Trophy Hunting is when people pay to hunt and kill wild animals for enjoyment. These hunters are usually rich, and often foreign. They then keep a part of the animal to display as a ‘trophy’ in ‘game rooms’. Heads and horns are commonly used, as they are impressive to see and demonstrate the killing of a dangerous animal. This practice is very common in Africa, due to the impressive and unique animals that live there. As a large number of these animals are endangered species, many people disagree with the ethics of trophy hunting.

CECIL THE LION

Cecil was a Southern African Lion. This is a protected Southern subspecies, meaning a type of lion with special or local features different from other lions. He was illegally shot and killed in 2015 by a wealthy American hunting tourist. This caused outcries from all over the world, and became famous in Africa and beyond.

This was not only because this type of lion is protected, but because Cecil was a star attraction at Hwange National Park. He was a valuable male lion with a pride of over 22 members. Also, Cecil was precious as he was being studied by Oxford University scientists for zoological research. This is the study of wild animals. Sadly, of the 62 lions being studied, 24 have died due to trophy hunting.

One of these was Cecil. He was shot with an arrow which badly wounded him. He then was left in agony for 11 hours before he was shot a second time. The prolonged pain and torture is horrible to imagine for such a majestic creature. After he died, he was stood on by his killers in ‘victory’ photographs. He was then skinned for his coat and beheaded. These parts of his body were meant as ‘trophies’, and the rest was left in the dirt.

Unfortunately, this happens to many lions. Between 2005 and 2014, ‘trophies’ of 5,605 African lions were imported into America alone. This equals around 560 lions shot by Americans per year.

ARE THERE ADVANTAGES TO TROPHY HUNTING?

Some people argue that trophy hunting can be an incentive for conservation. Hunting requires a large amount of land for the animals to roam. However, trophy hunting has actually caused a decline in lion populations in Zimbabwe as well as Botswana, Namibia and Zambia.

Trophy Hunting could be seen as making money for the African economy due to rich clients. This is true to an extent, yet the amount is very small compared to money made by wildlife tourism. This is one of Africa’s biggest industries. This means that if these animals continue to be hunted, tourism numbers will reduce, as there will be fewer rare animals for tourists to see.

Some people say that trophy hunting provides the remains of the animal to local communities for food. However, some legal hunting and most illegal hunting does not do this. Cecil’s killing was illegal and his remains were found by park staff. There is no evidence of the hunters giving his meat to local communities, as with many similar cases. Even pro-hunting organisations admit that only 3% of money made from trophy hunting goes to local communities.

Trophy hunting requires a permit which is difficult to get. However without a permit, foreigners bribe local people as guides and helpers. While this helps the guide financially, it can involve them in dangerous illegal actions. Even in regards to legal hunting, it will help the man now, but lion populations will get smaller. Therefore his children may struggle because of reduced wildlife tourism and affected economy.

SHOULD AFRICAN ANIMALS AND CULTURE BE A TROPHY FOR THE RICH TO BUY?

Many Africans do not think that their culture and land should be a playground for rich foreigners. Animals like lions are important cultural icons. They represent the beauty and strength of African people. They are part of the landscape and tradition. Is it right for them to become ‘exotic’ rugs or decorations for rich foreigners? Many think these animals deserve a chance at life. Should Africa permit the killing of these native animals for fun? The hunters often kill, because they see it as manly. Is it manly to kill for sport and hide in bushes to shoot endangered animals?

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