Article at News.com.au (News Limited)

http://www.news.com.au/nationa...0076f7e6d84977acba91

Don't ban trophy hunting: researcher

January 8, 2016
By Georgie Moore AAP



The shooting of Cecil the lion in Africa last year caused global outrage, but banning trophy hunting would only hamper conservation efforts, an Adelaide researcher says.

"Understandably, many people oppose trophy hunting and believe it is contributing to the ongoing loss of species," University of Adelaide conservation ecologist Corey Bradshaw said.

"However, we contend that banning the $US217 million ($A310.16 million) a-year industry in Africa could end up being worse for species conservation."

Funds from trophy hunting should instead be invested back into conservation in poorer countries, a study by Professor Bradshaw, and English and Finnish researchers says.

But for this to work, the industry's money trail needs tougher regulations.

"There are many concerns about trophy hunting beyond the ethical that currently limit its effectiveness as a conservation tool," University of Cambridge Professor Nigel Leader-Williams said.

"One of the biggest problems is that the revenue it generates often goes to the private sector and rarely benefits protected-area management and the local communities."

The study also found that trophy hunting could actually have a lower carbon footprint than eco-tourism.

"It generates higher revenue from a lower number of uses," the University of Helsinki's Enrico Di Minin said.

TROPHY HUNTING GUIDELINES:

* Levies on safari operators to raise money for conservation

* A ban on sales of hunted animals to curb the illegal wildlife trade

* Confiscating trophies and revoking permits for illegal hunting practices

* Regular population viability analysis

* Backup professional shooters on hunts to strengthen animal welfare

Trying to find the research paper...

FWIW - Dr Corey Bradshaw is the guy (the main guy) whose research on Cobourg Peninsular lead to a complete turn-around of the conservation status of the banteng in Australia. Essentially they can no longer be dismissed as a pest species to be eradicated.

EDIT

Corey Bradshaw Bio -- http://www.adelaide.edu.au/dir....bradshaw#Biography/ Background
Trophy Hunting Paper -- http://www.cell.com/trends/eco...031%3Fshowall%3Dtrue

Hope that works...

The best description used in America, is if it pays, it stays.

Feral hogs in Texas are a pest and cause lots of damage, but there is no SERIOUS effort to completely exterminate them because a lot of folks are making good money off of them in various ways.

Any species that can bring in $$$$$ to the local economy deserves to be utilized. It is the poachers/illegal ivory-rhino horn trade that needs to be shut down.

The problem however is that too many people and not just Americans have lost touch with reality on too many levels.

Properly managed Trophy Hunting is not detrimental wildlife populations, regardless of the species.

quote:

Originally posted by Crazyhorseconsulting:
The best description used in America, is if it pays, it stays.

Feral hogs in Texas are a pest and cause lots of damage, but there is no SERIOUS effort to completely exterminate them because a lot of folks are making good money off of them in various ways.

Any species that can bring in $$$$$ to the local economy deserves to be utilized. It is the poachers/illegal ivory-rhino horn trade that needs to be shut down.

The problem however is that too many people and not just Americans have lost touch with reality on too many levels.

Properly managed Trophy Hunting is not detrimental wildlife populations, regardless of the species.

Unfortunately the "if it pays it stays" motto is being overlooked in the current furore.

Not sure what the Texas feral hogs have to do with all this? I mentioned 'pest' to show that one of the authors (Bradshaw) had already conducted serious research that benefited the safari hunting industry (not just through conservation itself).

OK - I have a PDF version of this paper, if anyone needs it just send me a PM with your email address.

I mentioned Feral Hogs, merely to point out, that if a species pays its way, there is less emphasis to eliminate it and more emphasis to manage it to continue the income to the region.

quote:

Originally posted by Matt Graham:

Unfortunately the "if it pays it stays" motto is being overlooked in the current furore.

Apparently you never read the response by Aaron & I to USF&W over the lion uplist.

quote:

Originally posted by ledvm:

quote:

Originally posted by Matt Graham:

Unfortunately the "if it pays it stays" motto is being overlooked in the current furore.

Apparently you never read the response by Aaron & I to USF&W over the lion uplist.

Quite obviously - I meant it is being overlooked by the US, Australian and some European governments and the anti's - in relation to this 'debate'.

It is these sort of qualified professionals that we need on our side.

That is why international trophy Hunters ( or quit the word trophy ) should establish a new organization that put emphasize on these matters. Booking an international hunt as member of this New organization should be transparent and lock some of the money to Parks, Conservation, Camp Fire, Programs etc etc.

All meat should be contracted to villagers, farmers or anyone living in that specific area.

Just my thoughts after reading Arjun's posting in an other thread !

Morten

Only one person wanted a copy of this international trophy hunting paper? I am baffled to say the least...

Matt,

sent you a PM.

Morten