Desert Lion Conservation Project Reacts to "Unfair and Uninformed Criticism"



~ Willie Olivier

The Desert Lion Conservation project has stated categorically that the information presented on its website is not aimed at subjectively discrediting the trophy hunting industry.

Desert Lion Conservation made the statement in light of what it calls “unfair and uninformed criticism” – following reports of the recent shootings of male lions in the Kunene Region on its website.

The project says its, “… website aims to present only factual information and a concerted effort is made to remain objective and refrain from value judgments and opinions. Hunting is an important part of wildlife conservation in Namibia and Desert Lion Conservation has a track-record of contributing towards sustainable hunting structures.”

In the statement, Desert Lion Conservation, however, warns that the recent shooting of three male lions and its report on male-based mortality , “… reveal negative impacts of trophy hunting on the long-term conservation and sustainable utilisation of the desert lion population.”

The statement points out that, “The current situation of unsustainable hunting of adult male lions and the correspondingly negative impact on the non-consumptive tourism industry in Namibia is a serious problem.

Desert Lion Conservation says data retrieved from the GPS collar of lion Xpl-20 (affectionately also known as ‘Old Boy’) show that the animal was shot on 5 or 6 October this year, but that, “Hobatere Lodge and the Desert Lion Project was first informed of the "possible" shooting of Xpl-20 by a third and independent party on 1 Nov 2010.”