Kill One to Save Them All

Summary

Regulated trophy hunting is presented as a controversial yet effective method for funding wildlife conservation efforts, particularly for the black rhino in Namibia.

Abstract

The article discusses the complex role of trophy hunting in wildlife conservation, using the example of a black rhino hunted on May 18, 2015, in Namibia. Despite the common perception of hunting as detrimental to species survival, the practice, when regulated, can generate significant funds for conservation programs. The death of this particular rhino, part of a conservation initiative, resulted in a $350,000 contribution from hunter Corey Knowlton, which was allocated to enhancing Namibian wildlife conservation. The funds are utilized for anti-poaching measures, ranger salaries, and facility improvements, combating the primary threat of illegal poaching for the black market. The article argues that trophy hunting incentivizes local landowners and villagers to protect wildlife by demonstrating the economic value of preserving animals that might otherwise be seen as pests. It also addresses the need for sustainable hunting practices that consider species biology and the potential impact on population dynamics, such as the artificial selection of traits like horn size. The piece concludes by emphasizing the importance of ethical trophy hunting practices and the potential for certification to distinguish responsible companies, suggesting that a well-regulated system can support conservation while also questioning the moral implications of assigning a monetary value to wildlife.

Opinions

Corey Knowlton, a professional hunter, values the survival of black rhinos financially, physically, and emotionally, and believes that trophy hunting contributes to their conservation.
The article suggests that trophy hunting can be a tool for motivating landowners to protect wildlife against illegal poachers by demonstrating the animals' economic value.
Local villagers may view large wildlife as pests that threaten their livelihoods, but trophy hunting presents these animals as valuable assets.
There is a concern that trophy hunting may lead to artificial selection, favoring certain traits over others, which could negatively affect the species' long-term survival.
Hunters are seen as potential conservationists, as they have a vested interest in preserving wildlife to ensure they have animals to hunt.
The article proposes that selecting old, dangerous, and non-re

Kill One to Save Them All

It was on the 18th of May 2015, a Monday. He was peacefully walking in the savanna. He heard a threatening noise. He charged. Suddenly gun sounds exploded in the air. He layed down on the dry grass of Namibia and closed his eyes for the last time. He was one of the last, one out of the 5000 last wild black rhinos in the world.

This black rhino was part of a conservation program. His death raised funds to conserve the species.

Hunting is often seen as a not sustainable practice causing species to disappear. However a regulated hunting activity can improve the success of an animal conservation program. Thanks to trophy hunting, 12 countries in Central and South Africa raise about 200 millions dollars each year for conservation purposes. Corey Knowlton, a professional hunter paid 350 000$ to be allowed to hunt this rhino. This money was spent to improve the conservation of the Namibian wildlife.

« How do you really value this animal survival on Earth ? To me, I know and I care. And I place an extreme value financially, physically, and emotionally on the survival of black rhinos. » — Corey Knowlton

The funds raised by this method are used to improve facilities, pay rangers and pursue illegal poachers. Poaching is one of the most important driver of animal death. Poachers kill elephant or rhino to sell their bones, tusks and horns on the black market where superstitious people buy them as traditional medicines or good luck charm.

Trophy Hunter with Hippo in Zambia — © Lord Mountbatten

Trophy hunting is a way to motivate land owners to protect the wildlife against illegal poachers. For the villagers living next to these huge animals, life can be difficult. Elephant and rhinos may destroy crops while predators such as lions may kill livestock or directly threaten human lives. From their point of view, these big animals have a negative value, they are pests. Villagers would rather kill them instead of conserving them.

Trophy hunters put a high price on these animals and show the animal’s potential value to landowners. When locals know it is possible to have an income and make a living out of wildlife, they are motivated to welcome big wild animals on their land. They don’t cultivate it or use it for other purposes. Agriculture is the main land-use competing with conservation areas and each year it reduces the available land for wildlife. Fewer and fewer space is spared for Nature.

Hunting trophy program have to consider the biology of the hunted species. For example hunting male lions may be an issue as the new dominant male arriving in the harem usually kill all his predecessor’s offspring. It decreases the lion population growth rate and threatens its survival on the long term.

Trophy hunters usually look for challenges and souvenirs such as big animals with impressive horns. Unfortunately, this artificial selection have an impact on the population dynamic of the hunted species, small body-sized animals with small horns are ignored by trophy hunters and survive while others are killed. These features appreciated by hunters are often linked to survival, for example big horns are a good defense against predators. Indeed, the hunter choices may decrease the long term chance of species survival.

Hunter are willing to conserve wildlife. Most of them feel attached to Nature and the animals they hunt. They’d rather pay a premium fee to hunt sustainably instead of blindly kill endangered animals. Hunters have a high motivation to conserve wildlife, what would they hunt if it disappears ? In Namibia, the hunted animals are studied and selected among the old, dangerous and non reproductive individuals. Trophy hunters are actually preserving the species by killing individual who are a possible threat. It would be a great idea to create a certification and sort out the good trophy hunting companies from the bad ones.

A well regulated trophy hunting implemented in a corrupt free country with a fair resource distribution is a good solution to improve conservation effort. However, we need to be careful about the message we are sending with such practices. Does wildlife have a price ? Can it be entitled to someone rich enough to afford it ?

Finally, finding the good message to convince people to conserve wildlife is the hardest part…