Namibia Considering Closing Leopard & Cheetah Through 2010

Namibian Trophy Hunting Industry Decides on Drastic Measures to Ensure Fair Chase, Ethical Hunting


Here below is a statement, which was forwarded to the Honourable Minister of MET (Ministry of Environment & Tourism) by NAPHA (Namibian Professional Hunting Association) for their urgent attention.


The Executive Committee of the Namibian Professional Hunting Association (NAPHA) called an urgent Special General Meeting of members on the 31st July in order to discuss the challenges currently facing Leopard and Cheetah hunting in Namibia.

The Ministry of Environment and Tourism issued a moratorium for Cheetah Trophy Hunting Permits and Leopard Trophy Hunting Permits for 2009, on the 24th April and 15th June ‘09 respectively. Reasoning for the moratoria on issuing trophy permits for these two species was that the CITES export quota had been exhausted. This Ministry of Environment and Tourism’s decision was supported by the Association and the members, although a few Hunting Professionals were forced to inform hunting clients of the development at short notice.

As increasing reports of alleged unscrupulous, unethical and illegal hunting practices, often involving unregistered and unqualified persons (often foreigners) posing as hunting professionals had reached NAPHA, the Executive Committee was of the opinion that urgent action was required in order to secure the future of the Namibian trophy hunting industry as well as the reputation of Namibia as a destination for fair chase and ethical trophy hunting.

Lively discussion and debates on the status quo and the future of Leopard and Cheetah hunting, as well as the hunting of Leopard with hounds, took place at the meeting which lasted for 6 hours. The following motions, which will determine the immediate as well as long-term future of trophy hunting in Namibia, were passed by an overwhelming majority:

The NAPHA Executive Committee is instructed to request the Namibian Ministry of Environment and Tourism to:

1. Temporarily suspend Leopard hunting with hounds with immediate effect;

2. Not to issue Leopard Trophy Hunting Permits for 2010 in order to use the year to put effective Leopard trophy hunting control mechanisms in place;

3. Not to issue Cheetah Trophy Hunting Permits for 2010 in order to use the year to put effective Cheetah trophy hunting control mechanism in place.

A Predator Hunting Committee was elected to work on the drawing-up and implementation of effective hunting control mechanisms. Committee members are: Karl Stumpfe, Danie van Ellewee, Zane Cooper, Andre’ Swanepoel and Johan Kotze. Members of the NAPHA Executive will also serve on the committee.

The Namibian Professional Hunting Association advises all trophy hunters arriving in Namibia that it is essential to make sure that their Outfitter, Hunting Guide or PH is in possession of an original Namibian Ministry of Environment and Tourism Trophy Hunting Permit which specifies the following:

1. Name of client;

2. Name of Hunting Guide or PH who will personally guide the client throughout the hunt;

3. Valid date;

4. Huntable species.


It is important to be in possession of this document before commencing the hunt, as failure to do so may result in criminal prosecution and the confiscation of hunting trophies by the authorities.

Almut Kronsbein
CEO of NAPHA

Soon are only a few cat hunting places left in Africa IMO



Seloushunter

quote:

A Predator Hunting Committee was elected to work on the drawing-up and implementation of effective hunting control mechanisms. Committee members are: Karl Stumpfe, Danie van Ellewee, Zane Cooper, Andre’ Swanepoel and Johan Kotze. Members of the NAPHA Executive will also serve on the committee.

Very interesting members are in that commitee...


Seloushunter

quote:

1. Temporarily suspend Leopard hunting with hounds with immediate effect;

1. Temporarily suspend Leopard hunting with hounds with immediate effect;


Does this mean if someone is already booked this year for a leopard/dog hunt they have to switch to bait or cancel?

quote:

Does this mean if someone is already booked this year for a leopard/dog hunt they have to switch to bait or cancel?

Only if MET appoves NAPHA's motion.

I can see at least two big cat hunters that use dogs in the committee, what do you think the outcome will be in all of this Karl ?

I am one of the unlucky ones to not get a hunting permit for leopard for "09" and had to cancel my trip. I get my deposit refunded. There is currently 290 permits out on a 250 quota. Over utilization of the resource.

My understanding is, not giving out new permits for 2010 will help clean out the existing permits with export through out 2010.

I just hope to he one of the first for the 2011 permits.

Good hunting to all.

I hesitate posting this given all the discounted hunts currently available... but methinks if one is seriously contemplating a leopard hunt for 2010, one should consider putting some money down on a hunt now. The hunting companies in Zimbabwe, especially those in the better areas, do not seem to be struggling to sell their leopard, and with the disruption in Namibia, Zim is the logical alternative for those intent on hunting leopard next year.

From the Hunting Report

Heads Up On Leopard Hunting in Namibia

(posted August 04, 2009)

The Hunting Report has learned that the Namibia Professional Hunting Association (NAPHA) is requesting that the Namibian Ministry of Environment and Tourism temporarily suspend leopard hunting with hounds immediately for the remainder of 2009 and suspend leopard and cheetah hunting in general for 2010. These recommendations are the result of a Special General Meeting of NAPHA members held on Friday, July 31, 2009. Importantly, as this was written, the recommendations had not been adopted yet by the Ministry of Environment and Tourism.

The special meeting of NAPHA members was called due to what NAPHA says were increasing reports of "alleged unscrupulous, unethical and illegal hunting practices, often involving unregistered and unqualified persons posing as hunting professionals." NAPHA's Executive Committee felt the developments were serious enough to warrant urgent action, or risk the future of leopard and cheetah hunting in Namibia and the destination's reputation for fair chase and ethical hunting.

NAPHA reports that after a six-hour discussion, a large majority of members voted in favor of the motions to suspend hunting with hounds immediately and to withhold the issuing of leopard and cheetah export permits for 2010 until an "effective trophy hunting control mechanism" can be put in place. To that end, NAPHA members elected a Predator Hunting Committee charged with the task of designing and implementing such mechanisms to ensure the ethical hunting of these species in Namibia.

It is unknown at this time whether the Ministry of Environment and Tourism will adopt these recommendations, but I will let you know immediately if that happens. In the meantime, hunters with booked leopard hunts involving the use of hounds for 2009 or any leopard hunt for 2010 should contact their operators immediately to determine their alternatives should the ministry follow NAPHA's recommendations.

Leopard hunts that do not involve the use of dogs should be unaffected for 2009. NAPHA advises that hunters make sure their operator has a leopard export permit in hand before going after these cats. Upon arrival, hunters should insist on seeing an original Namibian Ministry of Environment and Tourism Trophy Hunting Permit that includes the hunter's name, the name of the guide or PH who will guide the client throughout the hunt, the date of the hunt and the species. It is illegal to hunt leopards without an export permit in hand. Doing so may result in criminal prosecution and confiscation of the trophy by authorities.


Seloushunter

Interesting to see they're wanting a similar moratorium as PHASA adopted some years ago on hunting with hounds.

Can I add to the HR comment of

'It is illegal to hunt leopards without an export permit in hand. Doing so may result in criminal prosecution and confiscation of the trophy by authorities.'

That the hunter is ALSO supposed to have his import permit BEFORE he hunts the cat. Many people don't bother to do this and only apply for their import permit after their hunt, but technically, they're supposed to have it beforehand.

quote:

That the hunter is ALSO supposed to have his import permit BEFORE he hunts the cat. Many people don't bother to do this and only apply for their import permit after their hunt, but technically, they're supposed to have it beforehand.

Thats true i see a lot of hunters going to tanzania doing the same.

Seloushunter

quote:

Originally posted by mboga biga bwana:
Thats true i see a lot of hunters going to tanzania doing the same.
Seloushunter

Yup!

We always make a point of telling ours but we often get contacted via our shakariconnection.com site by hunters who have booked elsewhere asking what they need to do because no bugger seems to have told them.

I've gotta say a lot of local CITES offices don't seem to know the proper procedure either.

quote:

Originally posted by mboga biga bwana:

quote:

That the hunter is ALSO supposed to have his import permit BEFORE he hunts the cat. Many people don't bother to do this and only apply for their import permit after their hunt, but technically, they're supposed to have it beforehand.

Thats true i see a lot of hunters going to tanzania doing the same.

Seloushunter

It is actually even worse in Tanzania.

I have heard of clients arriving in their camp, and their hunting license is not ready yet, which means they either sit twiggling their fingers in camp, or bribe the game scout to let them start their hunt, with the hope the license would be coming before the end of their hunt.

There is absolutely no excuse for this sort of thing to happen.

quote:

Originally posted by Saeed:

quote:

Originally posted by mboga biga bwana:

quote:

That the hunter is ALSO supposed to have his import permit BEFORE he hunts the cat. Many people don't bother to do this and only apply for their import permit after their hunt, but technically, they're supposed to have it beforehand.

Thats true i see a lot of hunters going to tanzania doing the same.

Seloushunter

It is actually even worse in Tanzania.

I have heard of clients arriving in their camp, and their hunting license is not ready yet, which means they either sit twiggling their fingers in camp, or bribe the game scout to let them start their hunt, with the hope the license would be coming before the end of their hunt.

There is absolutely no excuse for this sort of thing to happen.

Saeed:

I think its rather unfair of you to pinpoint Tanzania.

I'm sure this doesn't happen when you hunt with Roy because Roy will know exactly what
is required and will ensure all is in order prior to your arrival, nor will it happen if
you hunt with any other long established bona-fide outfitter in Tanzania.

The likelihood of such screwups come about through those "rock bottom" deals which
are not restricted to Tanzania alone.
Most clients have been made aware of such dubious deals yet some think otherwise and will
embark on these adventures nonetheless and once smitten will post their grievances crying foul!

From what I have heard, this has happened with some of the bigger operators in Tanzania, and not with the rock bottom crowd.

quote:

Originally posted by Saeed:
From what I have heard, this has happened with some of the bigger operators in Tanzania, and not with the rock bottom crowd.

Long established, bona-fide is not the same as "bigger operators" - according to what
you have heard would you care to share the identities of these operators so that some of the
esteemed clients on AR can know in advance whom to avoid?

Both the clients and outfitters involved are active here on AR.

If the clients want to make that public, it is their choice.

I am hoping the outfitters will see this and make sure it does not happen again.

In fact, most of the problems that are brought to my attention have occured in Tanzania.

quote:

Originally posted by Saeed:
Both the clients and outfitters involved are active here on AR.

If the clients want to make that public, it is their choice.

I am hoping the outfitters will see this and make sure it does not happen again.

In fact, most of the problems that are brought to my attention have occured in Tanzania.

Would it not stand to reason that you eject these outfitters from AR?

After all, they fall under the dubious outfitters category at the expense of members
and non members of AR and by allowing them to participate on the forum is similar to
"aiding and abetting" their activities.

quote:

It is actually even worse in Tanzania.

I have heard of clients arriving in their camp, and their hunting license is not ready yet, which means they either sit twiggling their fingers in camp, or bribe the game scout to let them start their hunt, with the hope the license would be coming before the end of their hunt.

There is absolutely no excuse for this sort of thing to happen.

quote:

quote:
Originally posted by Saeed:
From what I have heard, this has happened with some of the bigger operators in Tanzania, and not with the rock bottom crowd.


Long established, bona-fide is not the same as "bigger operators" - according to what
you have heard would you care to share the identities of these operators so that some of the
esteemed clients on AR can know in advance whom to avoid?

quote:

Both the clients and outfitters involved are active here on AR.

If the clients want to make that public, it is their choice.

I am hoping the outfitters will see this and make sure it does not happen again.

In fact, most of the problems that are brought to my attention have occured in Tanzania.

How about the Famous Intercon Company.....

Seloushunter

quote:

Would it not stand to reason that you eject these outfitters from AR?

Why should I?

There are a lot more clients who have hunted with them who have been very happy.

It is really up to the Tanzanian game department to deal with such outfitters. And I am not holding my breath.

Just look how many years the likes of Mark Sullivan have been welcomed there.

quote:

Just look how many years the likes of Mark Sullivan have been welcomed there.

Only for one reason $$$


Seloushunter

quote:

Originally posted by mboga biga bwana:

quote:

Just look how many years the likes of Mark Sullivan have been welcomed there.

Only for one reason $$$


Seloushunter

Saeed:

He's welcome at SCI Conventions and by courtesy of the Game Dept. and maybe a handful of
unscrupulous outfitters to Tanzania.

Mark Sullivan, to the best of my knowledge is not a Tanzania registered outfitter - he just
sub-leases areas from they who are only interested in a quick buck, to put his show on the road.
Has he ever been given the opportunity to conduct his business with well known and reputable
outfitters? - unlikely.

It is the same bunch (again a handful) who spend the client's deposits before the season has even started only
find themselves up sh1t creek on the 1st July and the unfortunate client having to (in most cases) dig into his
pocket and pay for hunting permit, fuel, supplies, etc. etc.

I very much doubt the same situation would be experienced with TGT, Miombo, Tawisa, Big Game, Tanzania Hunting,
Luke Samaras, just to mention a few.

Would you agree therefore that not all the apples in the basket are as rotten as you made out?