quote:

SCI supports the hunting of endangered species, including the cheetah and the critically endangered black rhino.[16]

SCI went to court in support of hunting endangered antelope in high-fenced hunts.[17]

quote:

SCI supports the hunting of endangered species, including the cheetah and the critically endangered black rhino.[16]

SCI went to court in support of hunting endangered antelope in high-fenced hunts.[17] SCI contends that the revenues generated from hunting older specimens of endangered species, which are beyond breeding age, allows the funding of conservation projects such as habitat re-establishment and anti-poaching efforts. These efforts, funded by hunter's dollars, ultimately benefit the species. SCI often illustrates this by contrasting the management of elephant herds in Kenya with those of Botswana and Zimbabwe. Following the rapid decline of elephant populations over 1.3 million in 1979 to less than 600,000 in 1989 due to rampant poaching, the Kenyan government bowed to pressure from anti-hunting groups and banned the hunting of elephant. Continued poaching in Kenya has driven the population from 150,000 at the time of the ban to 6,000 today. Botswana and Zimbabwe elected to allow the sport hunting of elephants. Money brought to local economies by hunters seeking trophy elephants increased the economic value of the animals to local populations. Meat from hunted elephants also was used to feed impoverished villages. Revenue generated from trophy fees by the government was used to establish anti-poaching operations. Since the implementation of a trophy hunting program in Botswana, the elephant population there has quadrupled. SCI also points out that Zimbabwe implemented a similar strategy in 1980. Subsequently their elephant population has increased from 40,000 to 88,000. [18]