Trophy hunting

Trophy hunting, where hunters hunt animals for their body parts, devalues and exploits wild animals for profit and entertainment, making them mere commodities. This controversial practice has sparked intense debates, and we stand firmly against it.

Researchers and policymakers argue that banning trophy hunting may have unintended consequences, such as harming species conservation and local community livelihoods. However, there are alternative and more ethical ways to support both conservation efforts and communities without relying on the exploitation of wildlife.

Join us in advocating for a world where wild animals are valued for their intrinsic worth, not their trophy value.

Replacing revenue from trophy hunting

Our research team has explored the possibility of replacing revenue from trophy hunting with a "lion protection fee" charged to international travelers visiting South Africa.

The fee addresses concerns that without trophy hunting, the livelihoods of communities could suffer or no longer incentivise communities and landowners to support conservation.

Public views on trophy hunting in South Africa

In 2023, our research team has explored the possibility of replacing revenue from trophy hunting with a "lion protection fee" charged to international travelers visiting South Africa.

Rather than overlooking the horrors of trophy hunting, and exploiting wildlife as products, wildlife-friendly alternatives can provide income for communities and incentives to protect animals without killing for so-called sport.

The Lion Protection Fee study

We surveyed 907 respondents who had previously visited South Africa, or would consider visiting in the future to assess their willingness to pay for wildlife protection.

The results revealed that 84.2% of the 907 respondents supported the idea of a "lion protection fee." Only a small minority had a negative view, and very few were pro-trophy hunting. The willingness-to-pay values indicated that such a fee could be set at prices acceptable to both overseas and southern African tourists.

The potential to end trophy hunting

The money raised from this fee could be directed towards wildlife conservation efforts, benefiting both landowners and local communities. However, the specific implementation, collection, and disbursement mechanisms, as well as the criteria for measuring conservation and livelihood benefits, would require further detailed discussions.

This study provides a potential solution to the challenges of ending trophy hunting and contributes to the ongoing debate on how to make this transformation a reality.

Read the full report