Trophy hunting on many private fenced farms in South Africa – this study examines the impact that a ban could have on biodiversity
Category Archives: Hunting
Coronavirus disrupts Botswana elephant hunts, threatens great apes & causes Malawi bushmeat ban
Coronavirus is impacting on elephant hunting in Botswana, the great apes and poaching of bushmeat in Malawi
What exactly is CITES and how does it work?
CITES was established to regulate the international trade of animals & plants, to avoid the over-exploitation of endangered species
CITES processes are corrupt, says report
A report from TRAFFIC explains how corruption undermines the CITES-authorised trade in wildlife and offers suggestions as to how to mitigate its effects.
Humans not always to blame for genetic diversity loss in wildlife
People are not always to blame for loss of genetic diversity in wildlife, says new study.
Communities delivering conservation impact & wildlife recoveries
Opinion: Communities are delivering significant conservation results equivalent to those of government parks and reserves.
Conservation needs diversified approaches – opinion
Scientists suggest alternative land-use models to trophy hunting – models that are more inclusive of local people.
Collared elephant hunted in Botswana, tracking device destroyed
A large bull elephant carrying a research collar with a tracking device has been killed by trophy hunters in Botswana, and the tracking device destroyed.
Opinion: Trophy hunting is not all black and white, says conservation biologist
Trophy hunting: Conservation biologist explains the complexity of the situation in a remote area of Tanzania, calls for reason and practical solutions that work on the ground.
Opinion: How hunting black rhino contributes to conservation in Namibia
Black rhino hunts benefit conservation of our rhinos – opinion post by conservationist, on behalf of 64 Namibian conservation organisations.
Botswana elephant hunting: Chaos and disillusionment as citizen licenses are raffled
Botswana elephant hunting: Eight elephant hunting licenses were awarded to Maun-based Botswana citizens, and the eight winners and almost 6,000 losers were unhappy with the results when the reality of the T&Cs set in.
Trophy hunting in Zambia to be suspended due to non-payment of hunting fees to communities
Trophy hunting in Zambia has been halted because communities have not been paid their fees and share of revenue.
Minister: How many wild rhinos do we have left?
How many rhinos do we have left in our National Parks? An open letter to South African Minister of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries, Barbara Creecy.
Professional hunter gored by buffalo in Greater Kruger
A professional hunter has been gored by a male buffalo in the community-owned Makuya concession of the Greater Kruger.
Trophy hunters kill popular Zimbabwean lion Seduli – on World Lion Day
A well-known male lion called Seduli, who was popular with photographers, has been shot by hunters on the outskirts of Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe this past weekend on World Lion Day.
Opinion: The untold story behind hunting in Botswana
Hunting in Botswana: Human-wildlife conflict scientist takes a deeper look at whether the historic hunting ban was good or bad for elephants and people.
Yes or no – boycott tourism lodges in Greater Kruger because of neighbouring trophy hunting operations?
Does it make sense to boycott tourism lodges in the Greater Kruger because of trophy hunting on neighbouring properties? Our CEO answers the question.
Iconic desert-adapted elephant ‘Voortrekker’ killed by trophy hunter in Namibia
In yet another blow to big elephant genes, the iconic desert-adapted elephant bull known by millions of fans worldwide as ‘Voortrekker’ was killed by a trophy hunter after being declared a ‘problem-animal’ by Namibian authorities
Life with elephants
Botswana elephant debate: We speak to the MOST important people in this equation – those living with elephants. Beyond the politics and ideologies, what do rural Batswana feel about elephants? Read more.
Breaking: Zambian hippo cull via hunting cancelled. Again
Breaking: Zambian hippo cull cancelled. This is the latest about-turn since the Zambian government announced plans to cull 2,000 hippos in Luangwa Valley by offering ‘hippo management hunts’.
Botswana trophy hunting: Fewer than 400 elephant hunting licenses to be granted annually, says government
Fewer than 400 elephant hunting licenses will be granted annually, the Botswana government has announced, following the reinstatement of hunting.
Large-tusked elephants are in decline, need to be protected from trophy hunting and poaching, says researcher
The need to protect large-tusked and potentially large-tusked elephants from poaching and excessive selective hunting pressure is more apparent than ever as the progressive decrease in average tusk size over the past three decades is potentially leading to over exploitation of older bulls.
Botswana brings back trophy hunting
The Government of Botswana has taken the decision to lift the hunting suspension.
Giraffes may receive USA protection after lawsuit
Giraffes may at last qualify for USA protection after a lawsuit filed by conservation groups. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced that giraffes may qualify for protection under America’s Endangered Species Act.
Another giant elephant taken by trophy hunters
Another blow for Africa’s remaining large-tusked elephants, as trophy hunters kill another massive elephant in Gonarezhou, Zimbabwe. The surgical removal of Africa’s giants continues.
Opinion: Selinda Reserve in Botswana was not hunted out, say former owners in reply to Dereck Joubert
Previous leaseholders of NG16, also known as Selinda Reserve, respond to Dereck Joubert’s article on the state of the Selinda concession.
Video: The unintended victims of a hidden killer
The piece of looped wire doesn’t look like much. But place this wire in the hands of wildlife poachers, and it becomes one of Africa’s most deadly weapons.
Opinion: Trophy hunting in the Greater Kruger versus broader conservation priorities
Trophy hunting in the Greater Kruger – biodiversity conservationist provides perspective, and suggests that well-funded groups opposed to hunting have a disproportionate voice in social media, compared to local communities that are affected by living amongst or near wildlife, and carry the costs.
Captive lion breeding is here to stay, says DEA
The Department of Environmental Affairs has rejected the Portfolio Committee’s resolution to end the captive breeding of lions.
Opinion: Put down the petitions – help create alternatives for Botswana beyond elephant hunting
Botswana elephant debate: Tourism marketing manager urges the tourism industry to create alternatives beyond elephant hunting.
Trophy hunting in Africa is in decline, and no longer pays its way
Trophy hunting in Africa is in decline, and no longer pays its way, leading to poaching and habitat loss in hunting areas – according to IUCN report
Opinion: Dereck Joubert reacts to Botswana hunting and culling recommendation
Respected filmmaker and conservation spokesperson Dereck Joubert has reacted to the Botswana government committee proposal to resume trophy hunting, and commence with elephant culling. Plans also include erecting fences to prevent certain wildlife migrations, and improve on human-wildlife conflict mitigation methods.
Hunting ban in Botswana should be lifted says government committee, and elephants culled
Hunting ban should be lifted and elephants culled, says Botswana’s government committee. Other recommendations include growth of the hunting industry, some animal migration routes closed and human-wildlife conflict strategies implemented.
Opinion: Pro hunter responds to our CEO regarding hunting in Greater Kruger
Professional hunter Paul Stone has responded to Simon Espley’s opinion editorial questioning whether the trophy hunting industry will ruin Kruger National Park’s expansion plans.
Opinion: Our CEO asks whether the trophy hunting industry could ruin Kruger’s big expansion plan
Our CEO asks whether the trophy hunting industry will bring the Greater Kruger to its knees.
Parliament attacks Kruger agreement with neighbouring private reserves
The South African Parliament has strongly criticised South African National Parks for signing a formal agreement on 5th December to ratify a long-standing cooperation arrangement between Kruger National Park and several neighbouring private and community game reserves, which together form an area known as “Greater Kruger”.
Opinion: Ecologist responds to Guardian newspaper article against trophy hunting
Campaign against trophy hunting – a western urban cultural imposition on rights of rural African communities: arrogant cultural superiority or ignorance?
Opinion: Why trophy hunting is counter-productive as a ‘conservation tool’
Trophy hunters target the largest or rarest animals they can find – or those with the biggest horns, tusks or manes. Yet both science and common sense tells us that that goes against nature’s law of survival of the fittest.
NEWS WRAP: 8 arrested for possession of lion bones and meat + warden convicted after illegal collared elephant hunt
In this week’s news wrap eight people have been arrested for illegal possession of lion bones, meat and tiger skin; a warden was convicted after an illegal collared elephant hunt in Greater Kruger; Malawi investigates the deaths of at least 22 hippos at Liwonde National Park; and a High Court ruling proves a huge victory for Xolobeni community over an Australian mining company.
Balule responds regarding traumatising elephant hunt incident
Balule Nature Reserve responds to the incident regarding a traumatising elephant hunt.
Illegal collared elephant hunt in Greater Kruger – warden convicted
A warden has been convicted in court after a collared elephant was illegally hunted.
Captive lion breeding and bone trade: MPs call for an end to the practice
The Environmental Affairs Committee has called for a policy and legislative review on captive lion breeding for hunting and lion bone trade.
Opinion: Farcical quotes from the lion farming colloquium in South Africa
An opinion post on the colloquium on lion farming in South Africa.
Botswana’s president addresses the issue of game farms and hunting in Botswana
Botswana’s president addresses the issue of game farms and hunting in Botswana.
NEWS WRAP: US wildlife official resigns after killing baboon family + Kruger’s security measures intensified
In this week’s news wrap a top Idaho wildlife official has resigned amid outrage over a photo of him posing with a baboon family he killed in Namibia; SANParks have intensified security measures in the Kruger to tackle the rise of elephant poaching; 13 rhino horns shipped from South Africa were seized in Vietnam; a New Zealand drone company is helping in the fight against South African rhino poachers; South African rhino film wins top awards at US film festivals; and Ugandan ranger wins prestigious Tusk Wildlife Ranger Award 2018.
Botswana elephant poaching debate: Wildlife vet speaks his mind
Botswana elephant poaching debate: Wildlife vet speaks his mind.
NEWS WRAP: Rhino poaching ringleader released + Botswana considers lifting hunting ban
In this week’s news wrap the notorious rhino poaching ringleader, Chumlong Lemtongthai, was released early from prison and deported to Thailand; Botswana initiated on Wednesday a month of public hearings to decide whether to lift the 2014 hunting ban, including elephant hunting; the South African Parliament wants the Kruger National Park agreement with private reserves revised; an elephant killed a 58-year old man from a village in the northwest district of Botswana; and the past two months has seen the translocation of zebra, blue wildebeest and impala from Kruger National Park to Zinave National Park.
Notorious rhino poaching ringleader released early from prison, deported to Thailand
Chumlong Lemtongthai, a key figure in the notorious Xaysavang rhino horn and wildlife trafficking network, was released from a South African prison last night and deported to Thailand.
Elephant hunting: Botswana initiates month-long consultation process
Botswana initiated on Wednesday a month of public hearings to decide whether to lift the 2014 hunting ban, including elephant hunting.
NEWS WRAP: Massive rhino horn seizure in Malaysia + elephants trample and kill two Tanzanians
In this week’s news wrap Malaysian authorities discovered 50 pieces of rhino horn in the Kuala Lumpur International Airport in what is believed to be southeast Asia’s largest single seizure of rhino horns; two Tanzanians were trampled to death by elephants in the north of the country; a nationwide survey has revealed that the majority of South Africans believe the captive lion breeding industry is harming the country’s international reputation; conservationists in Kenya are warning of an imminent poaching crisis should proposals to open the doors to game hunting sail through; and police in Cameroon have shut down an international poaching gang after catching six traffickers carrying more than 700 kilos of pangolin scales.
Game hunting in Kenya will cause poaching crisis, experts warn
Conservationists in Kenya are warning of an imminent poaching crisis should proposals to open the doors to game hunting sail through.
Leopard hunting quota was issued despite official report showing significant population declines
The official report into leopard populations reveals significant population reductions, and yet the SA government has announced a resumption in trophy hunting. Does this make sense? A respected biologist suggests not.
NEWS WRAP: Leopard hunting reinstated in South Africa + hippo kills tourist
In this week’s news wrap South Africa’s Department of Environmental Affairs has issued a quota of seven male leopards for trophy hunting during 2018; a hippo attacked and killed a Taiwanese tourist, and injured another, at a wildlife resort on Lake Naivasha in Kenya; customs officers seized rhino horns worth 1.3 million ($245,000) Turkish Liras at Istanbul’s Atatürk Airport; and a crocodile was successfully relocated from the famous Victoria Falls Bridge.
Biologist questions science behind leopard trophy hunting quota
After only two years of no leopard hunting, we now have apparently accumulated enough population data to reinstate a hunting quota and lift the zero quota. I find this very hard to believe for such a cryptic species.
SA reinstates leopard hunting quota – 7 to be shot this year
Leopard hunting: South Africa’s Department of Environmental Affairs has issued a quota of seven leopards for trophy hunting during 2018.
NEWS WRAP: SA’s lion bone export quota set at 1,500 skeletons + 9 black rhinos die after translocation
In this week’s news wrap 1,500 lion skeletons from captive-bred lions can now be exported annually from South Africa according to the new lion bone export quota; nine out of 14 critically endangered black rhinos have died after being translocated from one reserve to another in Kenya; two Zimbabwean women have drowned after a hippo attack caused their fishing boat to capsize; Taiwan’s ivory ban is to enter into force in 2020; and Botswana’s intelligence agency has been accused of using its anti-poaching operation to conceal elephant tusks from the responsible government department, potentially using it as a conduit for ivory smuggling.
South Africa’s lion bone export quota set at 1,500 skeletons
The DEA has announced that the new lion bone export quota will allow 1,500 lion skeletons from captive-bred lions to be exported annually from South Africa.
Skye the lion – the beginning of the end for trophy hunting in the Greater Kruger?
The highly controversial shooting of a male lion by a trophy hunter in the Umbabat section of the Greater Kruger could conceivably mark the beginning of the end for trophy hunting in this part of Africa.
7 Baboons killed on Constantia wine farms after permits issued
Seven baboons have been killed after hunting permits were issued to two Constantia wine farms in Cape Town, South Africa.
NEWS WRAP: Scientists create embryos to save near-extinct rhino + Kenya relocates endangered black rhinos
In this week’s news wrap scientists have created embryos to ‘bring back’ a near-extinct African rhino subspecies; Kenya relocates endangered black rhinos to a more secure habitat; The Namibian Minister of Environment and Tourism has responded to the killing of the male desert-adapted lion, Gretsky (XPL 99); an investigation has been conducted on South Africa’s wildlife cryptotrade; the Barberton Makhonjwa Mountains in Mpumalanga, South Africa, have been officially added to the World Heritage Site List; and Zambia’s wildlife paradise and legendary safari mecca of Luangwa Valley may in future partially function as one giant tap for some of Zambia’s growing water needs.
