Trophy hunting not an option to finance conservation in Africa

The African Wildlife Foundation (AWF) has called for the re-evaluation of conservation models across the continent following the killing of a lion in Zimbabwe by trophy hunters. The six-year-old lion, named Xanda, was shot by an American trophy hunter near the Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe. His father, Cecil the lion, was also killed in similar circumstances two years ago.

Kaddu Sebunya, AWF President, said sport-hunting and any trade in wildlife products should be banned and other non-consumptive means put in place to replace the revenue earned from limited hunting quotas.

"This incident is a sad reminder that Africa must not rely on the killing of rare species to finance conservation. It is a call to the conservation community, institutions, and governments to increase investment in alternative financing to support programs such as relocation, eco-tourism development, and securing space for these species to thrive,” said Kaddu.

Some African countries fund their conservation efforts through trophy hunting, sometimes allowing wealthy hunters to track and shoot down a range of species, some of which are on the endangered list. 
The International Union for the Conservation of Nature’s Red List classifies the lion as “Vulnerable,” meaning the species faces a high risk of extinction in the wild in the medium-term future. A species population reduction of approximately 30 percent is estimated to have occurred over the past two decades—about three lion generations.

Kaddu said while it was difficult for range states to finance and manage the conservation of these species, it is important for the global community to invest in conservation efforts to mitigate the need for African states to employ hunting of these rare and endangered species to finance conservation.

He said the presence of lions signifies a healthy ecosystem with prey species and symbolizes conservation success. 

“As an Africa-based organization we have a deep appreciation of the cultural and economic value that lions and other rare and iconic species play in a modern Africa,” Kaddu said.

The continental population of African lions is estimated at between 25,500 – 32,000. Lions have undergone an enormous reduction in their range, having become extinct in North Africa and severely depleted in West and Central Africa. The largest lion populations remain in eastern and southern Africa. In South Africa, more than 350 lions have been reintroduced in more than 20 small, isolated reserves. 

AWF supports projects that mitigate conflict between humans and lions in Kenya, Zimbabwe, and Tanzania. We work with national governments to develop lion conservation and management strategies, including numbers and population trends across the continent.