“The Endangered Wildlife Trust's (EWT) position Statement on Trophy Hunting is to conserve threatened species and ecosystems in Southern Africa, and the sustainable use of wildlife to the benefit of all people. This includes trophy hunting, provided it meets certain conditions. It can be defined as the practice of selectively hunting wildlife based on the size of an individual or its physical attributes, such as horn size. By definition, trophy hunting rewards the hunter primarily with a physical trophy or photographs, and the experience of the hunt.

Trophy hunting must, first and foremost, result in clear and measurable positive benefits for the conservation of biodiversity. In addition we strongly believe that trophy hunting operators should make a meaningful contribution to society, particularly amongst local communities in the vicinity of hunting areas.”

Benefits:
So, how does Trophy Hunting contribute to the conservation and sustainable utilisation of South Africa's wildlife?:
01. Food security: As hunts are by definition for trophy purposes, this leaves the meat available for local consumption.
02. Job creation: The hunting industry creates jobs for local community members, for instance as trackers, Skinners and through infrastructure development and maintenance. It also provides an opportunity for the up-skilling of employees.
03. Community development: Proceeds from trophy hunting can be fed back into community development through the provision of amenities like schools and clinics. Hunting changes attitudes of local communities and gives value to wildlife, providing incentives against poaching and mitigating human-wildlife conflict.
04. Potential direct benefit to the local communities. By providing jobs and income to local communities, hunting conveys a positive value to wildlife, which incentives communities to protect game species and the land they – and all wildlife species – depend upon.
05. Monies in from hunters also are ploughed back into conservation of different species, some of which are under pressure because of habitat loss and the development of rural areas and development of metropolitan areas.
06. Compared with ecotourists, the average trophy hunter is willing to travel further, put up with more basic accommodation, and is less demanding with regards to the level of biodiversity needed for game viewing (as long as the desired species for hunting are present).
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