Advertised hunts illegal
A trophy hunt for a desert-adapted lion and a desert elephant in the Torra Conservancy in the Kunene Region that has caused outrage and a public outcry on social media has turned out to be illegal and unapproved by the environmental ministry.
The hunt that was advertised by outfitters Savannah Safaris Namibia on social media has since been removed while their Facebook page has also been deleted following a barrage of critique from the anti-hunting lobby.
Very little details are available on their website and the only contact details, ostensibly in the US.
The environmental ministry has since been urged to explain the hunt and provide details.
By yesterday afternoon the ministry confirmed it has issued no permits for either hunt.
When the advertisement came to light, members of the public said the ministry suspended all trophy hunts on desert-adapted male lions four years and demanded answers on why the moratorium was lifted. Savannah Safaris Namibia were also accused that they were planning to lure the “dark-maned lion” out of a tourist concession where hunting is not allowed. Baiting fees were included in the cost. Both the lion and elephant hunt were being offered in the Torra Conservancy and for 14-day period. The desert elephant bull hunt which included the trophy fee was being offered for N$1.05 million.
“We have not had a desert elephant trophy tag in several years, this is not very common, pretty rare. Exportable ivory,” said the advertisement.
Furthermore according to the advertisement a full black-maned lion hunt was also offered for N$1.05 million and included the trophy fee and baiting.
“These lions don't see much hunting pressure, last one we took was four years ago.”
Conservationists said that they specifically remember the lion shot four years ago as it went down as one of the most unethical and immoral killings known and caused the moratorium on the hunting of desert-adapted lions. A collared lion XPL 35 was baited and shot while mating with Monica XPL 36. The professional hunter, Fred Bezuidenhoudt, came under heavy public scrutiny and criticism.
However, spokesperson of the ministry, Romeo Muyunda yesterday told Namibian Sun that they are aware of the advertisement and that the matter will be addressed. He said that permits for such a hunt have not been issued by the ministry. According to him the Torra Conservancy was awarded a quota for a trophy hunt of one lion, but the conservancy was not awarded a quota to hunt an elephant. He also pointed out that even though the conservancy was awarded a quota to hunt a lion that an application to hunt the animal has not been made to the ministry and therefore a permit has not been issued.
Some claims have already been circulated that of the N$ 1 100 000 paid for of the desert adapted lion trophy hunt the community in the Torra Conservancy will get about N$40 to N$50 000.
ELLANIE SMIT
The hunt that was advertised by outfitters Savannah Safaris Namibia on social media has since been removed while their Facebook page has also been deleted following a barrage of critique from the anti-hunting lobby.
Very little details are available on their website and the only contact details, ostensibly in the US.
The environmental ministry has since been urged to explain the hunt and provide details.
By yesterday afternoon the ministry confirmed it has issued no permits for either hunt.
When the advertisement came to light, members of the public said the ministry suspended all trophy hunts on desert-adapted male lions four years and demanded answers on why the moratorium was lifted. Savannah Safaris Namibia were also accused that they were planning to lure the “dark-maned lion” out of a tourist concession where hunting is not allowed. Baiting fees were included in the cost. Both the lion and elephant hunt were being offered in the Torra Conservancy and for 14-day period. The desert elephant bull hunt which included the trophy fee was being offered for N$1.05 million.
“We have not had a desert elephant trophy tag in several years, this is not very common, pretty rare. Exportable ivory,” said the advertisement.
Furthermore according to the advertisement a full black-maned lion hunt was also offered for N$1.05 million and included the trophy fee and baiting.
“These lions don't see much hunting pressure, last one we took was four years ago.”
Conservationists said that they specifically remember the lion shot four years ago as it went down as one of the most unethical and immoral killings known and caused the moratorium on the hunting of desert-adapted lions. A collared lion XPL 35 was baited and shot while mating with Monica XPL 36. The professional hunter, Fred Bezuidenhoudt, came under heavy public scrutiny and criticism.
However, spokesperson of the ministry, Romeo Muyunda yesterday told Namibian Sun that they are aware of the advertisement and that the matter will be addressed. He said that permits for such a hunt have not been issued by the ministry. According to him the Torra Conservancy was awarded a quota for a trophy hunt of one lion, but the conservancy was not awarded a quota to hunt an elephant. He also pointed out that even though the conservancy was awarded a quota to hunt a lion that an application to hunt the animal has not been made to the ministry and therefore a permit has not been issued.
Some claims have already been circulated that of the N$ 1 100 000 paid for of the desert adapted lion trophy hunt the community in the Torra Conservancy will get about N$40 to N$50 000.
ELLANIE SMIT
Comments
Namibian Sun
No comments have been left on this article