The world lost its mind while we were out on safari
“Why is the western world up in arms because a Westerner illegally killed a lion when 100`s of lions are illegally killed by Africans with snares, poisons, spears, and the likes? Are Africans innocent because they are poor….are Americans guilty because they are rich in comparison?
And what do you think Africans feel when the western world is outraged because ONE lion is illegally killed by a paying hunter? Where were these same Westerners during the atrocities of genocide both in Rwanda and Zimbabwe, the famines, the abductions of school girls, the brutal, torturous and murderous farm attacks on farmers (some of whom I knew)?
Where were these smug, self-righteous, ignorant folk then? Why weren`t they blocking up Facebook and twitter with their outrage? And what do you think the starving Africans and the greater Zimbabwe population think about Cecil being shot? Not much I bet!” – Stewart Dorrington, PHASA Past President.
Since last you heard from us in mid July it seems the world has lost its mind over a Lion called Cecil. Storms have been brewing as I read the numerous media reports on various forums, either for or against hunting. While both sides have flung enough dung at one another to last a century, I beg to pose the same obvious question; “What does the people of Zimbabwe think of Cecil the Lion?”
I haven’t heard or seen much from them being published. In fact I was on safari in Zimbabwe during early July, when the hunt of Cecil supposedly took place, and I didn’t hear one murmur on the streets, in hotels, at airports or camps about Cecil. I can however tell you of what I saw and experienced firsthand, and let me warn you, the people of Zimbabwe need Walter Palmer, the American dentist, who hunted the now world-renowned lion, as much as they need a healthy and sustainable lion population in Zimbabwe.
The people are hungry – they are desperate, and to all those who claim that it’s simply not good enough in today’s world to go by the old motto of; “IF IT PAYS IT STAYS”, then I challenge you to try to educate or at least convince a hungry African sitting under a tree in a village in Zimbabwe, that the world has changed and that living by a survival instinct is no longer the “done” thing. In Zimbabwe, and for that matter, all over Africa – It will stay as long as it pays. Have no doubt of this fact.
While the hunting community will never support any illegal practices in our industry, it is imperative for the world to keep some perspective. The day the world forgets about his fellow-man and puts the plight of an animal before that of its own will be a sad day for mankind. By saying this it doesn’t mean we do not have an important responsibility at hand, we are the custodians of the land and wildlife, and it is up to us to ensure the survival, sustainability, and growth of our wildlife in Africa. Africa needs to be paid in order to ensure it stays. It’s not rocket science – its basic economics practiced by each and everyone on a daily basis. Like it or not – deal with it.
While the “arm chair” critic hid behind his computer screen, the hunters continued doing what they do best – SAVING WILDLIFE….
Instead of being an “arm chair” critic hiding behind a PC screen claiming to be a self-confessed wildlife savior from the comfort of a chair, the hunters have continued doing what we do best – saving wildlife.
Oh! How I hear the shouts of hypocrite from the opposition! But hang on for a minute before I’m once again strung and hung in public without a single word from my corner. Let’s get a couple of facts straight.
Since last you heard from us we’ve been hunting – yes – every single day since July 18th. We’ve hosted numerous hunters from around the world, all willing to pay a top dollar in support of our wildlife. Those finances earned have ensured sustainability and growth of our industry. An industry that ensures first and foremost it has a resource to invest in – our resource being our wildlife. Without our wildlife we won’t have what we offer today.
The spin-off from there runs into immediately dependent sectors, the closet being trackers, skinners, camp staff, professional hunters, agents, game ranchers, outfitters, taxidermist, airlines, hotels, and curio stores. The domino effect is a massive one, most certainly in South Africa, where a recent study by the University of the North West, has shown that hunters spend an average of R140 000 (+-USD $12000) per safari, compared to the R12000 (+-USD $ 1000) per photographic safari. The numbers don’t lie, and let’s face the facts; they’re pretty impressive when ones goal is to ensure sustainability. More than likely the reason why there’s more land set aside for wildlife in our country today than ever before, and there’s more game roaming the plains, hills, and mountains of SA than 100 years ago.
In saying this it takes real figures to support our industry, an industry dependent on those willing to back their dollar in what they believe to be the best way of supporting a conservation module which they feel comfortable with. And it is these hunters whom we commend for supporting our conservation success story. As importantly we’ve enjoyed a five-week period of numerous young hunters joining their parents on safari. These hunters not only put their dollars towards conservation today, but towards conservation tomorrow.
First up we hosted the Riley’s and Burlingame’s on a fun-filled mix-bag safari for both fur and feather.
Then it was time to welcome back old friends of John X Safaris. Robert Smith had first brought his son Tyler on safari some ten years ago, and this year returned with his youngest son, Jacob, and wife Kari.
Kari, Robert & Jake with Jake’s world-class Cape Eland.
Robert didn’t plan on doing much hunting on this particular safari, handing Jake the reins to lead us on a family adventure like no other. Professional Hunter, Carl van Zyl, had enjoyed the bond built up with Tyler all those years ago, and once again built up a brotherhood in hunting with Jake on this occasion. The hunts were challenging, with both PH and young hunter pushing hard to achieve a certain level of trophy quality. Each day started earlier than the previous, always striving to beat the best from the day before. From our epic Cape Eland up in the mountains, to the Kudu we beat at its own game of hide and seek, right to our last-minute Warthog – We were left with a bucket of memories and experiences that will last a lifetime… Well until Jake returns!
A special word of appreciation goes out to the Adams family for their “3 generation” hunt with John X Safaris. Paul Sr had first joined us on safari in 1998, and once again returned with the rest of the family during late July. It was a privilege hosting a hunt such as this, with both Dad and daughter, Lucendia, coming away with a number of great trophies.
Each and every one of these hunters must be congratulated for the manner in which they conducted themselves on these safaris. Watching the youth out in the field or around the lodge in the evenings was a privilege I’ve never gotten used to, and hope I never will.
With the likes of Cecil just about old news, we as hunters must realize there will be yet another media frenzy jumping on the next opportunity to sell a headline sooner rather than later. And it is with the experiences of the past five weeks that I beg to ask the question; “Is it not time for us to leave behind our differences and join forces for the greater of our wildlife?” While we will not always agree on what the right “answer” may be to ensuring our wildlife continues to exist and flourish for generations to come, should we not spend less of our energy trying to bring down one another instead of working towards the common goal we all strive to achieve? Can we not realize that there are many sectors to wildlife conservation, and that some areas for example are far too marginal for photographic operations to exist, and visa versa on hunting operations. Is it not wiser for the various groups to ensure that those who break the law are prosecuted, in a controlled and civilized manner, instead of going after an entire industry due to a couple of rotten apples?
Let’s face the facts, both anti’s and pro’s need one another, we have the same common goal in place, and compliments to both sides, both have proven their strategies can be extremely successful at times, but finding the right balance in economics, paired with mutual respect for one another’s views may just hold the key to ensuring our wildlife pays it way in order to stay.
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