Tourists equipped with shotguns are a real threat to the future of the African lion population, according to a wildlife expert.
The Independent today quotes David Macdonald, director of the Wildlife Conservation Research Unit at Oxford University, who says the number of big cats being shot must be “radically cut” or the species is in real danger of extinction.
Recent estimates, the newspaper reports, suggest that there are around 23,000 lions in Africa compares to 10 times that figure just 20 years back. The Independent states that lions inhabit around 30 African countries but they are only protected in 12 of them, and alleges that in 12 states “trophy hunting” takes place with the full blessing of the government.
The professor reportedly told the newspaper that hunting needed to be scaled down drastically and heavily regulated: “We need a formula that gives as much money as possible to communities to enable local people to value their lions. A lot of it can be done with photo-tourism but it is possible that strictly regulated hunting may be needed as well.”
The newspaper highlights one “hunting consultancy”, Wildlife Safaris, whose website advertises hunts in South Africa, Zimbabwe, New Zealand and North America. It displays “trophy fees” ranging from USD1 for a dove, through USD4,500 for a male lion, to USD10,000 for a bull elephant.
