Editorial in the NEWS DESK post series.

NEWS DESK POST with information sourced from Zambia National Community Resources Board Association

The Zambia National Community Resources Board Association (ZNCRBA) has called for the immediate suspension of trophy hunting in all hunting blocks until the government releases all funds owed to communities through the individual Community Resource Boards (CRBs).


In a statement (see end of article) issued to the media by the CRBs, communities have received no concession fees since 2016 and no hunting revenue since 2018. The statement points out that by law, the CRBs are entitled to 15% of the concession fees and 45% of the hunting revenue, while the chiefs who run the communities receive 5% of both. The CRBs use these funds to support employment of over 1,000 community scouts, community coordinators and bookkeepers, and to support community development projects (including the establishment of bore holes, schools and clinics) in the game management areas (GMAs).

In Zambia, wildlife areas are divided into the national parks (where no hunting is allowed) and game management areas (GMA), which act as a buffer between the parks, farmlands and private hunting reserves. Legally, there has to be revenue-sharing from hunting and concession fees with the communities in the GMAs.

“It is regrettable that since the transformation of Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA) in 2015 into Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW), the communities and their Royal Highnesses have been denied their share of income from the concession fees. This is a clear violation of the spirit of devolved wildlife governance. Their Royal Highnesses and CRBs should actually have been retaining the 100% of the concession fees as they are owners of the customary land,” the statement read.

The CRBs have now withdrawn their signatures to all the hunting permits in their areas and have refused to sign any others. This will stop any trophy hunting in the future unless the government pays the funds owed.

In the statement the CRBs claim that in 2012 a conference was held with communities, the government and stakeholders where progressive resolutions were agreed to: Firstly, to allow hunting operators to pay the CRBs their share of the revenue directly, and vice versa for government fees. And secondly, the sharing of concession fees were to be reviewed in order to allow the communities – the land owners in GMAs – to receive a higher share. These resolutions “would have avoided the current problems” if they had ever been implemented.

“We are immediately calling for the suspension of the hunting activities in all hunting blocks of Zambia,” the statement continues. “We as signatories to the hunting concession agreement have withdrawn our support – making the existing agreements null and void. We would be working with our community scouts and community members to prevent any further hunt until the matter is resolved. All hunting camps in GMAs will be secured to block any attempt to re-open hunting.”

While the press release states that they will stop all hunting going forward, hunts already underway will be allowed to be completed. The CRBs concludes the statement by appealing to hunting operators to engage with the government to release the funds belonging to communities or sue the government for any loss of business as a result of their action.

Below is the statement shared by the Zambia National Community Resources Board Association (ZNCRBA)

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© Zambia National Community Resources Board Association (ZNCRBA)


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Re: Trophy Hunting

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Trump Admin Grants First Lion Trophy Import Permit Since Listed as Threatened

BY JORDAN DAVIDSON - 13TH SEPT 2019 - ECOWATCH.COM

A Florida man has been allowed to import a Tanzanian lion’s skin, skull, claws and teeth, a first since the animal was listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act, according to US Fish and Wildlife Service records uncovered by the Center for Biological Diversity through the Freedom of Information Act.

The documents show that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service issued a permit in May for hunter, Carl Atkinson, to bring home the lion trophy which was taken from a game preserve in July or August, according to Courthouse News. The hunter’s attorney, John Jackson III, is a member of the Interior Department’s own International Wildlife Conservation Council, which Ryan Zinke created as Secretary of the Interior to highlight the “economic benefits that result from US citizens traveling to foreign nations to engage in hunting,” as CNN reported.

“This is tragic news for lion conservation, and it suggests that the Trump administration may soon open the floodgates to trophy imports from Tanzania,” said Tanya Sanerib, international legal director at the Center for Biological Diversity, in a statement. “Tanzania is a lion stronghold, but it’s been criticized by scientists for corruption and inadequate wildlife protections. Opening the U.S. market to these imports doesn’t bode well for the lion kings of Tanzania.”

Tanzania is thought to be home to 40 percent of Africa’s lions, though exact populations are difficult to count. It has a history of mismanaging populations of lions, elephants and other threatened animals. By allowing hunters to bring their trophies back to the U.S. there are ripple effects. Hunters often seek out mature male lions, which make desirable trophies. Yet, killing one lion often leads to the death of many more. Since those mature male lions are usually pack leaders, a new pack leader will move in and assert dominance by killing the hunted lion’s offspring, resulting in the loss of many lions, as the Center for Biological Diversity noted.

There is no evidence in the acquired documents acquired that the Fish and Wildlife Service considered this in assessing Atkinson’s permit application. However, Sanerib said the occurrence is so well-documented that she has absolute faith the agency is aware that the import authorization results in the death of more than just one lion. The outcome is not only harmful because of the death of additional lions but because it diminishes the genetic pool, she said, as Courthouse News reported.

Sanerib also fears that the Fish and Wildlife Service will start to ramp up the speed with which it processes these applications, opening the door for big game hunting. The Trump administration has already lifted an Obama era ban on elephant trophy imports from Zimbabwe. The Trump administration also recently allowed a Michigan hunter to import the skin, skull and horns from a rare black rhinoceros he shot in Namibia, according to the Independent.

The rhino hunter was also represented by Jackson who says his group Conservation Force is protecting animals, claiming that hunting promotes healthy populations in the wild.

“I’m working to save wildlife from animal protectionists,” Jackson said, as CNN reported.

Sanerib worries that the influx of money into Tanzania from wealthy hunters will imperil more than just lions.

“We’re waiting for the other shoe to drop, and it may land on Tanzania’s elephants,” said Sanerib, in statement. “This administration reversed course and lifted the ban on elephant trophy imports from Zimbabwe. I’m worried Trump officials will do the same for Tanzania. In the face of the global extinction crisis, we shouldn’t let rich Americans kill imperiled species for fun.”

Original article: https://www.ecowatch.com/trump-admin-pe ... belltitem2


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Re: Trophy Hunting

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https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2019/0 ... overnment/?

Britain will have toughest trophy hunting rules in the world as Government announces ban of 'morally indefensible' act

Helena Horton
28 SEPTEMBER 2019 • 12:01AM

Britain is to have the toughest trophy hunting laws in the world as the Government announced they will be tabling a ban on the "morally indefensible" act.

Hunters will no longer be able to bring back endangered animal parts from Africa as part of wide-ranging legislation that will also stop the import of exotic furs and rugs.

The move, announced today by the Minister for International Wildlife Zac Goldsmith could see the lives of thousands of elephants, lions, rhinos and other endangered species saved.

There is said to have been support for this policy within Number 10, and Boris Johnson's partner Carrie Symonds has been campaigning against the issue for some time. Mr Goldsmith's appointment by Boris Johnson was seen by those who oppose trophy hunting as significant, as the animal rights campaigner was effectively put in charge of the issue.


Ms Symonds said in her first speech to the public as "First Lady" earlier this year: "A trophy is meant to be a prize. Something you’re awarded if you’ve achieved something of merit that requires great skill and talent.

"Trophy hunting is not that. It is the opposite of that. It is cruel, it is sick, it is cowardly and I will never, ever understand the motivation to do it."

It is thought both inhabitants of Number 10 are against trophy hunting

After a consultation, the ban is expected to pass through parliament either as primary or secondary legislation after Conservative Party Conference.

The Minister for International Wildlife, Zac Goldsmith, has been campaigning against trophy hunting for years and credited the Telegraph's reporting on the issue with pressuring the government to implement a ban.

While some countries including France, Australia and the Netherlands have banned the imports of specific animals such as lions, this ban will affect dozens of endangered animals.

The animals it will no longer be legal to import will be those on the Cites Appendix I and II lists, as well as animals on the I UCN list.

Unlike the ivory ban, where it is banned to sell the product in the UK, this just concerns imports and exports, so it will still be legal to sell rare animal skins within the UK.

Mr Goldsmith said: “The fight against trophy hunting of endangered animals matters. It is clear that it is morally indefensible and that is why I am delighted that the Conservative Government will consult on a ban on the import of these trophies. By placing a higher value on animals alive rather than dead, we will begin to turn back the tide of extinction.”

There is said to have been support for this policy within Number 10, and Boris Johnson's partner Carrie Symonds has been campaigning against the issue for some time. Mr Goldsmith's appointment by Boris Johnson was seen by those who oppose trophy hunting as significant, as the animal rights campaigner was effectively put in charge of the issue.

Michael Gove, the previous environment minister, was notably cautious in his language on the issue, and animal rights campaigners doubted he would enforce a ban.

He said in May: "If particular communities have got used to driving income from hunting, you don't want to seem as though you're basically saying, we're taking your livelihood away.

"We've got to make sure that there is a clear alternative, that they know that their livelihoods and their lifestyle are going to be respected and not patronised, before they will feel comfortable about moving."

The announcement is part of a wide-ranging list of policies announced by Defra to kick off the Conservative Party Conference this weekend.

Ministers also announced that they will consult on introducing compulsory micro-chipping for pet cats to subject them to the same safety measures that currently apply to dogs.

Defra said: "This should give cat owners more peace of mind and strengthen the measures we have to tackle cat theft."

They will also "effectively end" live animal exports, a practice which many animal welfare campaigners have urged the government to end after we leave the EU. This will stop livestock being transported in cramped, hot conditions over large areas, and they will instead be killed at the nearest abattoir.

Rt Hon Theresa Villiers MP, Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said: “High standards of animal welfare are one of the hallmarks of a civilised society. We have a long tradition of protecting animals in this country, often many years before others follow. Leaving the EU allows us to take even bigger steps forward on this.

“The measures we are announcing today will protect our animals in our homes, in agriculture, and in the wild.

“I have campaigned for an end to live exports and what has been announced today will choke off this trade.

“This is an important victory for all those thousands of people across the country who have campaigned for tougher measures to protect animal welfare.”


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