Trophy hunting
Trophy hunting is unethical. It harms conservation. Claims that it is supported by, and benefits, local communities are unsubstantiated.
Dr Jane Goodall, DBE, Founder, Jane Goodall Institute & UN Messenger of Peace
Trophy hunting has no place in wildlife tourism
Wildlife tourism has the potential to:
- educate and engage
- help conserve endangered species and threatened habitats
- help local communities protect their heritage and environment
- provide sustainable livelihoods
However, trophy hunting undermines conservation efforts, damages biodiversity and eco-systems, and harms individuals and communities.
- Trophy hunters target mature prime individuals (not weak or 'problem' individuals as often claimed), harming the gene pool and changing the dynamics of remaining group members.
- Trophy hunting is inhumane, with many documented cases of inexperience and poor practice causing great suffering to animals.
- Trophy hunting is a form of 'colonial'-style extraction and exploitation. It is rarely supported by local communities but popular with corrupt officials.
- Very little money reaches true conservation efforts or the local community. Especially compared to other forms of wildlife tourism like photo tourism.
JGI's concerns
JGI promotes conservation tourism, which creates a net benefit for wildlife, the environment and local communities.
JGI’s concern about trophy hunting extends to all species, with a particular concern for endangered species.
JGI has a special focus on primates. These are intelligent, social, sensitive species, who experience rich emotions and exhibit complex social behaviour. Yet primates are among the species most targeted by trophy hunters in terms of numbers killed, with baboons and vervet monkeys especially impacted.
Trophy hunting is cruel. It directly harms wildlife. And beyond its immediate impact, it also affects local perceptions of the species, further damaging conservation efforts.
