In this week’s news wrap three rhinos, a mother and two calves, died after a poaching incident; a Botswana MP proposes lifting the elephant hunting ban; an enormous amount of ivory was confiscated after a wide-ranging law enforcement sweep of Yunnan border areas in China; Zakouma National Park’s six black rhinos were dehorned to help reduce the risk of poaching; the DR Congo is considering whether to open up two world-famous national parks to oil exploration; and Zimbabwean police are investigating the illegal hunting of a ‘problem’ elephant bull by two Americans visiting the country on tourist visas.
Category Archives: Hunting
Botswana MP proposes lifting elephant hunting ban
Botswana’s parliament has adopted a motion requesting the government to consider lifting the ban on the hunting of elephants in areas that are not designated as game reserves and national parks.
Foreigners hunting in Zimbabwe: investigations into corruption and fraud
Zimbabwe’s wildlife estate is open for business among unethical foreign hunters, corrupt officials and fraudsters, an investigation by Oxpeckers reporters shows.
NEWS WRAP: Desert-adapted lion shot + rhino breeder on verge of bankruptcy
In this week’s news wrap a desert-adapted lion was shot by Namibian authorities after killing livestock; South African rhino breeder, John Hume, has said that he is on the verge of bankruptcy and may have to sell off his 1,626 southern white rhinos; the Namibian NGOs respond to questions from abroad about lion management; the rhino population in Tanzania’s Ngorongoro crater rises above 50; two field rangers were arrested for suspected rhino poaching; a pride of five lions were tested for tuberculosis in the Greater Kruger; and customs officers in Hong Kong arrested a man carrying about R1-million worth of sliced rhino horn.
Lion killings: Namibian NGOs respond to questions from abroad about lion management
In light of the recent backlash against Namibia for the death of a desert-adapted lion, Dr Chris Brown, CEO of the Namibia Chamber of Environment, responds to a foreign national’s questions regarding Namibia’s management of lions in the wild.
Gretzky, a desert-adapted lion, shot by Namibian authorities after killing livestock
Gretzky, the iconic Huab River male desert-adapted lion, who sired and established the Ugab Pride has been shot and killed by the Ministry of Environment and Tourism (MET) at De Rust Farm.
NEWS WRAP: Kruger lion hunted + lioness saved from snare
In this week’s news wrap a large male lion was trophy hunted in the Greater Kruger National Park; a lioness with cubs was saved after a snare was discovered around her waist; an anti-poaching guard was seriously injured when a buffalo charged him; and two pristine reserves in southern Mozambique, Maputo Special Reserve and Ponta do Ouro Partial Marine Reserve, are set for transformative tourism development.
Kruger lion hunted – what we know
A large male lion was trophy hunted on Thursday morning last week in the Greater Kruger National Park.
Zambia’s hippo cull: Valid concerns and questions from those affected
A showdown is looming between tourism operators in Zambia’s South Luangwa National Park and trophy hunters, in the wake of the Zambian government’s decision to cull up to 2,000 hippos over a 5-year period in Luangwa Valley, across the river from the tourism lodges – and to award the culling contract to a South African trophy hunting outfit Umlilo Safaris (so much for the empowerment of local people and generation of revenue that stays in Zambia).
NEWS WRAP: Canned hunter convicted + escaped Kruger lion captured
In this week’s news wrap a South African canned hunter was successfully convicted; a male lion was darted and captured after presumably escaping the Kruger; two men suspected of being kingpins in a rhino poaching syndicate were arrested; the Zambian government has denied reports that it has authorised the culling of 2,000 hippos in the Luangwa Valley; and the population of mountain gorillas, one of the world’s most endangered species, is on the rise after a population survey was performed in the transboundary Virunga Massif.
South African canned hunter successfully convicted
Deon Cilliers, a Free State province Professional Hunter, taxidermist and owner of Hunters Safari, pleaded guilty to 45 counts of contravening the Biodiversity and Conservation Acts in the Ladybrand court yesterday
Zambia hippo cull via trophy hunting not as high as 2,000, says minister
The Zambian government on Tuesday denied reports that it has authorised the culling of 2,000 hippos in the Luangwa Valley.
NEWS WRAP: Buffalo kills hunter + Zambia reinstates plan to cull hippos
In this week’s news wrap a well-known hunter has been killed by a buffalo in Limpopo, South Africa; Zambia reinstates plan to cull 2,000 hippos; justice is served for foreign lizard poachers; an elephant cow with two-week-old calf is saved from a snare in Mozambique; and South African fisheries control officers nab abalone poachers.
Well-known hunter killed by buffalo
A buffalo has killed professional hunter, Claude Kleynhans (54), in what is considered a freak accident on the banks of the Levubu River in northern Limpopo, South Africa, on Tuesday, 22 May.
Zambia reinstates plan to cull 2,000 hippos
Zambian authorities have overturned their 2016 decision to suspend the culling of up to 2,000 hippos in Luangwa Valley.
NEWS WRAP: Elephant tramples farmer + fight against rhino poaching continues
In this week’s news wrap a 35-year-old farmer has been trampled to death by an elephant in southern Tanzania; Rhino Project in KwaZulu-Natal shows firsthand how much effort is still going into the fight against rhino poaching; a lactating female elephant has died after being poisoned with cyanide in the Bumi Hills area in Zimbabwe; A South African hunter has been accused of bribing Zimbabwe government officials to shoot an elephant illegally; ranger forces strengthened in Mozambique after more recruits join the ranks; and Japan has partnered the ZimParks and Wildlife Management Authority in its quest to curb the illegal killing if elephants.
Opinion: Saving Africa’s wilderness spaces – a new paradigm in conservation
An opinion piece that covers the foundational impact that habitat loss and habitat fragmentation is having on the future of Africa’s wildlife.
NEWS WRAP: Attacks by captive carnivores stats revealed + logging planned in Selous Game Reserve
In this week’s news wrap stats regarding attacks by captive carnivores in South Africa are revealed in an open letter to the minister; Tanzania invites bids for logging in Selous Game Reserve to pave way for huge hydropower plant; Kenya plans to fast-track laws to make wildlife killing capital offence; two South African hunting associations are expelled over […]
Opinion: Like the fossil fuel industry, trophy hunting is unsustainable
Trophy hunting is like the fossil fuel industry. They’re both messy, unsustainable, in need of an alternative approach and, ultimately, fail to deliver on their promises.
SA hunters expelled over canned lion hunting
Two South African hunting associations that embrace canned lion hunting have lost an appeal to retain their membership to Europe’s top hunting organisation, and have been thrown out of the International Council for Game and Wildlife Conservation for breach of policy.
NEWS WRAP: Another collared elephant shot + 12 poachers arrested in Kruger
In this week’s news wrap another collared bull elephant has been been shot by a professional hunter in an area adjacent to Gonarezhou National Park in Zimbabwe; twelve suspected rhino poachers were arrested in Kruger National Park in the last week; a police committee now says that police near national parks should be vetted in light of the poacher arrests; leopards are taking the hit from the Chinese demand for ‘health tonics’; and research has revealed that West Africa gorillas are more numerous than thought, but still endangered.
Another collared elephant shot outside Zim national park
Hunters in Zimbabwe have shot dead a bull elephant collared by scientists for research purposes, the second such killing in a month, a conservation group says.
NEWS WRAP: Hunter kills collared elephant + 3 rangers drown in Lower Zambezi
In this week’s news wrap a giant elephant was killed by a Russian hunter – despite wearing a research collar; three rangers have drowned in Lower Zambezi; the South African DA says that the illegal abalone trade is fuelled by the Department of Agriculture; Kenya considers hunting as land-use model for community and private land; reports say that Grace Mugabe allegedly gifted ivory to Asian first ladies; five people were arrested over possession of elephant tusks valued at R600k; and a man has been jailed for 18 months over possession of elephant bones in Malawi.
Hunting causes life-threatening build-up of toxic lead in vultures
Research in Botswana has revealed that fragments of lead from recreational hunter ammunition are finding their way into vulture bloodstreams, and represent a significant threat to these critically endangered scavengers.
Giant elephant killed by hunter – despite research collar
Giant large-tusked elephant (with research collar) removed from the gene pool by a Russian hunter in Zimbabwe.
Lion bone trade: New report reveals South African government’s role
A new report has highlighted the South African government’s role in the bloody, commercial lion body part trade.
NEWS WRAP: Last male northern white rhino deteriorating + shipments of protected African species to Asia soar
In this week’s news wrap Sudan, the last male northern white rhino, is starting to show signs of ailing; a new study has revealed that shipments of protected African species to Asia are soaring; the US Fish and Wildlife Service announced that it will now consider all permits for importing elephant trophies from Africa on a “case-by-case basis”; and the World Wildlife Fund has announced that Google, Facebook and other major tech firms are joining an effort to halt the illegal trade of wildlife and wildlife parts.
Trump administration to allow elephant trophy imports on “case-by-case basis”
The U.S. government will allow hunters to import elephant trophies on a “case-by-case basis”, breaking the president’s pledge.
NEWS WRAP: US remains top wildlife trophy importer + Kenyan elephants relocated
In this week’s news wrap it has been reported that the United States remains the biggest importer of endangered African wildlife trophies; 30 elephants are relocated in Kenya in the hopes to end human-wildlife conflict; Kenyan MPs urge President Kenyatta to ban logging and declare it a national disaster; African penguins have succumbed to avian flu in the Western Cape; the US Embassy supports the South African wildlife crime investigations through donation of forensic trailer units; and a major seize of an abalone consignment goes down at Durban harbour.
Kruger rhinos sold to Namibian hunting farm – deal under scrutiny
How did 13 rhino bulls from the Kruger National Park end up on a hunting farm owned by a reclusive Russian billionaire in Namibia?
Largest US safari club slams door shut on SA’s canned lion industry
The world’s largest hunting club, Safari Club International (SCI) has slammed the door shut on South Africa’s canned lion industry, announcing it will no longer allow captive-bred lion operators to advertise or market captive-bred lions (CBL) at its annual convention, and will reject all captive-bred lion entries for its record books.
NEWS WRAP: Hunter shot dead + Hong Kong votes to ban ivory sales
In this week’s news wrap a hunter was shot dead at a captive-bred lion hunting farm in South Africa; Hong Kong has voted to ban domestic ivory sales in a landmark move; around 600 kg of elephant tusks and 600 kg of pangolin scales were seized in Ivory Coast; US President Donald Trump has confirmed that he will not be lifting the ban on elephant trophies from Zambia and Zimbabwe; and 3.5 tons of hippo teeth went up for auction on Monday in Tanzania, despite criticism.
Trump confirms US elephant trophy ban remains
US President Donald Trump has confirmed in an interview with Piers Morgan that he will not be lifting the ban on elephant trophies from Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Federal Court invalidates decision for trophy imports to US
The US Federal Court of Appeals has invalidated the decision to allow the import of animal parts from trophy hunts from Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Opinion: Hunting’s threat to conservation
An opinion piece in response to Peter Flack’s recent article that offered a hunter’s perceived threats to conservation in South Africa.
Opinion: Worth more alive
An opinion piece on the questionable role of trophy hunting in conservation.
New hunting association formed after outcry over captive-bred lion hunting
A new association representing the interests of professional hunters, opposed to hunting captive-bred lions, has been formed in South Africa.
NEWS WRAP: China seizes 12 tonnes of pangolin scales + canned lion hunting
In this week’s news wrap Chinese customs officials in Shenzhen have seized 11.9 tonnes of scales from endangered African pangolins; the Professional Hunters’ Association of South Africa (PHASA) has now approved canned lion hunting; a study reveals that trophy hunting may cause extinction in a changing environment; SANParks claims that some Kruger National Park rangers are collaborating with poachers; and staying in the Kruger, the Park and Mozambican authorities are now collaborating in a bid to clamp down on rhino poaching.
Trophy hunting may cause extinction in a changing environment
Trophy hunting and other activities involving the targeting of high-quality male animals could lead to the extinction of certain species faced with changing environmental conditions, according to new research.
PHASA approves canned lion hunting, faces backlash
In a change of policy after earlier turning its back on the breeding and hunting of captive lions, the Professional Hunters’ Association of SA (PHASA) has now approved such practices. During their annual general meeting on 22 November, members voted to approve “the hunting of captive bred lions as a legitimate form of hunting”.
NEWS WRAP: Rhino 8 nabs poachers + US big-game trophy decision
In this week’s news wrap an anti-poaching team celebrates success; US President Donald Trump calls elephant trophy hunting a “horror show”; the Trump administration is sued for allowing US hunters to import elephant and lion trophies; a woman’s body is found after a crocodile dragged her into river; and Mozambique ports have become the new export hub for ivory smugglers.
Opinion: The trouble with trophy hunting
Frank Pope, CEO of Save the Elephants, shares his insight into the latest news around the import of elephant trophies from Zimbabwe to America.
Now Trump calls elephant trophy hunting a “horror show”
President Trump called elephant hunting a “horror show” Sunday and strongly suggested he will permanently block imports of elephant trophies from two African nations despite his administration’s earlier approval of the practice.
US to lift elephant trophy ban
US authorities will remove restrictions on importing African elephant trophies from Zimbabwe and Zambia.
Opinion: Too many lions in Kunene
Whether tourism operators and armchair lion-lovers like it or not, there are now too many lions in some parts of the Kunene region. Trying to save the lions that are killing livestock, or harassing the farmers who kill them, including impounding their firearms, will not serve the interests of conservation in the region.
Problem lions announcement: Conservationist challenges Namibian minister
Conservationist challenges Namibian minister in open letter regarding decision to relocate or kill problem lions in the Kunene region.
Kruger should cull 88% of its elephants, says hunter Ron Thomson
Celebrated hunter Ron Thomson believes that 88% of Kruger National Park’s elephants should be culled.
NEWS WRAP: Cyanide killing Zim’s elephants + rhino injures poacher
In this week’s news wrap a report claims that over 250 elephants have died in Zimbabwe due to cyanide poisoning since 2013; South Korea clamps down on ivory smuggling; while North Korea is accused of rhino horn and ivory smuggling; a suspected poacher is injured by a rhino he was tracking; and questions are raised over Namibia’s killing of desert elephants.
Questionable killing of Namibia’s desert elephants
Two of the only five remaining mature desert elephants bulls that occupied the Ugab region of Namibia have recently been hunted.
‘Iconic tusker’ shot by trophy hunters in Zambia
A large bull elephant, described as an ‘iconic tusker’ was trophy hunted in Zambia this weekend – the biggest elephant trophy in decades.
Trophy hunting company appointed to manage state game reserve
The North West Parks Board has conservationists worried after it awarded a 25-year contract for the co-management of a state-owned game reserve to a company specialising in trophy hunting and stuffing animals.
Hippo teeth: Hong Kong trade threatens species in Africa
Hong Kong has always been regarded as the epicentre of the global wildlife trade. It appears however that this trade is not adequately controlled by authorities and may lead many species to the brink of extinction. Unfortunately many news headlines announce illegal elephant ivory and rhino horn trade being processed through Hong Kong’s borders. Many other […]
Dear John, our response to your rhino horn auction
Rhino farmer, John Hume, will be auctioning 500kgs of rhino horn online today (23 August 2017). He presents arguments for his rhino horn auction, which Dr Simon Morgan – co-founder of Wildlife ACT, debunks.
Hunter killed by elephant in Namibia
The Namibia Press Agency has reported that on Saturday an elephant trampled and killed an Argentine national who was in a group of hunters tracking a herd of elephants. The incident happened in a private reserve about 70kms north-west Kalkveld, midway between Windhoek and Etosha. The hunter, identified as 46-year-old Jose Monzalvez, worked for an oil company, […]
The BIG LIE about lion trophy hunting
The trophy hunting of Africa’s wild, free roaming lions is not sustainable and has to stop.
No hunting permit for Kebbel the lion, says Namibian minister
Amidst international and local pressure, Namibian Minister of the Environment and Tourism (MET) Pohamba Shifeta has stated to the Republikein newspaper that he has not issued a permit to trophy hunt Kebbel, the last remaining adult lion in the Sesfontein Conservancy in Namibia.
Why not auction Namibian desert lions that are to be trophy hunted?
An interesting idea has emerged about the way in which desert-adapted Namibian lions could potentially be saved from trophy hunting: put them up for auction.
Trophy hunters lied about Xanda, son of Cecil, says Oxford researcher
The Zimbabwean trophy hunter who shot Cecil the Lion’s son, Xanda, was lying about the circumstances of the hunt, says the Oxford University researcher Andrew Loveridge from WildCru.
Hunters to target last remaining adult male lion in Namibian conservancy?
A suspicious trophy hunting advertisement has been placed online for a threatened Namibian desert lion. And this time it would appear that the target is the only known adult male lion in the Sesfontein Conservancy.
Cecil the Lion’s son Xanda killed by trophy hunter
Xanda, 6-year-old son of Cecil the Lion, has been shot and killed by a client of Zimbabwean professional hunter Richard Cooke, a Victoria Falls resident. Xanda, in his prime years and the father of several young cubs, was killed just outside Hwange National Park, as was his famous father. Although the hunt was reportedly legal, […]
