The UK government wants to tell Africans what to do with our wildlife — this is colonialism all over

[UngulateNerd92]

In this open letter to the UK Minister of State for Development and Africa, Andrew Mitchell, 109 representatives of community-run conservation areas in the four African countries which come together in the massive Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA) respond to the bill currently before the British Parliament to ban the import of hunting trophies to the UK.

OPEN LETTER: The UK government wants to tell Africans what to do with our wildlife — this is colonialism all over again

 

[Pleistohorse]

Nuts on the U.K.’s misguided do-gooders (they will be talked into banning displays of captive animals for entertainment…I.e. Zoos…next). Sustainable Hunting (even trophy Hunting) can be compatible with Conservation. Most obviously of big game species and the lands they require. There is room for debate in how the hunting is managed (excluding large predators from hunting concessions, over harvesting, fair chase, etc), but on balance it’s a moral judgement more than anything else. Humans are animals and they hunt….hopefully responsibly. I draw the line at uncontrolled and unsustainable harvest.

As always…I’m not a hunter.

 

[Pantheraman]

I have a great idea for these conservationists. They should use the time they spend to argue with animal rights activists on this issue to instead, come together and brainstorm ideas for alternatives. Plan B's if you will.

"But what alternatives are there!!?"

If humans were able to put others on the moon, conservationists can brainstorm ideas for trophy-hunting alternatives.

 

[Jurek7]

conservationists can brainstorm ideas for trophy-hunting alternatives.

Simpler is publicizing that animal rights groups are a fringe minority not supported by (and not supporting) majority of conservationists and animal lovers. In recent years, they seem to hunt gullible people far removed from the matter, e.g. parliament in Britain is supposedly a good place to discuss wildlife in Africa.

Politicians or journalists should not to give support to such groups, because it will not give them prominence or public support.

 

[lintworm]

In this open letter to the UK Minister of State for Development and Africa, Andrew Mitchell, 109 representatives of community-run conservation areas in the four African countries which come together in the massive Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA) respond to the bill currently before the British Parliament to ban the import of hunting trophies to the UK.

OPEN LETTER: The UK government wants to tell Africans what to do with our wildlife — this is colonialism all over again

Regardless of the merit of hunting for conservation framing this bill as colonialism all over again is really silly. That choices made in one country can have consequences is something completely different. It has nothing to do with colonialism, with this argument import regulations on fruit are also colonialism....

 

[UngulateNerd92]

Regardless of the merit of hunting for conservation framing this bill as colonialism all over again is really silly. That choices made in one country can have consequences is something completely different. It has nothing to do with colonialism, with this argument import regulations on fruit are also colonialism....

These are definitely fair points.

 

[Pantheraman]

Simpler is publicizing that animal rights groups are a fringe minority not supported by (and not supporting) majority of conservationists and animal lovers. In recent years, they seem to hunt gullible people far removed from the matter, e.g. parliament in Britain is supposedly a good place to discuss wildlife in Africa.

Politicians or journalists should not to give support to such groups, because it will not give them prominence or public support.

I'm just saying in case this gets worse, it's a good idea to have a backup plan. Never a bad idea to plan ahead.

 

[Pantheraman]

Regardless of the merit of hunting for conservation framing this bill as colonialism all over again is really silly. That choices made in one country can have consequences is something completely different. It has nothing to do with colonialism, with this argument import regulations on fruit are also colonialism....

I've noticed this too in the debate. Both sides go out of their way to make the other look as evil as they possibly can. I've even read comments saying that being against the practice is racist. This, along with the lack of information is why I've mostly steered away from this debate for the most part.

 

[ifesbob]

It's the conflict between histories between countries, the need to make money, and the need to do right by the environment.

 

[JVM]

I think bringing colonialism into the matter is unwise -- it is starting to feel like a buzzword. The legacy of colonialism covers some horrific things including slavery and genocide; restricting importation of trophies, which serve no functional purpose deserves no place in history next to atrocities.

You would think those in favor of hunting trophies would be the ones associated with colonialism; certainly it has been argued taking specimens for scientific purposes is an exploitation of natural resources. I don't see why taking one for your mantle is different. I would point out the merits of conservation hunting should not be synonymous with trophy hunting!

 

[Dassie rat]

I don't like the idea of people hunting for trophies. If the money from hunting is used to preserve natural habitats, it may be the lesser of two habitats. I worry that some natural habitats may be lost if they are not cost-effective.

A guide pointed out an area of rainforest that had been cut down in Madagascar. He said that the loggers had paid him more money than he got for preserving the forest. In lands where many people are very poor, I can understand why some people want money from hunters.