News / National
Hunters hit back on international condemnation over Cecil killing
31 Jul 2015 at 08:11hrs | Views
Hunters in Zimbabwe have hit back at the international community who attacked them over the killing of the lion Cecil in Hwange.
Bucking against international outrage over the killing of Cecil the lion in Zimbabwe, professional hunters argue that their industry follows strict rules aimed at preserving wildlife and supporting local people.
"Animal lovers tend to forget the benefit that can be derived by properly managing a resource," said Emmanuel Fundira, president of the Safari Operators Association of Zimbabwe (SOAZ).
"They can't see it because their focus is on the sentimental value of trying to protect the animal.
"It's a different ball game altogether in Africa because the social benefits from hunting are huge."
Times reported that Zimbabwe issues an annual quota approved by CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) for the number of lions that can be hunted -- not usually more than 30, according to Fundira.
A hunter must have a permit, must only hunt in daylight, on private land, or approved state land, and be accompanied by a park ranger. No hunting is allowed in national reserves.
Usually, a lion hunt costs from $60,000 to $120,000 (55,000 to 110,000 euros) and takes place over seven to 21 days. Under certain conditions, bait is allowed.
The weapon of choice is a rifle, but a select few pay a premium for a bow and arrow kill.
"You pay an extra $3,000 to hunt using a bow and arrow," Fundira explained, adding that such hunts were "extremely exceptional".
Cecil was allegedly lured from a national reserve outside regular hours and shot with a bow and arrow.
It is unclear whether the hunter, American dentist Walter Palmer, had all the necessary permits.
Hunting fees are meant to be ploughed back into maintenance of the land and to pay local staff, though transparency is often poor.
Bucking against international outrage over the killing of Cecil the lion in Zimbabwe, professional hunters argue that their industry follows strict rules aimed at preserving wildlife and supporting local people.
"Animal lovers tend to forget the benefit that can be derived by properly managing a resource," said Emmanuel Fundira, president of the Safari Operators Association of Zimbabwe (SOAZ).
"They can't see it because their focus is on the sentimental value of trying to protect the animal.
"It's a different ball game altogether in Africa because the social benefits from hunting are huge."
Times reported that Zimbabwe issues an annual quota approved by CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) for the number of lions that can be hunted -- not usually more than 30, according to Fundira.
A hunter must have a permit, must only hunt in daylight, on private land, or approved state land, and be accompanied by a park ranger. No hunting is allowed in national reserves.
Usually, a lion hunt costs from $60,000 to $120,000 (55,000 to 110,000 euros) and takes place over seven to 21 days. Under certain conditions, bait is allowed.
The weapon of choice is a rifle, but a select few pay a premium for a bow and arrow kill.
"You pay an extra $3,000 to hunt using a bow and arrow," Fundira explained, adding that such hunts were "extremely exceptional".
Cecil was allegedly lured from a national reserve outside regular hours and shot with a bow and arrow.
It is unclear whether the hunter, American dentist Walter Palmer, had all the necessary permits.
Hunting fees are meant to be ploughed back into maintenance of the land and to pay local staff, though transparency is often poor.
Source - online
