Zimbabwe’s Parks and Wildlife Management Authority’s recent announcement that up to 500 Elephant hunting licenses will be sold for the next hunting season has been met with mixed responses. While the government and the local community welcome the income and population control benefits that this move will generate, there are ethical concerns from conservationists and animal rights groups. It is therefore important to understand the effects of the over-population of elephants on the habitat and the knock-on effects this has on other species.

To give some background on elephant hunting in Zimbabwe, its significance will help provide some insight into the economic, historical, and conservation-related importance.  Historically, elephants were hunted indiscriminately for their tusks, resulting in a drastic decline in the elephant population.  However, post-1980, the implementation of structured wildlife policies including regulated hunting has positively affected the population and conservation of wildlife.

The high fees for hunting licenses, including elephant hunting licenses, have contributed significantly to the country’s economy, which in turn has benefited the conservation and anti-poaching efforts as well as the protection of the habitat.

Elephant hunting is at the top of most avid hunters’ bucket lists. As with any sport, the greater the challenge, the bigger the prize. Elephant hunting requires stamina, patience, and a high degree of skill. Because of the elephant’s thick skin and size, weighing from 6,000 to 13,000 pounds (2,700 to 5,900 kg) this increases the difficulty of killing in one shot. Therefore, the hunter must understand the elephants’ anatomy and know exactly where the shot should be placed to ensure a quick and painless kill. The caliber of the firearm must also be sufficient to down an elephant. The hunting outfitter can advise the most suitable firearm to use.

Details of the Hunting Licenses

Up to 500 elephant hunting licenses will be issued for the upcoming hunting season. This forms part of Zimbabwe’s strategy to balance conservation with economic needs. This will provide the necessary revenue to continue conservation and community projects. However, there remains opposition to any form of hunting, which will likely continue to be a contentious issue, whatever the motivation.

Hunting licenses will be issued according to a quota system. This is derived from scientific assessments to manage the impact on the overall elephant population. To target only the elitist hunters, and at the same time maximize revenue generation, the elephant hunting licenses are sold at high prices. The licenses will be allocated on auctions and sales to professional hunters and hunting operators.

The quota regulations stipulate the age and sex of the elephants that may be hunted. This will be strictly monitored to maintain sustainable populations.

Conservation Funding

Revenue generated from hunting licenses has far-reaching benefits. Key to the success of any conservation efforts is the participation and buy-in of the local communities. A portion of the conservation funds goes towards improving the lives of communities close to the wildlife parks. This could be in the form of building schools, clinics, and other community projects.

Another vital element is reducing human-wildlife conflicts, such as building barriers to prevent elephants from raiding crops.

Funds raised from elephant hunting licenses are also used for important scientific research on wildlife populations, behavior, and ecology. This, in turn, assists informed decision-making and effective management strategies. Monitoring populations also helps determine appropriate quotas for hunting and establish the health of the ecosystems.

Benefits and Controversies of Elephant Hunting

While there is understandable opposition to hunting any animals, it is important to understand the flip side of not effectively managing the population, particularly of elephants, and the impact of overpopulation of elephants on the ecology, the knock-on effect on other species and the community.

Ideally, an elephant requires one square kilometer of land to survive. The Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe measures 14,651 square kilometers, which means the ideal elephant population 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 the border with Botswana. Elephants migrate across the border, resulting in as many as 50,000 elephants in Hwange at certain times.

Not only is the current population of elephants in Hwange National Park unsustainable from an ecological point of view, it also has a massive impact on the many other species sharing this land. This puts the issuing of just 500 elephant hunting licenses into some perspective.

What are other Southern African countries’ strategies involving hunting?

• Namibia: Namibia has a Community-Based Natural Resource Management (CBNRM) program that empowers local communities to form conservancies and manage and benefit from wildlife resources, including regulated hunting.  The revenue generated from regulated hunting is shared between the local communities and used to fund development projects, schooling, clinics, and other community needs.
• Botswana: Community-Based Organisations (CBOs) benefit economically from regulated hunting.  The hunting ban of 2014 was lifted in 2019 to manage overpopulation as well as human-wildlife conflict.  Conservation needs and socio-economic impacts are continuously monitored by the government.  The revenue from regulated hunting is used to manage habitats, fund conservation programs, and mitigate human-wildlife conflict. Germany’s recent proposal to impose new bans on hunting trophy imports met with a threat from Botswana’s President Mokgweetsi Masisi that he’ll send 20,000 of Botswana’s elephants to Germany and see how that country will cope!
• South Africa: Private game reserves play an important role in conservation in South Africa.  They offer regulated hunting which contributes to conservation funding and habitat management.  Hunting quotas are scientifically determined to ensure sustainability.  The hunting revenue is used for anti-poaching, community development, and conservation.
• Zambia: Again, the Zambian communities are involved in wildlife conservation in the Game Management Areas (GMAs), and benefit from the funds raised.  The funds from hunting licenses support conservation activities, habitat management, and anti-poaching activities.

These countries of Southern Africa have demonstrated that regulated hunting plays a significant role in wildlife conservation. A successful common denominator is the involvement of the communities in the conservation strategies. Integration of economic incentives with conservation goals achieves a balance between wildlife protection and community support.

Expert Opinions

The conservationist:
Most conservationists recognize that funding from regulated hunting can benefit conservation, anti-poaching, and the community if it is strictly monitored and complies with a scientifically derived quota system.  Ethically, their main concern is that humane practices are employed, e.g. use of fair chase methods.  It is also important that a combined approach of regulated hunting, habitat preservation, community engagement and eco-tourism is adopted.

The biologist:
Hunting quotas must be determined through detailed scientific data gathering, ensuring that only certain ages and sexes are targeted.  Selective hunting helps maintain genetic diversity and avoids negative impacts on animal populations.  Biologists show that an overpopulation of species such as the elephant can lead to habitat destruction thus affecting entire eco-systems.  Therefore, hunting is a useful and profitable tool to manage populations and maintain an ecological balance.  Long-term studies are required to understand the effects of hunting, and management must be adapted based on research findings.

The hunting expert:
While hunting experts support regulated hunting for their benefit, they also stress the importance of appropriate hunter training and ethical hunting practices.  Hunters must understand and adhere to regulations. 

Sustainable Big Game Hunting in Zimbabwe

These insights highlight the complexities of using regulated hunting as a means of conservation. There appears to be consensus that, provided there are strict scientifically based hunting quotas, effective management, and appropriate distribution of funds, regulated hunting does play an important role in conservation, habitat management, and community empowerment.

It’s time to tick that box on your bucket list and fulfill your dream to hunt and kill a magnificent African elephant. The elephant hunting season runs from February to November, with the best months being September to November.

Zimbabwe is a wonderful destination, with the most hospitable people in the world to assure you of the most amazing experience. Try to include a visit to Victoria Falls, Kariba, the magnificent Eastern Highlands and the historic Zimbabwe Ruins.

Game Hunting Safaris is committed to sustainable hunting and to ensuring that you are teamed up with an outfitter that will give you the experience of a lifetime.  You’ll be guaranteed excellent service by booking your hunt through Game Hunting Safaris.
 
Don’t hesitate any longer.  Give us a call.

Happy Hunting!

Book Your Elephant Hunting Adventure in Zimbabwe

For hunting enthusiasts, now is the perfect time to book your hunt and experience the thrill of pursuing one of Africa’s most formidable trophies: the elephant. Participating in elephant hunting in Zimbabwe offers a unique adventure and supports crucial conservation efforts. By joining this hunting season, you contribute to preserving Zimbabwe’s magnificent wildlife. Explore the vast opportunities offered by Zimbabwe’s diverse ecosystems and become part of the effort to sustain its natural heritage while enjoying an unparalleled hunting experience.