Thread: Cecil the Lion

I have not read all the posts but I must say that sport hunting is the only hope for survival of these animals. I hope lions exist for another thousands of years but they will not unless they can pay their way. The average villager In Africa considers them demons, as would you, and would be happy with thier eradication.

Originally Posted by Kmcmichael

I have not read all the posts but I must say that sport hunting is the only hope for survival of these animals. I hope lions exist for another thousands of years but they will not unless they can pay their way. The average villager In Africa considers them demons, as would you, and would be happy with thier eradication.

So more people going to Africa to try to shoot lions is going to make them safer?

Great article. We hear half the story here in the west most of the time. The folks that live it everyday over there would tell a different story for sure.

Originally Posted by edhewitt

So more people going to Africa to try to shoot lions is going to make them safer?

Far more people go to Africa to see the wildlife live in their natural habitat than go there to trophy hunt. My bet is that they make far more money on the tourists than the hunters. Tourism is a renewable resource while hunting is a one shot deal, pun intended. You can't have multiple people kill the same animal over and over again.

There is a place for a well regulated controlled hunt of different species as culling is sometimes necessary so why not make some money on that instead of letting the government game wardens do it. Unfortunately things are not well regulated and controlled over there.

Zimbabwe really has the flavor of the wild west where it can be pretty wide open for the right money, at least that is the impression I got.

Bob

Originally Posted by BobH

Far more people go to Africa to see the wildlife live in their natural habitat than go there to trophy hunt. My bet is that they make far more money on the tourists than the hunters. Tourism is a renewable resource while hunting is a one shot deal, pun intended. You can't have multiple people kill the same animal over and over again.

There is a place for a well regulated controlled hunt of different species as culling is sometimes necessary so why not make some money on that instead of letting the government game wardens do it. Unfortunately things are not well regulated and controlled over there.

Zimbabwe really has the flavor of the wild west where it can be pretty wide open for the right money, at least that is the impression I got.

Bob

interesting thought, but at $50,000 per lion, im not sure how it would compare to tourism.

Safer? These animals are not a stagnant entity. They are a population that needs land to exist. One cannot dismiss the other factors. There is always a demand for land for farming. If hunting is illegal, poaching soars. Photo safaris do not bring in the money that hunting does. They have been a renewable resource for many years. I understand that many have an aversion to hunting, I do not hunt big game. But it is folly to put a specie at risk because of an aversion to using animals to generate revenue.

There's a very simple solution to all this. Make a show 'the Hunter Games' where hunters get to test their skills against animals. Of course, to make it well matched and thus interesting and profitable, they can't use guns - they'll be dropped on the hunting field with only the clothes on their backs, and be radio-collared for tracking purposes.

Then broadcast the fights to a paying audience and organize betting markets.

Now that is something that can bring real money.

It seems odd to me that the whole trophy hunting market even exists. I have hunted and fished my whole life but for food. I can't see the attraction to a giant set of antler because that is not the important part. I see food in my scope not decorations. It would make way more sense to me if the villagers ate the lions. I think Ivan has a point. Some crazy reality tv show could save all of the parks. What is even stranger but they could likely have people pay to compete.

Originally Posted by RezDog

. It would make way more sense to me if the villagers ate the lions.

They do in most cases and all the other animals taken really depends on the hunt and the traditions..

Originally Posted by prodigy

interesting thought, but at $50,000 per lion, im not sure how it would compare to tourism.

Yes, you get that cash only once for a very expensive 14 to 21 day safari hunt. OTH that same animal will continue to bring tourist money in for it's lifetime as well as all for breeding of the species. I think that would generate at least the same amount of money over time as a short hunt does once. You can also employ a greater number of people in a tourist setting.

Hunting does have a function in controlling the numbers of game to a sustainable level. That means animals may need to be culled so why not let that function be done by hunters willing to spend the big bucks. You can do both.

There is value in both if done correctly.

Bob