quote:

Originally posted by Michael Robinson:
Excerpt of an email that I sent today to an outfitter who works in Zim, and other places, asking for my opinion:

"This USF&WS import closure has no hope of solving the poaching problem. Only the governments of Zimbabwe and Tanzania can solve that problem, but I am afraid that they will not, because of the inflow of Chinese money and the corruption it fuels.

Sport hunting dollars are a drop in the bucket compared to the magnitude of Chinese funded bribery under the present regimes.

Unfortunately, USF&WS is doing the predictable thing, here. I am certain that it will be counterproductive. It will keep US hunters, and their money, out of Zimbabwe and Tanzania, and that can only hurt, not help, the cause. As we know, hunters in the field can operate as a check on poaching activity. And hunting money earned by outfitters and governments can be used to further combat the poachers. Cutting off the flow of that hunting money altogether can only hurt, not help.

My sense is that USF&WS have got it all wrong. Until we somehow manage to reign in the Chinese, on a geopolitical scale, the poaching problem will never be solved, and the elephant and rhino will be doomed. And reigning in the Chinese will not be easy."

This can only get worse.

You are 100% correct Michael. It will only make matters worse. All the development , employment and in general funds that I personally put back into my areas where there were no Elephant on licence before only PAC has made a huge difference to the region , the local villages have received 100% of the trophy fees and with this they have improved their schools, clinics, roads etc etc if even spread out it has been an improvement. Put no value on these Elephant and they will revert back to PAC?? Stand back. Now there will be wholesale slaughter of these Elephants and I hope US Fish and Wildlife will be happy when there are none left. These villages and RDC area's are not going to want these Elephant or rather they will not want to tolerate these Elephant if there is no revenue being generated from the hunting. Basically I have been able to reason with the villages when their crops are being destroyed to rather let me hunt them with a paying client and this way they still get the meat as well as a trophy fee and the problem is taken care of so it has been a win win scenario for the past couple of years. Lets face it without Elephants as a draw card to Zimbabwe no one wants to come hunt here for Wildebeest and Kudu ?? Maybe Leopard but the guys that hunt Elephant generally take some plains game on their hunt but now there will be a significant decline of Elephant hunters therefor there will be less plains game hunted in these remote areas and if that happens well kiss the plains game that's left goodby as well. This is just STUPID as far as I am concerned the ripple effect is going to be enormous. There is going to be unemployment in all the sectors be it hunting, taxidermy's lodges and more.Everyone will be affected from the fuel stations to the grocery shops where we spend allot preparing for every hunt...what will be the point to attend the Shows in the States? Why even bother advertising ?? If Americans are not going to be allowed to hunt Elephant in Zim we are going to have to find clients somewhere else like China or elsewhere where the US fish and Wildlife can not POLICE !!! Honestly what a balls up. This is the beginning of the end for Elephant for sure especially in Zim. I mean they harping on 300 poisoned Elephant , Yes it is bad but now it will be worse. In the past this country Culled 10 000 a year!! and we are over due for a cull!! go figure. Where I hunt Elephant there were none to mention so to speak 10 years ago, but with increased pressure ( over population ) in Hwange Park they have had to migrate and spread out hence I am hunting Elephant 80KM from Bulawayo City??? AAGHHH this is crazy...

quote:

Originally posted by NYAMAZANA SAFARIS:

quote:

Originally posted by Michael Robinson:
Excerpt of an email that I sent today to an outfitter who works in Zim, and other places, asking for my opinion:

"This USF&WS import closure has no hope of solving the poaching problem. Only the governments of Zimbabwe and Tanzania can solve that problem, but I am afraid that they will not, because of the inflow of Chinese money and the corruption it fuels.

Sport hunting dollars are a drop in the bucket compared to the magnitude of Chinese funded bribery under the present regimes.

Unfortunately, USF&WS is doing the predictable thing, here. I am certain that it will be counterproductive. It will keep US hunters, and their money, out of Zimbabwe and Tanzania, and that can only hurt, not help, the cause. As we know, hunters in the field can operate as a check on poaching activity. And hunting money earned by outfitters and governments can be used to further combat the poachers. Cutting off the flow of that hunting money altogether can only hurt, not help.

My sense is that USF&WS have got it all wrong. Until we somehow manage to reign in the Chinese, on a geopolitical scale, the poaching problem will never be solved, and the elephant and rhino will be doomed. And reigning in the Chinese will not be easy."

This can only get worse.

You are 100% correct Michael. It will only make matters worse. All the development , employment and in general funds that I personally put back into my areas where there were no Elephant on licence before only PAC has made a huge difference to the region , the local villages have received 100% of the trophy fees and with this they have improved their schools, clinics, roads etc etc if even spread out it has been an improvement. Put no value on these Elephant and they will revert back to PAC?? Stand back. Now there will be wholesale slaughter of these Elephants and I hope US Fish and Wildlife will be happy when there are none left. These villages and RDC area's are not going to want these Elephant or rather they will not want to tolerate these Elephant if there is no revenue being generated from the hunting. Basically I have been able to reason with the villages when their crops are being destroyed to rather let me hunt them with a paying client and this way they still get the meat as well as a trophy fee and the problem is taken care of so it has been a win win scenario for the past couple of years. Lets face it without Elephants as a draw card to Zimbabwe no one wants to come hunt here for Wildebeest and Kudu ?? Maybe Leopard but the guys that hunt Elephant generally take some plains game on their hunt but now there will be a significant decline of Elephant hunters therefor there will be less plains game hunted in these remote areas and if that happens well kiss the plains game that's left goodby as well. This is just STUPID as far as I am concerned the ripple effect is going to be enormous. There is going to be unemployment in all the sectors be it hunting, taxidermy's lodges and more.Everyone will be affected from the fuel stations to the grocery shops where we spend allot preparing for every hunt...what will be the point to attend the Shows in the States? Why even bother advertising ?? If Americans are not going to be allowed to hunt Elephant in Zim we are going to have to find clients somewhere else like China or elsewhere where the US fish and Wildlife can not POLICE !!! Honestly what a balls up. This is the beginning of the end for Elephant for sure especially in Zim. I mean they harping on 300 poisoned Elephant , Yes it is bad but now it will be worse. In the past this country Culled 10 000 a year!! and we are over due for a cull!! go figure. Where I hunt Elephant there were none to mention so to speak 10 years ago, but with increased pressure ( over population ) in Hwange Park they have had to migrate and spread out hence I am hunting Elephant 80KM from Bulawayo City??? AAGHHH this is crazy...

This is what USFW and the American press needs to hear. I think you, or the Zim PH Association would do well to write some sort of opinion piece on this. Logic and reason is on your side, and can win over emotion if presented well.

I wish you the best on dealing with this cluster.

I wish you blokes all the luck in the world with your opinion pieces and petitions etc but have to say that if John Jackson and Conservation force can't get the bastards at USF&WS to reverse the similar ban on Mozambican elephant products in umpteen years then I don't hold out much hope for these most recent bans to be overturned any time soon.

In the case of Mozambique & as I understand it, the US courts have repeatedly made court orders in favour of JJ/CF and USF&WS have repeatedly defied the courts. - And been allowed to do so.

Sorry for my typing skills as I am out of town and on I-pad.
I went to the fish & wildlife site and read their new ruling.
They site 300 elephants poisoning in the park as part of the reason.
I was there in Nov. and was told it was a PH flying over the park to take a client to the other side to hunt a leopard that found the elephants. THE PH FOUND THE DEAD ELEPHANTS. WHITHOUT THIS HUNTER IN THE AREA THE POISINING WOULD STILL BE GOING ON TODAY!!! This same hunter set up a sting with the game dept and caught the poachers!

Fish & Wildlife left this little detail out of their statement

Folks dont waste your time there is no logic in there decision from a conservation point of view.They just dont give a shit about hunting or conservation as wild animals are not in anyway part of there lives.

It's gone viral. Its on Facebook, on Elephants Without Borders (EWB).

Very sad to hear and see how ignorant people actually are. Unfortunately, they don't see further than their noses nor have they taken the time to understand the situation on the ground. My favourite, is that "Conservation" organisations , that quietly support hunters efforts or know what theydo, do not have the courage to tell the masses the truth. Otherwise the dollars slow and that hurts their pockets.. Someone said it earlier but it boils down to dollars whether in lobbying in Washington or scratching a living in the bush.

Good reading if you haven't already read these books arethey're available for electronically)

AT THE HAND OF MAN - Raymond Bonner
SAVE ME FROM THE LIONS MOUTH - James Clarke

Its been pointed out previously about the sheer ignorance. Perhaps a proper objective documentary or perhaps a series (different countries) on sustainable hunting to highlight and educate the masses on how it works, where its worked, why it works etc... ? That can be aired by NatGeo or the like. Let people decide for themselves?
I think Johan Calitz and Ivan Carter did a brilliant job in their SUNSET ON BOTSWANA DVD. The main point obviously being the science. Johan made another vital point, overall photographic does create more total turnover but it still does not equal or surpass the money that goes directly back to the people and into conservation that hunting does. Not to mention the presence that hunting creates in a hunting area as a deterrent. etc etc..

A documentary along similar lines with more emphasis on the people (rural communities) that have to share the land with wildlife. Show that the real impact of wildlife on the livelihoods of rural communities, show that if the wildlife doesn't benefit them or contribute to their livelihoods then they have no choice but to hunt and clear land for subsistence agriculture or livestock. At the end of the day they bare the costs of conservation and they're on the front line. Show what it is to be a villager out there.. Show where hunters dollars go etc etc..Show how most African Governments are not reinvesting revenue earned, that most of its is lost in unless administrative processes. Bring out the issue of LAW and Policy that it doesn't favour the wildlife or its "custodians" (rural communities)

It maybe something to think about...

Anyway hope some sense prevails.

Wowo

Next thing you know they will hold a concert to save the ele and all the famous singers will be shedding tears on stage as they sing there silly songs.

Einstein said that insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. When I hear things like the facts are on our side, we just need to lay the facts out in a more compelling way, the lawyers at SCI are hard at work, perhaps a well done documentary would sway opinion, etc., we are doing exactly what Einstein was referring to. The folks in Washington do not care about the merits, they care about muscle and money. Until we are able to demonstrate that we have muscle measured in numbers of engaged voters and/or money measured in dollars, we are kidding ourselves that we are going to reverse the tide that is moving against us.

I think it's a pretty safe bet that lions are next...and probably in pretty short order. I have to say, yet again, that guys who hunt (or plan to hunt) multiple elephant should really just plan on a small shack in Canada or a little house in Europe to house these things eventually as the US is not going to be a hospitable place in 20-30 years. Think about it this way, these locales are a good place to keep all sorts of trophies even currently not importable to the US (Walrus, Cheetah, Polar Bear, etc) and for some guys, a year's worth of hunting dollars will more than pay for such a place.

The Russians are going to get some screaming deals on elephant now...

quote:

Originally posted by jeff h:
The Russians are going to get some screaming deals on elephant now...

I happen to have residences overseas, once my 500 MDM gets finished I will be looking for deals myself. Will start investigating logistics (where to do the taxidermy, curing of hides, importing procedures etc.) forthwith.

Personally, I am going to go whether or not I can import the tusks.

I , unfortunately, cannot make the SCI event in Washington. I have a major conflict.

Gentlemen, on the issue of fighting USFWS in courts -yes it expensive and lenghty but it is a critical part of the NRA game plan and the anti-hunting and animal rights groups like the Center for Biological Diversity. Why do you think the polar bear got listed? - pressure and legal action by the likes of CBD. We need to take the fight to the legilsature, the courts and to the media. FYI that Change.Org received 150,000 signatures in support of the petition to list the African lion as endangered.

I just received the following from an outfitter in Zim:


Hi Larry,
Yes, it came as quite a surprise and something I would have thought they would give warning on. We are meeting with Parks on this and it seems Zimbabwe has a chance of getting the ban reversed if we comply with certain things. We are trying to find out exactly what the issues are but neither fish and wildlife nor parks are being very forthcoming on this at the moment.
Will keep you posted.

I am for whatever efforts that can be generated at this time to stave off this travesty. But I am afraid we are a day late and a dollar short. Make no mistake, Obama, his Administration and the Libtards, hate hunting, hate guns, hate Private ownership of guns and will do whatever necessary to accomplish getting rid of all these things. The Ele thing is only the tip of the iceberg. At this point all we can really do is ride this thing out and use our dollars and efforts to rid America of the people who have gained all the "evil" power in our Country. In other words, vote them out and try to replace them people who are more inclined to see things the way most of us here do. Trying to fight what Obama has put in place with Court injunctions, lawsuits and banging our heads against this wall is fruitless. Until we rid America of this Cancer that is currently engulfing us, not much can be accomplished.

Larry Sellers
SCI(International)Life Member
Sabatti 'trash' Double Shooter
R8 Blaser
DRSS

quote:

Originally posted by Larry Sellers:
I am for whatever efforts that can be generated at this time to stave off this travesty. But I am afraid we are a day late and a dollar short. Make no mistake, Obama, his Administration and the Libtards, hate hunting, hate guns, hate Private ownership of guns and will do whatever necessary to accomplish getting rid of all these things. The Ele thing is only the tip of the iceberg. At this point all we can really do is ride this thing out and use our dollars and efforts to rid America of the people who have gained all the "evil" power in our Country. In other words, vote them out and try to replace them people who are more inclined to see things the way most of us here do. Trying to fight what Obama has put in place with Court injunctions, lawsuits and banging our heads against this wall is fruitless. Until we rid America of this Cancer that is currently engulfing us, not much can be accomplished.

Larry Sellers
SCI(International)Life Member
Sabatti 'trash' Double Shooter
R8 Blaser
DRSS

Larry, the courts are not a futile battle ground. The NRA wins there and so do the anti-hunting groups. We cannot give up on legal action. If we do, by the time the political process works itself (if it works itself out) it will be too late.

quote:

Originally posted by RickCap:
Larry, the courts are not a futile battle ground. The NRA wins there and so do the anti-hunting groups. We cannot give up on legal action. If we do, by the time the political process works itself (if it works itself out) it will be too late.

Rick

I'm not suggesting you give up but don't rely on winning by going solely through the courts........ John Jackson has been fighting through the US courts for years....... and winning but the USF&WS just ignore the court orders and my guess is the only thing that'll make USF&WS comply is if a Judge orders the heads of the organisation to be jailed until such time as they do comply. And so far, none of them have had the balls to make such an order.

quote:

Originally posted by ledvm:

quote:

Originally posted by MJines:
Sort of hard to imagine that USF&W is not aware of the major safari shows in January and February. In fact, it is impossible to imagine. We are less than two months after SCI and not much more removed from DSC and they make this announcement. Why wouldn't they make this announcement prior to the shows? Has then been some development since then that necessitates action now versus then? What was the timing consideration that drove announcing now? A cynic would say that the timing of the announcement was designed to inflict the maximum amount of pain on US hunters. I swear, this administration cannot end soon enough.

Mike,
You my friend...are correct. It's ALL about politics. The lion too. We now have the most liberal, "greenest" Secretary of Interior (USF&W under Department of Interior) ever (Sally Jewel...Google her). She is under the most crooked president ever. He needs his base more than ever. His base is anti hunting. Jewel is an outright anti hunter.

The lion petition has always been about politics as well. That was the reason Aaron and I took the route we did to combat the petition...much to our chagrin.

As my friend Chris Hudson told me once when I was giving him my assessment on the lion situation: "DC is a political town and NOTHING happens there with out a political undertone."

Hunters, especially US hunters, need to be empowered right now...not slapped down. They are the key to ele survival and the same with the lion. But the base of the Democratic Party of the USA is anti-hunting. Obama needs his base.

But even more so than the above...the American Small Businessman needs to be once again set free. Free to make and KEEP his/her own money. Free to flourish. Free to spend his money hunting Africa.

For if you look at it realistically, all the negative turns in Africa hunting (and African wildlife in general) began with the decline in US economy. And...of course...the politics of Obama.

A female and a democrat running the outfit and working for a socialist. WTF do you guys think is going to happen? cats will be next...

I am told, in the last few minutes, that the NRA is going to get involved in this matter through the new NRA Hunters Leadership Forum.

The NRA has the political muscle to get something done.

FYI Just got that


Operators and Professional Hunters Associations of Southern Africa
November 6, 2013
The Honorable Sally Jewell
Secretary of the Interior
1849 C Street, NW
Washington, DC 20240
The Honorable John Kerry
Secretary of State
2201 C Street, NW
Washington, DC 20520
The Honorable Eric Holder
Attorney General 950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20530
Dear Presidential Task Force on Wildlife Trafficking Co-Chairmen:
We represent the international safari hunting industry of Africa that strives for the empowerment of the African people, their communities and organisations through participation in environmental education and capacity building. As stewards of African wildlife, we harness our skills, experience and knowledge of the African environment to ensure that all international efforts and obligations are undertaken in respect for Africa’s environmental policies and principals. It is in this capacity that we are writing regarding President Barack Obama’s July 1, 2013 Executive Order Combatting Wildlife Trafficking.
We beg you to take our important role in wildlife conservation into account as you consider recommendations from the Advisory Council on Wildlife Trafficking and in your recommendations as the Presidential Task Force on Wildlife Trafficking. In that role, we respectfully request the Advisory Council include a member from the African professional hunting industry, or the Safari Club International Foundation as our representative, to protect our indispensable benefits to the people and wildlife of Africa. We are very concerned that the current membership of the Advisory Council lacks an understanding of the role of the professional hunter in combatting poaching. The Foundation has long demonstrated competence in its knowledge of our industry and our positive impacts to wildlife conservation.
From a safari hunting point of view, it is the international trophy hunters who play a critical role in the protection of wildlife in Africa. These hunters, primarily American, bring the responsible and ethical hunting standards that result in environmental sustainability. This in turn contributes to job creation, food security, and a better quality of life for all Africans in rural areas and communities. In Africa, trophy hunting lessens the burden of poverty and uplifts human dignity. In addition, the millions of dollars that hunters spend to come to Africa
Hon. Sally Jewell
Hon. John Kerry
Hon. Eric Holder
November 6, 2013
Page Two
each year help finance our Wildlife Management Authorities, our National Parks, Game Management Areas, the Citizen Recourse Boards, the Chiefdoms, local communities and conservation efforts in our rapidly growing countries. As representatives of the safari hunting industry in Africa, we are encouraged that the President of the United States has taken this important step to bring international attention to the serious issues surrounding poaching. We acknowledge his offer of assistance to foreign nations experiencing trafficking of protected wildlife. Furthermore, we support the Executive Order’s recognition that the United States will continue to allow legal and legitimate trade of wildlife.
We would like to draw your attention to the importance of the international hunting fraternity not only for the survival of African rural communities, but also to the fact that hunters are the first line of defense when it comes to the poaching crisis in these areas. In Africa, we represent an industry that is key to the livelihoods of local communities which depend heavily on the income from safari hunting. It is because of this sustainable utilization of our wildlife that our wildlife has economic value. If, in Africa, wildlife has no value to the people there will neither be reason nor will to manage and grow wildlife populations.
For example, in Zambia, income from safari hunting is divided into the following support systems for the local communities: Community Resource Board - 45%, Chiefs (Patrons) - 05%, Zambian Wildlife Authority (ZAWA) - 40% and Central Treasury - 10%. Zambian hunting concession fees from safari operators are divided as follows: Local Communities (CRB’s) - 15%, Chiefs (Patrons) - 05% and ZAWA - 80%. Similar structures are in place in other countries where local Communities are expected to utilise these public funds for locally agreed upon socio-economic development projects such as schools, health centres and roads. Guidelines on the utilisation of community funds are in place. In addition, operators that have been awarded hunting concessions in Game Management Areas have made specific private pledges to develop their respective areas of operation for the benefit of local communities.
Without the international trophy hunter, these benefits would obviously disappear. However, it is the “boots on the ground” benefit of the trophy hunter that is most often overlooked. By having a consistent presence in the Game Management Units and in our concessions, and through collaboration with local wildlife management officials and local communities, we serve as the first line deterrent to poachers and the illegal take of wildlife. The hunting industry currently serves as the guardians, informants, and occasional enforcement against poachers.
Again, we applaud President Obama’s efforts and concerns about the illegal trafficking of protected wildlife. As an existing network of stewards and guardians of that
Hon. Sally Jewell
Hon. John Kerry
Hon. Eric Holder
November 6, 2013
Page Three
wildlife, we hope you will call upon us to play a significant role in the implementation of your President’s Executive Order.
Respectfully,
Operators and Professional Hunters Associations of Southern Africa
Professional Hunters’ Association of South Africa
Namibian Professional Hunting Association
Zimbabwe Professional Hunters and Guides Association
Safari Operators Association of Zimbabwe
Professional Hunters Association of Zambia
Safari Hunting Operators Association of Zambia
Botswana Wildlife Management Association
Tanzania Professional Hunters Association
Tanzania Hunting Operators Association
Association of Mozambican Safari Operators
cc: President Barack Obama
The Honorable Susan Rice
The Honorable Ben Rhodes
The Honorable Dan Ashe The Honorable Michelle D. Gavin The Honorable Douglas M. Griffiths The Honorable Wanda L. Nesbitt The Honorable Patrick Gaspard The Honorable Alfonso E. Lenhardt The Honorable Mark C. Storella The Honorable Charles A. Ray The Honorable Dr. Machivenyika Mapuranga
The Honorable Palan Mulonda
The Honorable Liberata Mulamula
The Honorable Ebrahim Rasool The Honorable Martin Andjaba The Honorable Amélia Matos Sumbana The Honorable Dr. Tebelelo Mazile Seretse
c/o Adri Kitshoff, Secretary
Operators and Professional Hunters Associations of Southern Africa
POB 10264
Centurion, South Africa
0046
+27 (12) 667 2048

November 6, 2013
The Honorable Sally Jewell
Secretary of the Interior
1849 C Street, NW
Washington, DC 20240
The Honorable John Kerry
Secretary of State
2201 C Street, NW
Washington, DC 20520
The Honorable Eric Holder
Attorney General 950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20530
RE: Executive Order to Combat Wildlife Trafficking
Dear Presidential Task Force on Wildlife Trafficking Co-Chairmen:
Distinguished professionals and government representatives from nine African countries gathered for the 12th African Wildlife Consultative Forum (AWCF) in Livingstone, Zambia on November 3-8, 2013. Representatives from these countries joined community based conservation NGOs, academic professionals and professional hunting organizations to discuss the future of African wildlife conservation. They strategized on the best ways to foster international cooperation and to ensure that the treasured game of Africa would be sustainably utilized for generations to come.
President Barack Obama’s July 1, 2013 Executive Order to Combat Wildlife Trafficking was on the AWCF agenda. We are pleased that the President of the United States has taken this important step to bring international attention to the serious issues surrounding poaching and to offer assistance to foreign nationals experiencing illegal trafficking of
Hon. Sally Jewell
Hon. John Kerry
Hon. Eric Holder
November 6, 2013
Page Two
protected wildlife. We support the Executive Order’s recognition that the United States will continue to allow legal and legitimate trade of wildlife.
Among the discussions around the benefits of the Executive Order, the AWCF recognizes the important role the Advisory Council on Wildlife Trafficking will play in making recommendations to the Presidential Task Force on Wildlife Trafficking. The AWCF believes that the Council would be enriched by the inclusion of a representative of the producer countries of the wildlife concerned. We respectfully request you reconsider appointing Safari Club International Foundation to fulfil the role of liaison between our countries and the Council. We fully supported this appointment during the Council’s nomination period.
In addition, we ask that you take the following recommendations into consideration in accordance with the functions outlined for the Task Force in the Executive Order to produce a national strategy for combatting wildlife trafficking:
Effective Support for Anti-Poaching Activities:
• The U.S. Task Force on Wildlife Trafficking must immediately designate a representative to coordinate with the Africans government agencies responsible for wildlife management and enforcement. These agencies already have anti-poaching strategies that are seeing success. Without direct coordination with African government agencies, U.S. policies will have little positive effect for their nation’s wildlife and rural communities.
• The U.S. Department of State should utilize security personnel stationed in U.S. embassies within each African range state to identify the needs of each country and continually serve as a liaison between each government.
• The Executive Order should be well aligned to such initiatives already in place; especially such as the African Elephant Action Plan (AEAP). This strategic plan, if well-resourced, will help capacitate elephant range states to adequately address priority objective 1 of the AEAP: reducing illegal killing and reducing illicit trade in elephant specimen. The international support and collaborative effort for the protection of wildlife resources in Africa is always a welcomed development. However, we wish to minimize duplicative/parallel structures of funding and implementation, which could divide attention or create uncoordinated efforts on ground.
• The U.S. government should work in collaboration with the range states who are already working on comprehensive conservation plans to combat poaching of elephant and
Hon. Sally Jewell
Hon. John Kerry
Hon. Eric Holder
November 6, 2013
Page Three
rhinoceros across their countries. The Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species (CITES) is actively engaged in this conservation program and the U.S. should be
• collaborative rather than create duplicative efforts that would have little international cooperation.
• The U.S. Government has successful law enforcement training programs which need to be expanded to include non-urban environments so that solutions can be implemented in the rural regions before animals are poached. Training to increase the effectiveness of an incentive based reward system for informant networks to combat poaching is critical.
Coordinating Regional Law Enforcement Efforts:
• While the African countries recognize the need for coordination with the U.S. government and the Task Force, we ask you to recognize existing coordination efforts in Africa.
Developing and Supporting Effective Legal Enforcement Mechanisms:
• We encourage the facilitation of legal trade while putting into place effective mechanisms to combat illegal trade.
• The U.S. government should recognize the economic value of sustainably utilized wildlife to the producer countries who rely on legitimate wildlife trade for their economies. To ignore this pivotal fact in the management of wildlife in Africa is to effectively undermine any opportunity for success in eliminating poaching.
Developing Strategies to Reduce Illicit Trade and Reduce Consumer Demand in Protected Species:
• If we are asked to reduce consumer demand via illegal (black market) venues, we must therefore in turn encourage legal and sustainable trade with minimal regulatory burdens in order to encourage legal trade. The sustainable use and international trade in wildlife encourages African countries to place an increasing value on wildlife and its presence throughout the wild.
• The economies of African countries consistently and significantly benefit from legal and sustainable international wildlife trade. U.S. policy should be developed so that African wildlife and Africa’s people can flourish through sustainable and common use.
Hon. Sally Jewell
Hon. John Kerry
Hon. Eric Holder
November 6, 2013
Page Four
In conclusion, we urge the implementation of the Executive Order to incorporate a formal plan for strong cooperation and collaboration with African countries to better leverage and allocate resources throughout the world on the poaching crisis.
Respectfully,
Joseph H. Hosmer, President
Safari Club International Foundation
On behalf of the 12th Annual African Wildlife Consultative Forum attended by representatives of the following countries:
Botswana
Ethiopia
Mozambique
Namibia
South Africa
Swaziland
Tanzania
Zambia
Zimbabwe
cc: President Barack Obama
The Honorable Susan Rice The Honorable Michelle D. Gavin The Honorable Douglas M. Griffiths The Honorable Wanda L. Nesbitt The Honorable Patrick Gaspard The Honorable Alfonso E. Lenhardt The Honorable Mark C. Storella The Honorable Charles A. Ray The Honorable Dr. Machivenyika Mapuranga
The Honorable Palan Mulonda
The Honorable Liberata Mulamula
The Honorable Ebrahim Rasool The Honorable Martin Andjaba The Honorable Amélia Matos Sumbana The Honorable Dr. Tebelelo Mazile Seretse

How you can help take action:

1. Please go to this link Contact your Congressional Representative and send a letter to your member of congress. It is important for hunters to get this issue highlighted with the folks that control the purse strings of federal agencies.

2. Come to Washington, D.C. on May 8th for a lobby day on Capitol Hill. Register at this link: Register for Lobby Day FWS's Deputy Director of Policy Steve Guertin will be at breakfast on May 8th where we will have a discussion on FWS's policies. If you are in Washington, you can help us in the fight.

quote:

Originally posted by larryshores:
I am told, in the last few minutes, that the NRA is going to get involved in this matter through the new NRA Hunters Leadership Forum.

The NRA has the political muscle to get something done.

That is the best news I have heard yet.

Jeff

quote:

Originally posted by larryshores:
I am told, in the last few minutes, that the NRA is going to get involved in this matter through the new NRA Hunters Leadership Forum.

The NRA has the political muscle to get something done.

That is great news. The NRA knows how to fight these fights using the modern technological tools so frequently used by our opponents.

Finally a little good news. Please tell us how to donate money to the NRA for this cause. life member already.

quote:

Originally posted by NelsonFreemanSCI:
How you can help take action:

1. Please go to this link Contact your Congressional Representative and send a letter to your member of congress. It is important for hunters to get this issue highlighted with the folks that control the purse strings of federal agencies.

2. Come to Washington, D.C. on May 8th for a lobby day on Capitol Hill. Register at this link: Register for Lobby Day FWS's Deputy Director of Policy Steve Guertin will be at breakfast on May 8th where we will have a discussion on FWS's policies. If you are in Washington, you can help us in the fight.

Nelson, is an email or e-alert going to be sent to every SCI member asking them to contact their Congressional delegation?

I think I will become a member of the NRA.

Great suggestion Mike!

quote:

Originally posted by shakari:

quote:

Originally posted by RickCap:
Larry, the courts are not a futile battle ground. The NRA wins there and so do the anti-hunting groups. We cannot give up on legal action. If we do, by the time the political process works itself (if it works itself out) it will be too late.

Rick

I'm not suggesting you give up but don't rely on winning by going solely through the courts........ John Jackson has been fighting through the US courts for years....... and winning but the USF&WS just ignore the court orders and my guess is the only thing that'll make USF&WS comply is if a Judge orders the heads of the organisation to be jailed until such time as they do comply. And so far, none of them have had the balls to make such an order.

Larry, no disagreement. We need to apply pressure in three areas - in the courts, in the legislature and in the media.

It galls me that if the USFWS wished to change the hunting regulations on lands it owns or take other such "significant federal action" it must adhere to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) regulations and prepare an Environmental Assessment or Environmental Impact Statement that must take into account economic impacts of the action. Yet this action will have drastically more environmental consequences (even if they are a continent removed) and jeopardize the economic well being of two entire sovereign nations - and it takes nothing more than the stroke of a pen!

I suppose NEPA doesn't apply due to definition - but it seems callous to inflict harm on thousands without so much as an objective assessment.

quote:

Cash will always be king.And sadly, these days, cash, fueling endemic corruption, is pouring into Africa from China.And poached ivory and rhino horn are pouring back into Asia.Until that changes, if ever, elephant and rhino are doomed.There is absolutely bloody NOTHING that USF&WS can do about it, either.Taking this kind of action is like blaming the fireman for the fire. Stupid Mike

I couldn't agree more M.R.

That ivory does not all stay in Asia. A significant amount is pouring into the good ol USA. Not surprising when you consider we can't even control our borders with regard to illegal invasion by people.

quote:

Originally posted by larryshores:
I am told, in the last few minutes, that the NRA is going to get involved in this matter through the new NRA Hunters Leadership Forum.

The NRA has the political muscle to get something done.

That is good to know. As I recall the NRA has something on the order of 5 million members so it has a great deal of political clout and resources. The NRA also understands the Washington DC game and knows its (our) adversaries. SCI just is not large enough let alone DSC to do much of anything.

Having said that, and as a life member of SCI, I am disappointed that the organization did not have any more clue that this was going to happen than a regular schmoe like me.

http://www.zimbabwesituation.c...-to-poaching-mzembi/



Community conservancies solution to poaching: Mzembi


Posted on April 7, 2014 by ZimSitRep_J

via Community conservancies solution to poaching: Mzembi | The Zimbabwean 06.04.14 by Sofia Mapuranga

The establishment of community conservancies is the best strategy in fighting wildlife poaching and ensuring that local people had access to their natural resources, says the tourism minister, Walter Mzembi

Mzembi said African countries should come up with strategies that preserved biodiversity and wildlife in the continent considering that the tourism sector is depended on it.
Addressing journalists and ambassadors of various African countries from the region in Harare today, Mzembi said unless African countries revived their national airliners and identified sustainable biodiversity conservation management strategies, the continent risked experiencing an ecological disaster which would see an extinction of wildlife such as elephants and rhinoceros.

Said Mzembi: ”We need unified and global systems to act on the haemorrhaging of Africa’s wildlife resources through new sophisticated illegal poaching tactics by experienced professionals.

“The poisoning of elephants at Hwange National Park using cyanide deserves condemnation of the highest order and the whole world should take action.”

He said addressing poaching from a technical level was not sustainable and called for the engagement of the countries where the poached products had a market.

“There is need to follow up on the markets .We should be following the products to where they are going and in this instance, the middle East and Asia are our primary targets because that is where the ivory and tusks are being sold,” he said.

Mzembi called on African governments to increase monitoring mechanisms towards preventing poaching, based on the current statistics of elephants killed annually.

He said: “Between 35, 000 to 40, 000 elephants are killed every year and the situation in many countries shows that many of the countries are on the brink of wildlife species extinction.

“Professional tactics are now used in poaching. In Sierra Leon, it was confirmed that in 2011, the entire elephant population was wiped out while in Cameroon, 500 elephants in Bouda N’Djida national park were wiped off between January and February 2012.”

Mzembi, who was elected as the chairperson of the United Nations World Tourism Authority Commission for Africa said the proposed theme for the global tourism agenda was “Tourism and biodiversity: Zero tolerance on Poaching in Africa by 2020”.

“The thematic global topic was chosen because of its intimacy with most African countries. The slogan aims to keep us together and this was inspired by the heinous acts of poaching in the region,” he said.

He cited the Zimbabwean example where the country had adopted a tactical response towards poaching, but said this approach had failed to contain the matter hence the need to come up with community wildlife conservancies.

“As long as the community feels that they are not part of wildlife conservation in their areas of residence, they will not be motivated to fight for the protection of the wildlife,” said Mzembi.

“The creation of local mechanisms that ensure that local people have access to their own wildlife resources has the potential to see the birth of a number of thriving community based enterprises. It will motivate the communities to fight tooth and nail to protect their wildlife.”

He said when managed correctly and given the right support, the conservancies would provide infrastructure and personnel for community oriented anti poaching operations whose interventions collapsed due to the underfunding of the Communal Areas Management Program For Indigenous Resources in Zimbabwe.

“The communities have the potential to perform the duties of the community law enforcement agents and protect the wildlife efficiently.”

In Zimbabwe, more than 300 elephants and other animals were last year poisoned by poachers in Hwange national park.

Zimbabwe boosts of one of Africa’s biggest elephant herd estimated at more than 120, 000 elephants.

The international trade in ivory, with rare exceptions, has been outlawed since 1989 after the population of African elephants dropped.

According to the Elephant Action League, elephants in North Africa were at 27 million at the beginning of the 21st century, and the figure depleted to between 400 to 500, 000 by 1998.

Wildlife experts estimate that the illegal international ivory trade is worth up to $10 billion annually.

I did not perceive the implications of the "ivory ban" enacted in February (2014). Obviously these two actions are closely linked.

USF&W Ivory Ban Q&A
http://www.fws.gov/internation...s-and-answers.html#3

Note the following:

quote:

Why do you allow the import of elephant sport-hunted trophies at all? What about other species?

The AECA, ESA and CITES allow the noncommercial import of sport-hunted trophies as long as certain conditions are met. We believe that well-regulated and managed sport hunting can contribute to conservation by putting much needed revenue back into protected area management, anti-poaching and other important conservation activities. We will propose to restrict elephant trophy imports to two elephants per hunter per year. In addition, we will continue to closely monitor sport-hunting of elephants and other species to ensure that it does not threaten wild populations; where necessary, we will increase restrictions or prohibit imports from at-risk populations altogether.

In hindsight, the handwriting was on the wall.

NRA Info: http://www.nraila.org/news-iss...-ban-fact-sheet.aspx

There are a number of industries impacted by this...

quote:

Originally posted by larryshores:
I am told, in the last few minutes, that the NRA is going to get involved in this matter through the new NRA Hunters Leadership Forum.

The NRA has the political muscle to get something done.

Super --

as a Life member I will do all I can to push the NRA into helping----

" If we don't hang together, by heavens, we shall hang separately"

Ben Franklin

Mike and others:

You are right. The solution is to vote AGAINST anything with a (D) behind their name. And then vote against anyone with an (R) behind their name if they don't support our issues.

I've got an elephant in Tanz now and am booked in 2015. Trust me, any politician who doesn't agree with me on this issue will see a contribution to his or her opponent to the extent I'm financially able.

I am one of the guys stuck in the middle. Had a bull in the salt when the announcement came out. Got to Bulawayo yesterday and made arrangements with taxidermist pending the outcome of events. To say I am torqued with my government is an understatement. Backdating laws is a sign of pathetic leadership.

I am going on another hunt starting today. Wonder if I shoot an impala tomorrow if I will be able to import it.

All the best to the elephant hunting community and the elephants in Zim. They are going to need it.

quote:

Originally posted by AilsaWheels:
.....
Backdating laws is a sign of pathetic leadership

.....

Amen!

http://allafrica.com/stories/201404080264.html



Tanzania to Launch New Anti-Poaching Operation
7 APRIL 2014




Dar es Salaam — The launch of the second national anti-poaching operation is in the pipeline during the next few weeks after some 26 elephants were killed and their tusks taken by poachers in two game reserves last week.

These hardcore suspects are said to be using sub-machine guns. Addressing reporters in Arusha soon after getting the news of the killing of the elephants and the capturing of the poachers, the furious Minister for Natural Resources and Tourims, Lazaro Nyalandu said "We shall soon launch the second phase of the 'National anti-poaching machinery,' (Operation Tokomeza Majangili - II) in line with the country's war against illegal wildlife hunting and ivory trading."

Tanzania has joined the global war on ivory trading. The initiative involves China, which is a lucrative outlet for the smuggled tusks, the United Nations and the International Police (INTERPOL).

In the killing incident of the 26 elephants last week, in Manyoni district Singida region, six people suspected to be poachers were arrested at Kiyombo Village of Manyoni District, Singida Region in connection with a consignment of 55 elephant tusks weighing 170 kilogrammes.

The Minister stressed further that despite the enormous challenges the government was against poaching, it will ensure that all killers are hunted down and apprehend with their allies everywhere.

In the late 1980s, Tanzania, home to Africa's second-largest elephant population, led the war on poaching and championed the international ban on ivory trading that was adopted in 1989.

Today, it is the epicentre of the poaching epidemic sweeping through the continent's forests and savannas.

A third of all the illegal ivory seized in Asia comes from or through Tanzania. The country is losing 30 elephants a day, or nearly 11,000 a year. Nearly half the country's elephants have been shot, speared or poisoned since 2007, leaving scarcely 60,000 in total.

At the London Conference on Illegal Trade, President Jakaya Kikwete appealed to the international community to impose a total ban on trade of ivory and rhino horns to protect the wildlife from extinction.

Describing the London conference as a historic opportunity to take a landmark decision to save elephants and rhinos, Kikwete said he was optimistic the international community would pronounce itself on supporting developing nations in the war against poaching and illegal wildlife trade.

Tanzania has in the past unsuccessfully tried to seek permission from the Convention on International Trade on Endangered Species and Fauna (CITES) to sell off the stockpile but lately dropped the plans as a measure to ensure trade in ivory and rhino horns is totally banned to protect wildlife.

Kikwete told the conference that Tanzania will put itself in an awkward position in the international community if it insisted on selling the ivory while at the same time it has been appealing for total ban on the trade.

Sources within the government have, however, hinted that it was mostly likely that the stockpile would be destroyed since preserving it was costly.

Many countries including China and United States have in the past destroyed impounded stockpile and Tanzania is mostly likely to do the same