The global community says no to trophy hunting

Trophy hunting is the killing of animals, usually wild animals, for pleasure, display or bragging rights. When the animal is hunted, the trophy hunter will carve out the part or parts that they wanted from the animal and usually leave the rest of the animal. The practice, therefore, results in the death of the animal and loss of its parts for display as a trophy. Trophy hunters pay large sums of money, often tens of thousands of dollars, to travel around the world to kill wild animals.

Though not common in Kenya, trophy hunting is a big issue in South Africa.

New research reveals that South African citizens and international tourists want to see an end to trophy hunting, in favour of wildlife-friendly experiences. This comes as South Africa opens-up consultation on its draft Conservation and Sustainable Use of South Africa's Biodiversity white paper.

World Animal Protection commissioned research into public attitudes towards trophy hunting, surveying 10,900 people from around the world. The respondents included international tourists who frequently visit South Africa and South African citizens. It revealed universally strong opposition to the blood sport and a desire to finance the protection of the nation's iconic wildlife through non-lethal alternatives such as responsible wildlife tourism.

The key findings from the research revealed that 84 per cent of international tourists agree that the South African government should prioritise wildlife-friendly tourism over trophy hunting.

Another 74 per cent of international tourists agreed that making trophy hunting a key pillar of policy will damage South Africa's reputation, and 72 per cent would be put off from visiting the country altogether.

Additionally, seven in 10 South African citizens agree their country would be a more attractive tourist destination if they banned trophy hunting. Three quarters of South African citizens agree that trophy hunting is unacceptable when wildlife-friendly tourism alternatives have not been fully utilised.

Nick Stewart, Global Head of Campaigns for Wildlife at World Animal Protection said:

"The Republic of South Africa needs to take decisive action to move towards a more wildlife friendly future. It's not too late for them to grasp the opportunity to make a clear stand, by fully embracing non-lethal wildlife-friendly alternatives, including responsible wildlife tourism,"

Edith Kabesiime, Wildlife Campaign Manager (Africa) at World Animal Protection said:

"The government needs to listen to South African voices who clearly don't want their wildlife heritage plundered any further and want to see change. Continuing to make wild animals shoot-to-kill targets at the mercy of wealthy westerners is outdated in a world where public attitudes are swiftly shifting."

Moreover, Kabesiime noted that without taking a firm stand, South Africa is starving the oxygen from creative thinking to identify, incentivize and implement non-lethal alternatives to conserve Africa's iconic wildlife.

World Animal Protection welcomed the decision from the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment of South Africa in May 2021, when new measures to halt the domestication of captive lions, as well as the phasing out of the commercial captive lion industry was announced. Yet this progressive step has stalled, with little progress taking place in the year that has followed.

The development of wildlife-friendly tourism and the removal of wildlife exploitation like trophy hunting and captive lion breeding, has the potential to enhance South Africa's international reputation as a global leader for wildlife-friendly experiences. It would reposition the country as an even more competitive destination of choice for responsible travelers and tour operators.

World Animal Protection is now calling for the Republic of South Africa to reject cruel, lethal practices such as trophy hunting as a default approach to sustainable development and conservation, make a public commitment to end trophy hunting and invest in other non-lethal economic alternatives, including wildlife-friendly tourism instead.

Consequently, World Animal Protection is asking the public to add their voice to the 60-day public consultation on the white paper and demand a genuine wildlife friendly future for South Africa. [Dr Paul Kangethe, [email protected]]