Minister halts trophy hunting quotas amid industry dispute
Foreign hunters are willing to pay as much as $350,000 to shoot a rhino.
Image: File
MINISTER of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Dion George said he won’t immediately approve trophy hunting quotas for black rhinos, elephants and leopards, deepening a dispute with an industry that generates R44 billion ($2.5 billion) in economic activity.
George said he will wait until a judge rules on a case filed by Wildlife Ranching South Africa demanding that the allocation be set. The organization has said a five-year hiatus in the setting of quotas is hurting Africa’s biggest hunting industry and harming its reputation with foreign hunters, who are willing to pay as much as $350,000 to shoot a rhino.
“Once a judgment has been delivered, the minister will consider the court’s ruling and decide on the way forward in line with South Africa’s conservation objectives,” read a statement from George’s office .
The hold on quotas clashes with the policy endorsed by George and his predecessor, Barbara Creecy, of pushing for more sustainable use of South Africa’s biodiversity and natural assets. Still, the hunting of iconic species, such as endangered rhinos, is facing a backlash from animal-rights activists.
The industry has lost as much as R2.25 billion as a result of the impasse, with the country ceding market share to regional competitors, Richard York, the chief executive officer of Wildlife Ranching South Africa, has said previously.
York wasn’t available to comment on the minister’s latest decision at the time of publishing.
The United Nations’ Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species has given South Africa the right to permit the hunting of as many as 150 elephants annually, 150 male leopards and up to 0.5% of the national black rhino population, or about 10 animals.
A permit to hunt an elephant costs between $75,000 and $100,000, while hunting a leopard costs as much as $40,000.