Is trophy hunting sustainable?

Most people would consider the killing of wild and endangered animals like lions and rhinos by wealthy western tourists as an appalling sport that minders the population of said animals. But trophy hunting can potentially have a positive effect on the economy and the animals themselves.

In South Africa the legalisation of white rhinoceros hunting has increased the rhino population from under 100 species to more than 11'000.. It was also beneficial for Zimbabwe's elephants: the area of the country under wildlife management has doubled.

Scientists recommend that only older, non breeding males, or more younger males that have already produced offspring should be used for trophy hunting. Sport hunting of male animals can only reduce the population when the males are no longer able to impregnate the females. Countries like Namibia follow those scientific recommendations.

If the revenue that is generated by the trophy hunting goes back to the community, people that live in these countries are more likely to protect the animals from illegal poachers who want to sell Elephant tusks or the horns of rhinoceros on the black market. They are also more likely to give the animals more space to live. Illegal hunting and the loss of living space are the biggest factors in the decline of the endangered animals.

So if the money goes back to the community and the hunting organisation follow the scientific recommendations, trophy hunting can indeed be sustainable but it is not a perfect solution since it includes killing animals.

Pictures:

http://cdn.24.co.za/files/Cms/General/d/3190/db8c968c91274a43abf8dd36caf9f6af.jpg

Sources:

http://www.conservationmagazine.org/2014/01/can-trophy-hunting-reconciled-conservation/

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/6304326_Sustainable_trophy_hunting_of_Africa_lions

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YUA8i5S0YMU