Tracking the History of Leopard Hunting in Africa
Tracking the History of Leopard Hunting in Africa
Chronicles
The early 1900s
Leopard and other big game hunting in Africa began as a popular, and probably competitive and ego-driven activity – a means to prove manhood, gain social status, and demonstrate one’s hunting prowess – among European settlers and affluent adventurers in the early 20th century. Explorers documented their big game hunting expeditions, which are chronicled in history, and glamorized in novels. Hunting leopard was the ultimate challenge because of its lower population than other big game, and its elusive nature. Its beautiful pelt was the main prize of a successful hunt. At that stage hunting was unregulated, leading to significant depletion in the leopard, and other big game, populations.
Theodore Roosevelt, one of the most famous figures in the early 1900s, was a big game hunting enthusiast. He came to Africa on safari in 1909, focusing mainly on elephants, but also loved the challenge of hunting leopards. Author Ernest Hemingway’s book “The Green Hills of Africa” glamorized big game hunting, thus making it appealing to the wealthy elite. However, Frederick Selous is probably the most famous big game hunter of that time.
1950s to 1960s
During the mid-20th century, leopard hunting became more organized and commercialized with safari companies emerging and offering guided hunting tours to international clients. There began a concern, however, that the wildlife populations were being diminished, and some control measures became necessary.
Kenya, Tanzania, and South Africa established game reserves and national parks to protect wildlife, but hunting was still permitted in certain areas. Initial attempts at regulation began with the introduction of hunting quotas and seasons, to prevent overhunting. These measures aimed to balance hunting activities with conservation efforts.
Bunny (Frank) Allen, born in 1906 in England became, after World War II, known as one of the last great gentlemen hunters of Africa. Based in Kenya, he led safaris for such eminent personalities as the Prince of Wales and Mick Jagger. Mr. Allen was hired to manage the 300-tent camp in Kenya for the cast for the movie “Mogambo” in the mid-1950s, which starred Ava Gardner, Clark Gable, and Grace Kelly.
From the 1970s
The environmental movement brought increased awareness of the impact of hunting on wildlife populations. Due to their low density compared with other big cats, leopards became a focal point for conservationists.
Significant regulatory changes were introduced. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) was implemented in the 1970s. Leopards were included in Appendix I, as a species threatened with extinction and subject to the strictest trade regulations.
In 1977 Kenya imposed a complete ban on hunting, including leopard hunting, in response to dwindling wildlife populations.
Establishing Kruger National Park in South Africa and Serengeti National Park in Tanzania was another step towards protecting wildlife, including leopards.
Increased scientific research on leopard populations and their ecological roles led to a better understanding of the species and the impacts of hunting. George Schaller, an American mammalogist, biologist, conservationist, and author, was a major contributor to understanding leopard behavior and ecology, influencing conservation policies.
2000s To Date
Leopard hunting has become highly regulated with strict, scientifically based quotas, hunting licenses and permits, and hunting seasons. The discourse around leopard hunting in Africa is centered on balancing conservation needs with the economic benefits derived from hunting tourism. Countries with established hunting industries, such as South Africa, Namibia, and Zimbabwe, have implemented stricter management practices.
Key Developments and Legal Milestones
There have been significant advances in wildlife management practices, including:
- Programs promoting the sustainable use of wildlife, focusing on regulated hunting as a tool for conservation, have been established. The revenue from hunting can fund conservation efforts and support the local communities.
- Communities have become involved in wildlife conservation, ensuring that they benefit from hunting revenues, thus being incentivized to help reduce poaching and manage human-wildlife conflict.
- In 2008 Botswana banned trophy hunting in public reserves, significantly impacting leopard hunting practices.
- South Africa suspended leopard trophy hunting in 2016, due to declining populations, and later reinstated it with stricter regulations and scientific monitoring.
- 2021 saw the introduction of advanced tracking technologies and conservation programs, such as camera traps and GPS collars. This has resulted in improved monitoring and management of the leopard population.
Impact on Local Communities and Economies
Leopard hunts are considered one of the more expensive big game hunts due to the elusive nature of the animal, the lower population, and the extensive preparation required for hunts. Leopard hunting safaris generate significant revenue for local communities through job creation and conservation funding. Programs such as the Community-Based Natural Resource Management (CBNRM) adopted in a few Southern African countries, or Namibia’s community-managed conservancies, empower communities to participate in wildlife management and benefit from regulated and sustainable hunting practices.
Ongoing Challenges
Habitat destruction presents one of the biggest threats to the leopard population, mostly due to human expansion and agriculture.
Poaching, illegal hunting, and trade of leopard skins and body parts remain major obstacles to preserving the leopard populations.
Climate change could impact leopard habitats and prey availability. This requires further research and possibly adaptive management strategies.
Why do leopards need protection?
The leopard is a top predator in the African ecosystem. They help maintain the ecosystem by controlling the population of herbivores and removing unhealthy animals from their habitat. They play a critical role in controlling the baboon populations – without leopards, baboons could wreak havoc on habitats.
What is the current health of leopard populations in Southern Africa?
Botswana is possibly one of the strongholds for leopard populations in Africa, especially in areas such as Chobe National Park and the Okavango Delta. Botswana has strong anti-poaching laws and significant investment in wildlife conservation. The country banned hunting in 2014, but there is debate regarding its reintroduction.
South Africa has relatively well-documented leopard populations, particularly in Kruger National Park and other protected areas. However, their numbers outside the protected areas are not certain but appear to be declining. South Africa employs conservation strategies including regulated trophy hunting, community-based projects, and strict anti-poaching measures. Agriculture and urban development, illegal poaching, and human-wildlife conflict are significant threats to the leopard populations.
Zimbabwe’s leopard population appears stable in well-protected areas such as Hwange National Park and Mana Pools, but there is concern about their status in less protected regions. Zimbabwe allows regulated leopard hunting as part of its wildlife management strategy, and to support local communities. Political instability, poaching, and habitat destruction are ongoing issues.
Namibia’s leopard population is healthy, especially in Etosha National Park and private reserves. The country is known for its progressive conservation policies. The community-run conservancies form an important aspect of Namibia’s conservation successes.
There is less precise data on leopard populations in Zambia, but they can be found in South Luangwa National Park and Kafue National Park. Zambia uses a combination of protected areas and regulated hunting to manage its leopard population. Again, poaching, habitat loss, and human-wildlife conflict remain challenges.
While the leopard population in Mozambique is less well-studied, it is believed to be under pressure due to extensive habitat loss and poaching. Mozambique is working towards improved wildlife conservation policies, including cross-border initiatives such as the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park. The challenges facing Mozambique are civil unrest, poaching, and habitat destruction due to forest burning to make charcoal (an illegal practice that is receiving attention) and agriculture.
Notable Conservationists
Dr Luke Hunter, the President of Panthera, has played a significant role in leopard conservation through research and conservation programs. Panthera’s mission focuses on wild cats and their ecosystems, with specific initiatives aimed at leopards.
Dr Amy Dickman (Wildlife Conservation Research Unit), University of Oxford, is a leading researcher in carnivore conservation, has done extensive work on leopards in Tanzania, with broader implications for Southern Africa. Her research focuses on human-wildlife conflict and developing strategies that benefit wildlife and local communities.
Key organizations include:
Panthera is dedicated to the conservation of wild cats and their habitats. The Leopard Program focuses on securing core leopard populations and reducing threats.
Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), aims to save wildlife and wild places through science, conservation action, and education. WCS works in Mozambique and Zambia, focusing on habitat conservation, anti-poaching, and engaging local communities in conservation.
African Wildlife Foundation (AWF) aims to ensure wildlife and wild lands thrive in modern Africa. AWF works on conservation projects that benefit leopards by preserving large tracts of habitat and mitigating human-wildlife conflict.
Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) is dedicated to conserving threatened species and ecosystems in Southern Africa. EWT’s Carnivore Conservation Program includes monitoring and protecting leopard populations, addressing human-wildlife conflict, and reducing illegal wildlife trade.
Balancing Tradition and Conservation in Leopard Hunting
Significant progress has been made in the conservation and protection of the leopard since the ‘free-for-all’ hunting days of the early 1900s. Thanks to progressive conservationists such as Dr Luke Hunter and Dr Amy Dickman, and the recognition by Southern African governments of the importance of conservation, wildlife and habitat protection, and community involvement, the leopard populations are currently sustainable. Mozambique faces more challenges than the other countries but is making progress.
The combination of research, community engagement, and anti-poaching efforts has resulted in significant strides in leopard conservation.