Your article exposes the schism between trophy hunting advocates and the numerous scientists, conservationists and community representatives who oppose it (Trophy hunter killings spark fierce battle over the future of super tusker elephants, 8 July).
However, it states that the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) concluded in 2017 that there is “substantial evidence” that trophy hunting produces positive outcomes for wildlife conservation. I don’t think this is the case.
The Born Free Foundation (an IUCN member) asked the IUCN for its position on trophy hunting in 2020. The acting director general, Dr Grethel Aguilar, confirmed that “while different IUCN constituents have differing views on this issue, as an organisation IUCN has not adopted a policy in favour of or against trophy hunting”.
The IUCN world commission for environmental law and ethics specialist group also concluded that “trophy hunting is not consistent with ‘sustainable use’”, and that “any other view would threaten IUCN’s credibility for providing moral and ethical leadership in conservation policies”.
The quote attributed to the IUCN more accurately reflects the views of the 11 authors of an article entitled The Baby and the Bathwater: Trophy Hunting, Conservation and Rural Livelihoods.
The nine authors, some of whom are members of the IUCN species survival commission’s sustainable use and livelihoods specialist group – which, to be clear, may not represent itself as the IUCN – argue that trophy hunting is a conservation activity, frustrating the UK parliament’s longstanding intention to introduce a prohibition on the import of trophies from threatened species – a commitment reiterated by the new government.
While some IUCN members cleave to trophy hunting – an elitist, colonial anachronism – we should all strive for ethically acceptable ways to deliver effective conservation, sustainable livelihoods and financial benefits for those who live alongside wildlife. I will welcome the day when the UK refuses the import of trophies from threatened species and ends the killing of wild animals – including “super tuskers” – for “fun”.
Will Travers
Co-founder, Born Free Foundation
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