The Impact of European Hunting Imports on Hunting Safaris in Namibia
The Impact of European Hunting Imports on Hunting Safaris in Namibia
In The Press
The debate over the ethics of trophy hunting and its economic implications is complex, particularly as it impacts the conservation efforts and economic stability in African countries such as Namibia. Discussions in the UK and Europe about banning hunting trophy imports have raised concerns about the potential impacts on Namibian hunting safaris. Here we hope to improve understanding of how the Namibian conservancy structure supports ethical hunting and contributes to conservation and the local economy.
Recent UK and European Threats to Ban Trophy Imports
A Research Briefing found in the House of Commons Library, UK, published on 21 March 2024, shows that a Bill was presented for the Prohibition of Hunting Trophy Imports. It states, “The Bill would ‘make provision prohibiting the import of hunting trophies into Great Britain’”.
The Independent newspaper reported that the “Revived bid to ban trophy hunting imports moves closer to becoming law”. Conservative MP in the UK, Henry Smith stated: “This legislation is saying we in this country by a clear majority choose not to want to allow the importation of body parts of endangered species slaughtered and killed by hunters into Great Britain.”
Outspoken President of Botswana, Mokgweetsi Masisi, defends trophy hunting, particularly of elephants, based on severe overpopulation of elephants in Botswana (as is also the case in some other African countries), and describes the UK plans to ban trophy imports as “condescending”. He threatened to send 20,000 elephants to Germany in response to that country’s threat to ban trophy imports.
The Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe measures 14,651 square kilometers. Ideally, an elephant requires one square kilometer of land to survive, which means the ideal elephant population in Hwange would be around 14,000. Recent reports show approximately 44,000 elephants in Hwange – 30,000 too many for the habitat to maintain! Hwange National Park shares a border with Botswana. Elephants migrate across the border, resulting in as many as 50,000 elephants in Hwange at certain times. This overpopulation threatens to destroy the habitat, impact on other species and severely affect the ecosystem.
Effective conservation requires population control to ensure the sustainability of wildlife, anti-poaching measures, and habitat and ecosystem protection. Ethical hunting plays an important role in this conservation.
There is a lack of understanding in the UK and Europe of the realities in Africa, and perhaps their interference is, in fact, condescending.
Namibia’s Conservancy Structure
Namibia has pioneered a unique community-based conservation model through the establishment of conservancies. The conservancies are self-governing institutions that allow the communities to ‘take ownership and accountability’ by managing and benefiting from their wildlife resources. There are currently over eighty registered conservancies in Namibia, covering nearly twenty percent of the country’s land.
The Namibian conservancy model allows local communities to manage wildlife on their lands, thus incentivizing them to protect their resources. The conservancies generate revenue through photographic safaris, hunting safaris, and eco-tourism. This revenue is vital for funding conservation efforts, anti-poaching, and community development projects.
These conservancies have been effective in increasing wildlife populations and the reduction of poaching. Notably, the almost extinct black rhino and desert elephants, have significantly recovered their populations under this model.
The Impact of Ethical Hunting on Conservation
Regulated and sustainable ethical hunting plays a key role in conservation efforts. Trophy hunting generates a substantial income which aids conservation efforts, such as anti-poaching, scientific wildlife monitoring, and habitat management.
Ethical hunting helps to maintain balanced wildlife populations by targeting older, non-reproductive males, and prevents overpopulation, thus reducing human-wildlife conflict. The communities benefit from the revenue generated from ethical hunting, with job creation, social services, and infrastructure.
What does Ethical Hunting mean?
Ethical hunting is the practice of hunting in a manner that respects wildlife, ensures the ongoing sustainability of wildlife, and considers the welfare of the animals and the environment. Principles such as fair chase, conservation, and respect for local regulations and communities are key elements of ethical hunting.
Fair chase principles are in place to ensure the hunter does not have an unfair advantage, and that animals have a reasonable chance of evading. The emphasis is on respect for the animal. Practices such as using motorized vehicles for pursuit or baiting are not permitted. Animals must be hunted in their natural habitat, and not in enclosures.
Ethical hunting is conducted to ensure wildlife populations remain healthy and sustainable. This includes adhering to scientifically derived quotas and targeting specific age and sex to avoid negative impacts on the population. The health of the habitat is an important consideration when hunting.
Ethical hunters strive for a quick and humane kill to minimize the animal’s suffering, which requires using suitable and operational equipment, and experienced marksmanship. The animal meat is given to the community, and the hide and trophy are used to honor the life taken and minimize waste.
There are strict ethical hunting regulations in place that must be followed. These include hunting seasons, quotas, bag limits, and equipment required. Hunters must apply for and pay for hunting licenses and permits.
Ethical hunting requires that hunters minimize their impact on the environment, leaving minimal signs, and following guidelines for sustainable land use.
Ethical hunters often engage with the community and respect the cultural values of the communities where they hunt.
Economic Stability
Hunting safaris provide an important economic driver in Namibia, particularly in the rural areas where few employment opportunities exist. The hunting safaris are a source of job creation for guides, trackers, support and camp staff, and indirect employment through related services. The industry provides opportunities for small businesses to sell necessary supplies and tourism gifts, further stimulating the local economy.
The income from ethical hunting supports building schools, clinics, and other community infrastructure.
Economic Stability
There is significant ignorance in Europe regarding the effects of ethical hunting on wildlife, habitat conservation, and economic stability in countries like Namibia. The European stance of seeking to ban trophy imports fails to consider the realities on the ground.
European and the UK’s views on trophy hunting are shaped by different cultural and ecological contexts, which do not align with the conservation needs and economic realities in African countries.
If Europe and the UK ban trophy imports this will lead to reduced funding for conservation programs, anti-poaching efforts, community infrastructure, and management of human-wildlife conflicts caused by increased wildlife populations.
Europe should respect Namibia’s effective conservation models established to address the country’s specific circumstances and NOT undermine Namibia’s ability to manage its resources effectively, by banning trophy imports.
Conserve Wildlife and Empower Local Communities!
Europe and the UK need to understand that ethical hunting is just that, ethical. It seeks to manage the wildlife population to ensure sustainability and avoid overpopulation causing human-wildlife conflict. In Namibia, ethical hunting safaris are integral to conservation efforts and economic stability. The Namibian conservancy structure promotes wildlife conservation, empowers communities, and provides significant economic benefits.
European and UK policymakers need to understand these dynamics and consider the broader picture of the negative impact banned trophy imports will have on Namibia.
Let’s ask the question … “How are foxes controlled in the UK?” The answer is: “Baited cage trapping, shooting, and snaring.” It is also reported that about 39,000 foxes are killed annually by gamekeepers, 25% of which are killed using snares. Those in glass houses …
In the meantime, if you dream of visiting Namibia and participating in a hunting safari, make the most of this window of opportunity and book your hunt with Game Hunting Safaris who will link you with a licensed professional hunter and hunting outfitter who will help you achieve your dreams.
Namibia is a country of wide-open spaces and diverse landscapes including the Namib Desert along the coast, known for its high sand dunes and arid climate (be sure to book a quad bike experience in the dunes), the central plateau, which includes the capital city Windhoek, and the lush, subtropical Zambesi Province (previously known as the Caprivi Strip/Region) in the northeast. English is the official language, but many Namibians speak indigenous languages such as Oshiwambo, Herero, and Nama, as well as Afrikaans and German.
Discover Ethical Hunting in Namibia
Namibia is a country of wide-open spaces and diverse landscapes including the Namib Desert along the coast, known for its high sand dunes and arid climate (be sure to book a quad bike experience in the dunes), the central plateau, which includes the capital city Windhoek, and the lush, subtropical Zambesi Province (previously known as the Caprivi Strip/Region) in the northeast. English is the official language, but many Namibians speak indigenous languages such as Oshiwambo, Herero, and Nama, as well as Afrikaans and German. Game Hunting Safaris, and our affiliated hunting outfitters, support ethically regulated hunting in Namibia and surrounding countries.
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