“Poaching rates across Africa have decreased by more than 50% since the peak in 2015, but they remain high, at equivalent levels seen at the start of the crisis. Poached horns from South Africa continue to be a key source for the illicit supply chain. Investigations indicate the main consumer market is China where rhino horn is …
To skin a cat: how organised crime capitalises and exploits captive tiger facilities
“Although the international trade in tigers has been prohibited since 1975 when they were classified as an Appendix I species under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), tigers continue to be bred in legal and illegal captive facilities – otherwise known as tiger farms. In …
Hunting Trophies (Import Prohibition) Bill – United Kingdom
The Hunting Trophies (Import Prohibition) Bill, sponsored by Henry Smith MP [draft bill published 23 November 2022] was read in the United Kingdom House of Commons on 25 November 2022 [Parliament Live TV achieve (10:49 onwards) link and/or the transcript]. [Update] The bill passed Committee stage 25 January 2023, the Report Stage/3rd …
Consultation on Conservation and Sustainable Use – South Africa
Banner Image: Courtesy of Michelle Riley HSUS The Minster (Barbara Creecy), the Republic of South Africa, Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment (DFFE) has released, for public consultation, a Draft White Paper on Conservation and Sustainable Use of South Africa’s Biodiversity: Government Notice 2252 of 2022 “South Africa’s Biodiversity 2022: …
Joint NGO Position on Trophy Hunting
Joint NGO Position on Trophy Hunting, Organised by Pro Wildlife, July 2022
Cecil – 7 Year Anniversary
Banner image courtesy of “Trophy Hunting & Britain: A Case for a Ban,” June 2022 Below, is the full testimony (pages 133 – 137) of an anonymous source, a former member of the Oxford University Wildlife Conservation Research Unit (WildCRU) team that radio-collared and studied Cecil prior to him being killed. …
Value of trophy hunting to conservation massively overstated: report
Banner image: Leopard taxidermy at the annual Safari Club International Convention in 2020. (Photo: HSUS) Article by Don Pinnock originally in the Daily Maverick, 22 March 2022 A myth-busting exercise on hunting questions the claim that bagging wildlife trophies is sustainable. When you strip trophy hunting to its essentials, it’s about …
UK Ivory Act – Enactment due 6 June 2022
“Dealing in items containing ivory or made of ivory,” Gov.UK, 16 March 2022 “From 6 June [2022], you will not be able to deal in items containing or made of elephant ivory under the Ivory Act 2018 unless they are registered as exempt or certified as exempt. References to ivory …
Challenge to leopard hunting quota proof that the DFFE should change its spots
Article by Don Pinnock originally in the Daily Maverick, 16 March 2022 As numbers decline and persecution continues, South Africa has issued a quota for the trophy hunting of 10 leopards. But it may be illegal and is being challenged in the high court. It’s tough to be a leopard …
UK Voters Overwhelmingly Support a Hunting Trophy Import Ban
Rumours circulate that the UK Government is considering abandoning the Animals Abroad Bill altogether – after recently announcing “Government set to ditch promised animal welfare ban on fur imports and foie gras” (19 February 2022). The proposed legislation to end hunting trophy imports, which was to be contained within the Animals …