Africa is entering an age of increased autonomy, liberty, and prosperity following colonial and post-colonial periods. This dynamism is marked by changes in demographics and economic activity that are exerting significant influence on the practice of conservation in Africa. Africa’s overall market size is increasing. This growth trend is expected to continue as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), poised to be the largest trade bloc in the world, reaches scale and maturity. Representing more than 1 billion people and a gross domestic product of $3.4 trillion, the AfCFTA will liberalize trade on the continent by lowering barriers to market access and the mobility of labor. Increased demands for goods, services, and infrastructure will undoubtedly accompany this growth, with a likely increase in stress on African natural areas and ecosystems.
However, Africa’s wildlife and wild lands are disappearing and relentless attacks on hunting accelerate this process. Every year, trophy hunters kill thousands of exotic wild animals, representing hundreds of different species, in foreign countries, primarily in Africa. Wealthy trophy hunters pay big bucks to local cash-stripped governments for permits that grant them a choice of which animal to kill-Donald Trump’s two sons just killed several wild animals, including a giraffe and an elephant in Zimbabwe.
Let's delve into the facts surrounding animal hunting in Africa, exploring its role in conservation, economic impacts, and the ethical debates it ignites.
The Role of Trophy Hunting in Conservation
In the decades since many African states won their independence, trophy hunting has proven to be an effective, market-based tool to raise revenue and create economic incentives for wildlife conservation and sustainable development. As part of holistic conservation programs, trophy hunting enables African nations to practice conservation at landscape scales while improving the lives and livelihoods of rural and indigenous peoples in a way that reduces dependence on foreign aid and philanthropy.
At present, 13 African nations use trophy hunting to achieve their conservation goals. These nations are Cameroon, Central African Republic, Congo, Ethiopia, Liberia, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Republic of South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. These nations will soon be joined by Angola and Botswana, who have recently reopened to hunting but have yet to implement related programs.
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As of 2007, trophy hunting areas in Sub-Saharan Africa were estimated to conserve approximately 344 million acres of wildlife habitat. Many of these lands are remote and generally considered to be marginal and sub-marginal. Trophy hunting has provided a means by which these lands can be used to generate revenue and other benefits without converting them to agriculture.
The primary economic incentives for habitat conservation are derived via revenue-sharing agreements between rural communities, private enterprise, and conservation agencies and from direct payments to private landowners. For example, in Zimbabwe, under the Communal Areas Management Program for Indigenous Resources (CAMPFIRE), rural communities lease hunting and other tourism rights to commercial outfitters. The communities are then paid 50 percent of the revenues generated by the tourism activity. This arrangement has incentivized the conservation of 12 million acres of wildlife habitat in Zimbabwe and benefited 777,000 households. Trophy hunting accounts for 90 percent of the revenues raised, which totaled approximately $11.4 million between 2010 and 2015.
The incentives for wildlife and habitat conservation provided by the CAMPFIRE program are a significant contributing factor to Zimbabwe being home to the second largest elephant population in Africa, according to the IUCN African Elephant Specialist Group. The trophy hunting market has created incentives for farmers and ranchers to convert agricultural lands back into wildlife habitat. At present, approximately 50 million acres of private ranchlands in South Africa are being primarily managed for wildlife. These lands contain approximately 12 million head of game, twice the number found in South Africa’s national park system. One species that has been brought back from near extinction as a direct consequence of this system is the southern white rhino.
In 1960, South Africa’s population of this species numbered only 840 animals, and hunting them was illegal. By 1968 the population had increased to approximately 1,000, and hunting of the species was reopened.
Following Kenya’s complete ban on big-game hunting in the country, it has seen declines of between 72 percent and 88 percent in species that are relatively common in countries that allow hunting. These include warthog, lesser kudu, Thomson’s gazelle, eland, oryx, topi, hartebeest, impala, Grevy’s zebra, and waterbuck.
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Economic Impacts and Community Benefits
The principal conservation benefits of trophy hunting in Africa are the creation of economic incentives to conserve wildlife habitat and healthy wildlife populations. The potential of revenue generated by trophy hunting transforms wildlife and habitat into economic assets for individuals and communities and allows hunting to be competitive with other land-use options.
While critics argue that the number of jobs created by trophy hunting are low in comparison to the overall labor market, such criticism neglects that areas where trophy hunting occurs typically have low human population density with small labor pools. A fact that is too often not discussed is that there is no conservation without capital.
Finally, the exclusive focus of critics on cash revenues and related economic impact ignores the added value trophy hunting provides rural communities, especially in relation to food security. In Zambia, for instance, researchers with the University of California, Los Angeles and Mississippi State University estimate that trophy hunting annually provides more than 286,000 pounds of meat to rural communities adjacent to hunting areas.
It is now mandatory for all safari companies in Tanzania to support community wildlife projects. On a similar note, philanthropist Paul Tudor Jones sponsored the reintroduction of black rhino to three areas in the North Serengeti, and Tony Fitzjohn arranged the translocation of black rhino to Mkomazi National Park, both in Tanzania.
Ethical Considerations and Controversies
Trophy hunting is an elitist hobby for those excited to pay tens of thousands of dollars for a safari with the goal of killing a beautiful, large or rare exotic animal. SCI members kill particular species of animals to win so-called ‘Grand Slam’ and ‘Inner Circle’ titles.
Read also: Hunting in South Africa
The list of macabre ‘contests’ include the Africa Big Five, (leopard, elephant, lion, rhino, and buffalo); the North American Twenty Nine (all species of bear, bison, sheep, moose, caribou, and deer); and the Antlered Game of the Americas, among many other contests.
SCI members take short cuts in their hurry to beat competitors by killing captive and defenseless animals in canned hunts, both in the United States and in other countries. Corruption and unethical behavior is rampant in this bloodthirsty competition.
There is also no regard for species protected under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) such as the African elephant or leopards. Trophy hunters do not care about conservation, the struggle for survival of many animals. What they care about is killing the biggest and the best, and bringing home full trophy mounts or body parts.
The mantra of trophy hunters is that their killing “benefits conservation”, but not only are individual animals brutally sacrificed, trophy hunting poses a significant threat to the very survival of African lions.
The Trump administration’s recent lifting of the ban on importation of elephant tusks from certain African countries brought renewed attention to trophy hunting. Trophy hunting was put on center stage in 2015 when Cecil the lion was lured from a wildlife reserve in Zimbabwe and shot with an arrow from a compound bow. The hunter left Cecil to languish for countless hours until he returned to kill and behead the lion.
Most lion hunts in Africa are “canned”, leaving no means for the animal to escape from a fenced-in pen. Indeed, the operators commonly offer their facilities on a “no kill no fee” basis. These heartless acts require no skill and is not a game, as it does not involve a willing participant.
Trophy hunters claim that hunting is akin to what natural predators do by keeping populations strong and healthy. This is at odds with Darwin’s survival of the fittest principle. In the wild, predators seek out prey that are the weakest, whereas trophy hunters target the biggest and fittest animals.
The hunting industry and their governmental cohorts have proven to be a formidable force in fending off efforts by wildlife organizations to enact prohibitions against trophy hunting. Attempts at persuasion with government officials have met with limited success with only two countries (Kenya and Botswana) invoking a ban against these killing fields. A different approach with these officials is necessary.
It is imperative to make it clear to government officials that they can no longer have it both ways. The time is long overdue to banish trophy hunting. The recent lifting of the ban on importation of elephant tusks makes this goal all the more urgent.
Facts about Trophy Hunting in South Africa in 2023:
| Species | Number Hunted | Price (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Aardvark | - | $100 |
| Aardwolf | 10 | $100 |
| Bat-eared foxes | 10 | $100 |
| Color variants of springbuck | 722 | $1,200-1,700 |
| Golden wildebeest | 459 | $4,483 |
| White Rhinos | 78 | $35,000 |
| Lions | 521 | - |
Note: The information in this table is based on data from 2023 and may vary.
Preparing for an African Trophy Hunt
Avid hunters look for chances to explore new land and hunt new animals. An African hunt offers a unique experience for those looking to grow their trophy collection. Remember, however, that this isn’t your average hunt - you’ll have to prepare in different ways than normal.
When planning a trophy hunting trip, preparation is of the utmost importance. Because you’re spending more money on a hunt than normal, thorough research and preparation is necessary to ensure you get what you pay for. For many hunters, an African hunt is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Much of your research will likely be directed toward finding the right safari outfitter for your hunt. Price: Naturally, everyone wants to look for opportunities to save money. However, it’s best to be wary of prices that seem too good to be true, because most often they are. When one outfitter is significantly cheaper than the rest, there’s usually a reason. Either you’ll get a below-average experience, or you’ll get hit with hidden fees and additional costs. Reviews: Another important thing to consider when comparing outfitters is their reviews. Look for hunters’ past experiences. If there are a lot of negative reviews or poor experiences, take this as a red flag. Success rate: Keep in mind that just because people have good experiences doesn’t necessarily mean their hunt was successful. Type of animals: Another thing to consider when choosing an outfitter is what animals they can guide you to. Like we said earlier, some animals are location-specific.
Outside of research and all the administrative planning, you should work on sharpening your skills and physically and mentally preparing. Abilities you should sharpen include sighting using your gun and scopes and practicing shooting. Physical preparation is often necessary because much of African trophy hunting involves stalking the animals. Mental preparation is also important because you avoid setting far too high expectations. Animals are unpredictable and hunts won’t always go as planned.
The Impossible Ethical Bargain Behind African Safaris
While much about your African trophy hunt will be left up to your guide and the fate of the animals, you can do several things to help make your trip more successful.
- One of the best things you can do on your hunt is listen to your guide.
- If you’ve never shot off a shooting stick before, it’s best to practice as much as you can beforehand because this tool is likely what you’ll be using on your hunt. Be sure to practice balancing your rifle and adjusting the height and direction of the stick.
- While you’ll likely travel to Africa with a specific list of trophies in mind, one benefit of trophy hunting in Africa is being able to take trophies you hadn’t originally planned for.
- Bigger isn’t always better, and you could very well take an animal just fine with your deer-hunting rifle. Talk to the hunting outfitter and professional guide about the best gun.
- Choosing the right bullets is just as important as being comfortable with your gun. You’ll need a bullet that will puncture the tough skin and ideally leave an exit wound so there’s more blood to track.
- The hunting season in Africa is during the winter months of June, July and August. Mornings and evenings can be brisk and cold, while the days are often pleasant. It’s important to pack the appropriate clothes and dress in layers so you can adjust as the day warms up.
- African animals have different anatomies than ones in other areas of the world. Keep this in mind when making your shot.
- Your guide will often encourage you to make certain shots when they know you’re in a good position to do so. However, it’s important to remember that you should never take a shot unless you’re certain you can make a good one.
While trophy hunting in Africa, safety should be a big consideration and a large part of your planning. Before heading out on your hunt, plan for the worst with trophy hunting insurance.
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