Trophy Hunting Isn't Conservation
Photo Courtesy of Unsplash
Trophy hunting is one of many a hunter's favorite past times. Africa, undoubtedly the world's most popular trophy hunting destination, is home to a group of creatures notoriously known as the "Big Five." Amongst them are lions, a species which is captive bred in Africa for trophy hunting and declining in numbers in the wild. Whilst hunters tout the supposed benefits of trophy hunting, species are dying out at such a rate that we have litte hope of saving them. If they're not already endangered, they are factory-farmed to produce more targets for hunting. How is that conservation, you ask? Well, it isn't. Not in the slightest.
1. Trophy Hunting can hurt the general populations of a species As Jeff Flocken reported in Nat Geo, lions are being hunted at an alarming rate even as their wild population numbers experience decline. Yes, lions are factory farmed in captive-breeding facilities for hunting purposes, yet wild lions are victims of trophy hunting, too. Hunting does not help save such declining numbers; in fact, it decimates them.
2. The money doesn't end up where they claim it will Contrary to popular belief, the money from trophy hunting rarely goes to local communities or wildlife conservation. Sure, a few dollars may flow to a wildlife project or two; but rarely do rural communities actually see any of the revenue and by the time some African governments get their hands on the profits, it's bye-bye birdy to all of the revenue which hunters "swear" goes directly towards wildlife and cultural preservation. There's a even a study to prove it!
3. Trophy hunting is elitist Ever wonder why trophy hunters aren't sharing game lodges with everyday tourists? Probably because the average tourist traveling to Africa couldn't afford - nor would they pay for - the massive sums it costs to actually hunt an iconic animal in Africa. Trophy hunters often hunt in areas of Africa that are remote or not easily accessible unless you can afford to charter a plane to take you there. Or, if you're like Walter Palmer, just have a dishonest group of scoundrels take you on a shooting spree to kill protected animals from a National Park. See, the everyday tourist likely can't afford to spend over $10,000 (likely more) just to bag a lion trophy. But the wealthy & elite can. Just ask Donald Trump's kids.
4. Trophy hunting & poaching are nearly one in the same
Trophy hunting is touted as conservation, and yet little research is continuously done to actually monitor the conservation "benefits" from trophy hunting with a fine-tooth comb. If trophy hunting really were conservation, studies would need to be done, and effectively so, in order to determine whether this is "true." Scientific and regulatory bodies would also have to monitor such activity closely to determine the legalities and how healthy a species' population is after being decimated by trophy hunting. It would essentially be watergate...or huntergate? Some reports believe opening even the smallest gap of legal trade would essentially benefit poachers, acting as a smokescreen.
5. Studies and Finances can do more harm than good, if corrupt
Field studies and projects cost money. Money which some studies may not have. With financing often an issue for many researches & studies, some may be motivated to inflate population numbers of their given species (study subjects). For many notorious hunts (like the Canadian seal hunt) quotas for such hunts are unsubstantiated and really have no true value to scientific study. Sometimes, money talks, and people listen. But this poses dangers to the actual species themselves because they become victims of malpractice.
Knowing all of this, can trophy hunting really still be labeled as "conservation?" I'm thinking not.
Adapted from this link
