UK trophy ban: SADC hunting industry on tenterhooks

Southern African nations that depend on trophy-hunting revenues to boost their economy and enhance wildlife management efforts may face devastating impacts should a proposed bill to ban the import of hunting trophies into the United Kingdom (UK) be passed.

An engagement was held in Botswana last week on the proposed ban.

The hunting industry contributes about 4.5 billion pula (about N$6.22 billion) to Botswana’s gross domestic product (GDP) and directly employees about 3 000 people. The government of Botswana invited journalists from several southern African countries, including Namibia, to engage with its tourism minister, the Botswana Wildlife Producers Association (BWPA), experts, academics and communities on how hunting benefits the country.

While the UK – taking up 10% - is not Botswana’s largest export market for hunting trophies, there are concerns about the spill-over effect the ban could have if other countries follow suit. Most of Botswana’s hunting trophies go to the United States of America.

Seriously concerned

Tourism minister Dumezweni Mthimkhulu said Botswana’s government is seriously concerned about the developments in the West.

“Those who reside in the areas where hunting takes place drive their communities through various community-based organisations, through hunting concessions and trophy hunting.” He stressed that this is their main source of income.

“Those communities only deal with consumptive tourism. We cannot give it any other forms of tourism, because the area, the vegetation, does not allow for any other forms of tourism to take place.”

He pointed out that should people no longer have any incentive to look after animals, the Kavango–Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA TFCA) may fall apart.

“In Botswana, they are going demand that land which was earmarked as a conservation area and they are going to drive the animals away to Angola, where they will be killed. So, this is a self-defeating act. Give people an incentive to conserve.”

Substantial risks

The BWPA represents nearly 80% of game-ranch owners and all hunting operators in Botswana. The association’s chairperson Leonard Matenje said the proposed ban carries substantial risks for conservation and livelihoods. It will have an effect on the viability of the hunting industry in many other countries, he added.

“The potential spill-over effect of an import ban in the UK will influence other countries to follow suit - countries such as Finland, Greece, Germany and Italy are considering hunting import bans or restrictions. These threats cannot be ignored.”

BWPA CEO Isaac Theophilus agreed that the impact of the trophy-hunting ban - through the domino effect from one country to another - is of great concern.

“If you take Namibia, for instance, their hunting relies mainly on hunters from Germany. Germany is also already proposing a similar hunting ban. The overall effect will [have] a huge impact on the hunting industry in southern Africa.

“They should allow us to use our resources sustainably. We are not saying ‘let us wipe out all the wildlife in southern Africa’,” he bemoaned.

The total elephant population in the KAZA TFCA is 230 000, of which 60% is in Botswana.

“So, you can imagine the damage, the conflicts that come with a growing elephant population. We are saying we want to use our resources for the well-being of our rural population. Those are the people who bear the brunt of living side-by-side with wildlife.”

Emotion rather than science

Associate professor at the Okavango Research Institute Dr Richard Fynn said the future of conservation lies in communities’ hands, but the West does not understand the science. They act on emotion rather than science, he noted.

“This lobby is a very emotional thing and communities get ignored in the process.”

Mochaba Developments managing director Debbie Peake said the areas identified for hunting are marginalised and cannot be used for photographic purposes.

She added that these areas employ semi-skilled workers who may not be able to read or write and will not find employment anywhere else.

“This ban was never considered or communicated with any African counties. This bill needs to be killed before going any further. Hunting cannot operate in a restricted market, it will falter.”

Namibian Sun also visited the Phuduhudu village within the Nxai Pan National Park, with community members saying they are all in support of hunting because it allows them to support themselves and their families.