Lion trophy ban won't work: shooters
Banning the importation of lion trophies from Africa won't actually have an impact in improving conservation, according to shooters.
A decision by Environment Minister Greg Hunt to ban the trade is designed to discourage the practice of canned hunting, in which animals are bred in captivity so they can be killed for a fee.
The Sporting Shooters' Association of Australia believes the announcement is more about politics than helping to stop the practice, which it says can only be tackled on the ground.
Policies which cause wildlife to lose its economic value to local communities in Africa can open the door for poachers, the association's Matt Godson said in a statement.
The group has offered to help develop a policy which would better target unethical hunting.
Current regulations in South Africa mean businesses normally only allow "photo-trophies" and that will continue despite Mr Hunt's announcement, Mr Godson said.
Under the government's ban Australians who participate in canned hunting will be unable to bring their trophies home. Source.
I dunno what to make of half of this.
I don't think I've ever seen a lion trophy in Oz? How many can be coming in (none according to later comment anyway?)... Surely not enough that it's top of the Environment Ministers priorities. I think we've got enough problems at home.
Existing South African regs already only photo-trophies are allowed. Sounds like we're banning something we're not actually doing?
Similarly lines to above, what business is it of the Australian Environment Minister what goes in in South Africa? Shouldn't his eyes be looking inward to domestic problems.
Throw in a bit of pinch of telling a foreign democratic country how to run itself for good measure.
I can't even think how he'd get started talking about this, let alone what series of events got us to the point of talking about legislation on hunting in another country.
Not trying to be an advocate for lion hunting here, just thinking WTF?
