Open letter to the President, EXCO and Members of PHASA:
ZIMBABWE PROFESSIONAL HUNTERS AND GUIDES ASSOCIATION·TUESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2017


On behalf of Zimbabwe Professional Hunters and Guides Association (ZPHGA), we would like to thank you for the recognition and gratitude voiced by your Executive Committee representative on behalf of PHASA, for the collaboration between ourselves during the two incidences of the loss of life of your members and friends during the year 2017.
Further we would like to thank your Executive Committee representative for taking the time to attend our 2017 AGM and explaining to our members the complexity of various issues faced by PHASA and the recent events surrounding the proposed changes to the PHASA Constitution and vision of these changes.
ZPHGA is unique in Africa in the fact that we embrace a holistic approach to our efforts in managing our wildlife and environment through both sectors of consumptive and non-consumptive, as we comprise professional hunters and professional guides.
In response to the facts laid out by Mr. York, the Executive Committee of ZPHGA have been tasked by the member ship, to formally respond as follows:-
• ZPHGA acknowledges that the majority of PHASA members in a poll had voted in favour of effectively continuing CBLH.
• ZPHGA acknowledges the 2017 Resolution made by PHASA: “PHASA accepts the responsible hunting of ranched lions on SAPA accredited hunting ranches with the relevant legal framework and/or according to recommendations of the applicable hunting association, such as SCI’s fair chase standards”
• ZPHGA acknowledges that the wildlife management model in South Africa is vastly different to its neighbours’ and is based on wildlife ownership by the landowners and a game ranching model.
• ZPHGA acknowledges that the PHASA constitution is to be changed to be in line with the laws of the country and not by any superior law or recommendations as far as wildlife ownership goes
• ZPHGA acknowledges that CBLH continued in 2015, 2016 and 2017
• ZPHGA acknowledges that PHASA follows the regulations of TOPS
Although ZPHGA finds the decision to only be guided by laws and regulations of the country and reported economics of CBLH and not by the will of the (hunting) world, as puzzling, ZPHGA respects the sovereignty of each country and that PHASA is a democratic association run by its members, and to date the recognised voice of South Africa’s hunting industry.
Having said that, PHASA has to realise the consequences of its actions and respect the decision now made by ZPHGA, as one of Zimbabwe’s prominent wildlife and environment voices. Zimbabwe has, first-hand, experienced the implications of world perception and influence after the infamous Cecil incident - and realised how our actions have ramifications stretching from Zimbabwe to Alaska.
Zimbabwe has at the 2015, 2016 and 2017 PHASA AGMs, pleaded with the members of PHASA to discontinue the practice of CBLH as it would bring the “Professional Hunting” fraternity into dispute, as the practice can no longer be tolerated by fellow African Professional hunting organisations and the world and will never be perceived as fair chase.
The impression of PHASA that CBLH will be accepted by fellow Professional Hunting Organisations and the general public is, without question wrong, according to our members (Unanimous vote). Having guidelines in PHASA’s constitution on how to proceed and having to be SAPA (South African Predators Association) accredited properties and to follow the TOPS regulations, is simply a way of justifying it to yourselves and hoodwinking the naive into believing that the practice of CBLH can in its proposed form be considered fair chase, sustainable and a conservation tool, even though these regulations do not comply with current SCI recommendations or are not in line with fair chase in the rest of Africa.
The reality remains that unlike other wildlife ‘ranched’ in SA, proposed lion territories and ranges are not natural in size and conditions, in recommended CBLH environments in SA. In our opinion, it therefore should be recognised for what it is - Lion Production - not Lion Ranching, certainly not Lion hunting and unequivocally not fair chase.
Herein lies the problem, Zimbabwe has been faced with a number of challenges in our efforts to protect sustainable and ethical professional hunting. Challenges that we have embraced and are overcoming in our effort to grow with changes in global wildlife management policies while maintaining and protecting professional fair chase hunting - as the foundation for protecting our marginal and isolated ecosystems and wildlife from human encroachment. The decision to continue with CBLH made by PHASA at the 2017 AGM undermines the efforts made by Zimbabwe, and other countries, in branding Professional Hunting as a major conservation tool.
Even though Zimbabwe has had a healthy, long standing relationship with PHASA and its members, and have continuously pleaded and engaged with PHASA on this matter, it is with regret that ZPHGA can no longer consider PHASA as a “Professional Hunting” association in the future, as PHASA’s recent decisions are not in line with our ideology of what ‘professionalism’ in the hunting industry should encompass. PHASA has inadvertently divided and alienated itself from the Professional Hunting fraternity. Respecting your sovereignty, PHASA is now recognised by ZPHGA as nothing more than a hunting association of South African hunters.
ZPHGA is not in the business of game breeding or game ranching and is in fact an association of passionate professional hunters and professional guides, founded to uphold the high conservational and professional standards in our respective professions for the benefit of Zimbabwe’s wildlife and environment. We therefore do not foresee ourselves having many cross cutting issues in the future of “Professional Hunting” with your association, but will continue to recognise PHASA as a “Hunting Association” in South Africa and look forward to a credible “Professional” hunting organisation being reestablished as the South African voice of Professional hunting and conservation, to join in our endeavours to change the ill-informed perception of Professional hunting.
Yours Sincerely
On behalf of ZPHGA’s Executive Committee and members
James Rosenfels
Chairman - ZPHGA

There is of course a big difference between "canned" and captive bred. The problem is the media which no longer reports facts but opinions. ZPHGA is to be commended.

Here, Here.

I suspect the remaining members of PHASA may continue to receive a response such as this, and others, that they have already received from many of the ethical and reputable hunting organisations world wide.

I believe there is a new Professional Hunting organisation being formed in SA. May they succeed in every respect and go from strength to strength

Does that mean the new organization would stand against farm bred animal hunts??

Well done ZPHGA. Refreshing to see groups like this take a stand for ethical and responsible hunting and against practices like canned lion hunting that do nothing more than bring condemnation down on hunters all for the sake of lining the pockets of a few with a handful of dollars.

Where are SCI, DSC and HSC on PHASA's actions?

quote:

Originally posted by MJines:
Well done ZPHGA. Refreshing to see groups like this take a stand for ethical and responsible hunting and against practices like canned lion hunting that do nothing more than bring condemnation down on hunters all for the sake of lining the pockets of a few with a handful of dollars.

Where are SCI, DSC and HSC on PHASA's actions?

I agree with MJines, very well done ZPHGA! I'm in particular in absolute agreement with the thoughts expressed on behalf of ZPHGA here: "The impression of PHASA that CBLH will be accepted by fellow Professional Hunting Organisations and the general public is, without question wrong, according to our members (Unanimous vote). Having guidelines in PHASA’s constitution on how to proceed and having to be SAPA (South African Predators Association) accredited properties and to follow the TOPS regulations, is simply a way of justifying it to yourselves and hoodwinking the naive into believing that the practice of CBLH can in its proposed form be considered fair chase, sustainable and a conservation tool, even though these regulations do not comply with current SCI recommendations or are not in line with fair chase in the rest of Africa."

You may add my name and particulars as one who votes that the assumption by PHASA that if the world's hunters, let alone the anti-hunting organisations, are regularly given the true facts and subjected to some very often repeated positive "spin" on this will not by a long shot be convinced that a captive bred lion can ever be hunted ethically. A captive bred and released lion can at best be shot within rules that some, or even many, will consider to be reasonable. But can such a lion ever be ethically hunted? In my personal view the only reply is probably NEVER EVER!

My best wishes goes to the current EXPO of PHASA who has an enormous task ahead to salvage what can be saved of the reputation of the South African Professional Hunting community.

S.A has always been my last recommendation to anyone wanting to hunt Africa. Money can buy anything in S.A. unfortunately it can't buy ethics.

quote:

Originally posted by Saeed:
Does that mean the new organization would stand against farm bred animal hunts??

It will be interesting to see how that hair is split...

I suppose if it has whiskers it's off limits. Oh geeez that won't work either.