Hunting hurts South Africa

A NEW animal welfare report suggests that a majority of Australian travellers would be “put off” booking a holiday to South Africa if the country persisted in its support for the trophy hunting industry.

Research conducted by World Animal Protection polled close to 11,000 people, including a large portion from Australia, finding that 71% of Aussies would reconsider travelling to South Africa if trophy hunting continued to be “a key pillar of policy”, while 84% of Australians also indicated they would like to see the South African Government divert money from hunting towards wildlife-friendly tourism options.

And the mood against trophy hunting is similar among local citizens, with the survey also finding that seven in 10 South Africans agree their country would be a more attractive tourist destination if the government were to ban the sport entirely, while an even higher number (74%) view the controversial practice as damaging the country’s travel reputation.

The results follow South Africa opening up consultation on its draft Conservation and Sustainable Use of South Africa’s Biodiversity white paper, which seeks to foster better ways for humans to live side-by-side with nature, however, according to World Animal Protection Global Head of Campaigns, Nick Stewart, the paper fails to clarify a commitment to end unethical wildlife practices such as trophy hunting and captive lion breeding.

“It’s not too late for them to grasp the opportunity to make a clear stand, by fully embracing non-lethal wildlife-friendly alternatives, including responsible wildlife tourism, which is clearly what international tourists and local people are seeking,” he said.