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Latombe G, Lenzner B, Schertler A, Dullinger S, Glaser M, Jarić I, Pauchard A, Wilson JRU, Essl F. What is valued in conservation? A framework to compare ethical perspectives. NEOBIOTA 2022. [DOI: 10.3897/neobiota.72.79070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Perspectives in conservation are based on a variety of value systems. Such differences in how people value nature and its components lead to different evaluations of the morality of conservation goals and approaches, and often underlie disagreements in the formulation and implementation of environmental management policies. Specifically, whether a conservation action (e.g. killing feral cats to reduce predation on bird species threatened with extinction) is viewed as appropriate or not can vary among people with different value systems. Here, we present a conceptual, mathematical framework intended as a tool to systematically explore and clarify core value statements in conservation approaches. Its purpose is to highlight how fundamental differences between these value systems can lead to different prioritizations of available management options and offer a common ground for discourse. The proposed equations decompose the question underlying many controversies around management decisions in conservation: what or who is valued, how, and to what extent? We compare how management decisions would likely be viewed under three idealised value systems: ecocentric conservation, which aims to preserve biodiversity; new conservation, which considers that biodiversity can only be preserved if it benefits humans; and sentientist conservation, which aims at minimising suffering for sentient beings. We illustrate the utility of the framework by applying it to case studies involving invasive alien species, rewilding, and trophy hunting. By making value systems and their consequences in practice explicit, the framework facilitates debates on contested conservation issues, and complements philosophical discursive approaches about moral reasoning. We believe dissecting the core value statements on which conservation decisions are based will provide an additional tool to understand and address conservation conflicts.
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2
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Runhovde SR. Mind the Gap! Decoupling Between Policy and Practice in the Policing of Illegal Wildlife Trade. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OFFENDER THERAPY AND COMPARATIVE CRIMINOLOGY 2022; 66:369-388. [PMID: 33124485 DOI: 10.1177/0306624x20967953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Despite numerous promises and pledges at national and international levels to confront what many acknowledge as a crisis, illegal trade in wild plants and animals continues to grow and diversify. Empirical research conducted in Norway and Uganda from 2013 to 2015 indicates that despite the different circumstances in which law enforcement operates in the two countries, policing agents face a number of comparable challenges. Drawing on institutional theory the paper argues that decoupling, that is, gaps between official policies and daily work activities within the policing organizations, compromises enforcement in both countries. Challenges stem from conflicting demands, poor resources and want of guidelines that oblige officers to prioritize the control of illegal wildlife trade in practice.
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3
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Vinks MA, Creel S, Schuette P, Becker MS, Rosenblatt E, Sanguinetti C, Banda K, Goodheart B, Young-Overton K, Stevens X, Chifunte C, Midlane N, Simukonda C. Response of lion demography and dynamics to the loss of preferred larger prey. ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS : A PUBLICATION OF THE ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2021; 31:e02298. [PMID: 33434324 DOI: 10.1002/eap.2298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2020] [Revised: 10/07/2020] [Accepted: 10/27/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Large carnivores are experiencing range contraction and population declines globally. Prey depletion due to illegal offtake is considered a major contributor, but the effects of prey depletion on large carnivore demography are rarely tested. We measured African lion density and tested the factors that affect survival using mark-recapture models fit to six years of data from known individuals in Kafue National Park (KNP), Zambia. KNP is affected by prey depletion, particularly for large herbivores that were preferred prey for KNP lions a half-century ago. This provides a unique opportunity to test whether variables that explain local prey density also affect lion survival. Average lion density within our study area was 3.43 individuals/100 km2 (95% CI, 2.79-4.23), which was much lower than lion density reported for another miombo ecosystem with similar vegetation structure and rainfall that was less affected by prey depletion. Despite this, comparison to other lion populations showed that age- and sex-specific survival rates for KNP lions were generally good, and factors known to correlate with local prey density had small effects on lion survival. In contrast, recruitment of cubs was poor and average pride size was small. In particular, the proportion of the population comprised of second-year cubs was low, indicating that few cubs are recruited into the subadult age class. Our findings suggest that low recruitment might be a better signal of low prey density than survival. Thus, describing a lion population's age structure in addition to average pride size may be a simple and effective method of initially evaluating whether a lion population is affected by prey depletion. These dynamics should be evaluated for other lion populations and other large carnivore species. Increased resource protection and reducing the underlying drivers of prey depletion are urgent conservation needs for lions and other large carnivores as their conservation is increasingly threatened by range contraction and population declines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milan A Vinks
- Department of Ecology, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana, 59717, USA
- Zambian Carnivore Programme, Mfuwe, Zambia
| | - Scott Creel
- Department of Ecology, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana, 59717, USA
- Zambian Carnivore Programme, Mfuwe, Zambia
- Institut för Vilt, Fisk Och Miljö, Sveriges Lantbruksuniversitet, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Paul Schuette
- Marine Mammals Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 1011 East Tudor Road, Anchorage, Alaska, 99503, USA
| | - Matthew S Becker
- Department of Ecology, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana, 59717, USA
- Zambian Carnivore Programme, Mfuwe, Zambia
| | - Elias Rosenblatt
- Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources, Aiken Center, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont, 05405, USA
| | | | | | - Ben Goodheart
- Department of Ecology, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana, 59717, USA
- Zambian Carnivore Programme, Mfuwe, Zambia
| | - Kim Young-Overton
- Panthera, 8 West 40 Street, Floor 18, New York, New York, 10018, USA
| | - Xia Stevens
- Panthera, 8 West 40 Street, Floor 18, New York, New York, 10018, USA
| | - Clive Chifunte
- Institut för Vilt, Fisk Och Miljö, Sveriges Lantbruksuniversitet, Umeå, Sweden
- Zambia Department of National Parks and Wildlife, Chilanga, Zambia
| | - Neil Midlane
- Wilderness Safaris, Block H, The Terraces, Steenberg Office Park, 1 Silverwood Close, Tokai, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Chuma Simukonda
- Zambia Department of National Parks and Wildlife, Chilanga, Zambia
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4
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Bauer H, Chardonnet B, Scholte P, Kamgang SA, Tiomoko DA, Tehou AC, Sinsin B, Gebresenbet F, Asefa A, Bobo KS, Garba H, Abagana AL, Diouck D, Mohammed AA, Sillero-Zubiri C. Consider divergent regional perspectives to enhance wildlife conservation across Africa. Nat Ecol Evol 2021; 5:149-152. [PMID: 33139922 DOI: 10.1038/s41559-020-01343-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Hans Bauer
- Wildlife Conservation Research Unit, Recanati-Kaplan Centre, Zoology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK. .,Evolutionary Ecology Group, Biology, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium.
| | | | - Paul Scholte
- Biodiversity Conservation, German International Cooperation (GIZ), Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire
| | | | - Djafarou Ali Tiomoko
- Biodiversity Conservation, German International Cooperation (GIZ), Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire
| | - Aristide Comlan Tehou
- Laboratory for Applied Ecology, Natural Resource Conservation, University of Abomey-Calavi, Cotonou, Benin
| | - Brice Sinsin
- Laboratory for Applied Ecology, Natural Resource Conservation, University of Abomey-Calavi, Cotonou, Benin
| | | | - Addisu Asefa
- Protected Areas Estate Project, Ethiopian Wildlife Conservation Authority, Addis Abeba, Ethiopia
| | | | - Hamissou Garba
- Protected Areas Division, Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development, Niamey, Niger
| | - Ali Laouel Abagana
- Project Sustainable Management of Biodiversity, Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development, Niamey, Niger
| | - Djibril Diouck
- National Parks Directorate, Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development, Dakar, Senegal
| | | | - Claudio Sillero-Zubiri
- Wildlife Conservation Research Unit, Recanati-Kaplan Centre, Zoology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.,The Born Free Foundation, Horsham, UK
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5
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Chakanya C, Arnaud E, Muchenje V, Hoffman LC. Fermented meat sausages from game and venison: what are the opportunities and limitations? JOURNAL OF THE SCIENCE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE 2020; 100:5023-5031. [PMID: 29635774 DOI: 10.1002/jsfa.9053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2017] [Revised: 03/07/2018] [Accepted: 04/02/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
An increase in the acceptance, demand and production of game meat and venison has been experienced globally. Game meat and venison fit into consumers' ideology of healthy and environmentally friendly meat when compared to domesticated animals. Opportunities exist to explore the use of these meat sources in developing new products, particularly as game meat and venison in their fresh state are sometimes perceived as being tough. Consumers have shown a trend for trying exciting new products with different organoleptic qualities, and fermented sausages occupy a special niche in the gastro-economic trade. In this review, the production potential of game meat and venison and its prospective use in the development of fermented sausages are discussed. Emphasis is placed on the importance of meat characteristics in textural and sensorial development as well as the safety of fermented sausages. Additionally, consumers' perception of venison and game meat is discussed. Possible areas of research and knowledge gaps are highlighted, particularly the potential use of meat with high pH and microbial load. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chido Chakanya
- Department of Livestock and Pasture Science, University of Fort Hare, Alice, South Africa
- Department of Animal Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | - Elodie Arnaud
- Department of Animal Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
- CIRAD, UMR QualiSud, Stellenbosch, South Africa
- QualiSud, Université de Montpellier, CIRAD, Montpellier SupAgro, Université d'Avignon, Université de La Réunion, Montpellier, France
| | - Voster Muchenje
- Department of Livestock and Pasture Science, University of Fort Hare, Alice, South Africa
| | - Louwrens C Hoffman
- Department of Animal Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
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6
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Ferguson AW. On the role of (and threat to) natural history museums in mammal conservation: an African small mammal perspective. JOURNAL OF VERTEBRATE BIOLOGY 2020. [DOI: 10.25225/jvb.20028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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7
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Ghasemi B. Trophy hunting and conservation: Do the major ethical theories converge in opposition to trophy hunting? PEOPLE AND NATURE 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/pan3.10160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Ghasemi
- Human Dimensions of Natural Resources Lab & Applied Biodiversity Science Program Department of Rangeland, Wildlife & Fisheries Management Texas A&M University College Station TX USA
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8
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Allen CRB, Brent LJN, Motsentwa T, Weiss MN, Croft DP. Importance of old bulls: leaders and followers in collective movements of all-male groups in African savannah elephants (Loxodonta africana). Sci Rep 2020; 10:13996. [PMID: 32883968 PMCID: PMC7471917 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-70682-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2020] [Accepted: 06/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
In long-lived social species, older individuals can provide fitness benefits to their groupmates through the imparting of ecological knowledge. Research in this area has largely focused on females in matrilineal societies where, for example, older female African savannah elephants (Loxodonta africana) are most effective at making decisions crucial to herd survival, and old post-reproductive female resident killer whales (Orcinus orca) lead collective movements in hunting grounds. In contrast, little is known about the role of older males as leaders in long-lived social species. By analysing leadership patterns of all-male African savannah elephant traveling groups along elephant pathways in Makgadikgadi Pans National Park, Botswana, we found that the oldest males were more likely to lead collective movements. Our results challenge the assumption that older male elephants are redundant in the population and raise concerns over the biased removal of old bulls that currently occurs in both legal trophy hunting and illegal poaching. Selective harvesting of older males could have detrimental effects on the wider elephant society through loss of leaders crucial to younger male navigation in unknown, risky environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Connie R B Allen
- Centre for Research in Animal Behaviour, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, EX4 4QG, UK.
| | - Lauren J N Brent
- Centre for Research in Animal Behaviour, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, EX4 4QG, UK
| | - Thatayaone Motsentwa
- Elephants for Africa, 5 Balfour Road, London, N5 2HB, UK.,Elephants for Africa, Mailbox 148 HAK, Maun, Botswana
| | - Michael N Weiss
- Centre for Research in Animal Behaviour, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, EX4 4QG, UK
| | - Darren P Croft
- Centre for Research in Animal Behaviour, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, EX4 4QG, UK
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9
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Ahmad S, Khan TU, Hacker C, Yang L, Nabi G, Ullah S, Wanghe K, Shah S, Chen M, Saeed S, Luan X. Critical assessment of Asiatic ibex (Capra ibex sibirica) for sustainable harvesting in northern areas of Pakistan. Glob Ecol Conserv 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2020.e00907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
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10
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Vinks MA, Creel S, Schuette P, Rosenblatt E, Matandiko W, Sanguinetti C, Banda K, Goodheart B, Becker M, Chifunte C, Simukonda C. Testing the effects of anthropogenic pressures on a diverse African herbivore community. Ecosphere 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.3067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Milan A. Vinks
- Conservation Biology and Ecology Program Department of Ecology Montana State University Bozeman Montana59717USA
- Zambian Carnivore Programme Mfuwe Zambia
| | - Scott Creel
- Conservation Biology and Ecology Program Department of Ecology Montana State University Bozeman Montana59717USA
- Zambian Carnivore Programme Mfuwe Zambia
- Department of Wildlife Fish and Environmental Studies Sveriges Lantbruksuniversitet Umeå90183Sweden
| | - Paul Schuette
- Zambian Carnivore Programme Mfuwe Zambia
- Alaska Center for Conservation Science University of Alaska Anchorage Anchorage Alaska99508USA
| | - Elias Rosenblatt
- Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources Aiken Center University of Vermont Burlington Vermont05405USA
| | - Wigganson Matandiko
- Conservation Biology and Ecology Program Department of Ecology Montana State University Bozeman Montana59717USA
- Zambian Carnivore Programme Mfuwe Zambia
| | | | | | - Ben Goodheart
- Conservation Biology and Ecology Program Department of Ecology Montana State University Bozeman Montana59717USA
- Zambian Carnivore Programme Mfuwe Zambia
| | | | - Clive Chifunte
- Department of Wildlife Fish and Environmental Studies Sveriges Lantbruksuniversitet Umeå90183Sweden
- Zambia Department of National Parks and Wildlife Lusaka Zambia
| | - Chuma Simukonda
- Zambia Department of National Parks and Wildlife Lusaka Zambia
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11
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Wilfred P. The challenges facing resident hunting in western Tanzania: the case of the Ugalla ecosystem. EUR J WILDLIFE RES 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s10344-019-1322-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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12
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Wanger TC, Traill LW, Cooney R, Rhodes JR, Tscharntke T. Trophy hunting certification. Nat Ecol Evol 2019; 1:1791-1793. [PMID: 29162940 DOI: 10.1038/s41559-017-0387-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Thomas C Wanger
- Agroecology, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany. .,Department of Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Lochran W Traill
- School of Natural Sciences and Psychology, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UK. .,School of Animal, Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.
| | - Rosie Cooney
- Interdisciplinary Environmental Studies, University of New South Wales, New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.,IUCN CEESP/SSC Sustainable Use and Livelihoods Specialist Group, New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Jonathan R Rhodes
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Environmental Decisions, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.,School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.,Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Science, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
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13
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Garbett R, Maude G, Hancock P, Kenny D, Reading R, Amar A. Association between hunting and elevated blood lead levels in the critically endangered African white-backed vulture Gyps africanus. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2018; 630:1654-1665. [PMID: 29550066 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.02.220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2017] [Revised: 02/14/2018] [Accepted: 02/18/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Lead (Pb) toxicity caused by the ingestion of Pb ammunition fragments in carcasses and offal is a threat to scavenging birds across the globe. African vultures are in critical decline, but research on whether Pb exposure is contributing to declines is lacking. In Africa, recreational hunting represents an important economic activity; however, Pb in leftover hunted carcasses and gut piles represents a dangerous food source for vultures. It is therefore important to establish whether recreational hunting is associated with Pb exposure in African vultures. We explored this issue for the critically endangered white-backed vulture (Gyps africanus) in Botswana by examining their blood Pb levels inside and outside of the hunting season, and inside and outside of private hunting areas. From 566 birds captured and tested, 30.2% birds showed elevated Pb levels (10 to <45 μg/dl) and 2.3% showed subclinical exposure (≥45 μg/dl). Higher blood Pb levels were associated with samples taken inside of the hunting season and from within hunting areas. Additionally, there was a significant interaction between hunting season and areas, with Pb levels declining more steeply between hunting and non-hunting seasons within hunting areas than outside them. Thus, all our results were consistent with the suggestion that elevated Pb levels in this critically endangered African vulture are associated with recreational hunting. Pb is known to be highly toxic to scavenging birds and we recommend that Pb ammunition in Botswana is phased out as soon as possible to help protect this rapidly declining group of birds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Garbett
- FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology, DST-NRF Centre of Excellence, University of Cape Town, Private Bag X3, Rondebosch 7701, South Africa; Raptors Botswana, Box Ha 33 Hak, Maun, Botswana.
| | - Glyn Maude
- Raptors Botswana, Box Ha 33 Hak, Maun, Botswana; Denver Zoological Foundation, E. 2300 Steele St, Denver, CO 80205, USA
| | | | - David Kenny
- Raptors Botswana, Box Ha 33 Hak, Maun, Botswana
| | | | - Arjun Amar
- FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology, DST-NRF Centre of Excellence, University of Cape Town, Private Bag X3, Rondebosch 7701, South Africa
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14
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Batavia C, Nelson MP, Darimont CT, Paquet PC, Ripple WJ, Wallach AD. The elephant (head) in the room: A critical look at trophy hunting. Conserv Lett 2018. [DOI: 10.1111/conl.12565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Chelsea Batavia
- Department of Forest Ecosystems and Society; Oregon State University; United States
| | - Michael Paul Nelson
- Department of Forest Ecosystems and Society; Oregon State University; United States
| | - Chris T. Darimont
- Department of Geography, University of Victoria; Canada
- Raincoast Conservation Foundation; Canada
| | - Paul C. Paquet
- Department of Geography, University of Victoria; Canada
- Raincoast Conservation Foundation; Canada
| | - William J. Ripple
- Department of Forest Ecosystems and Society; Oregon State University; United States
| | - Arian D. Wallach
- Centre for Compassionate Conservation, School of Life Sciences; University of Technology Sydney; Australia
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15
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Leopard diets and landowner perceptions of human wildlife conflict in the Soutpansberg Mountains, South Africa. J Nat Conserv 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jnc.2017.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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16
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Abstract
AbstractIn 2001 sport hunting was reintroduced in Uganda around Lake Mburo National Park, and in 2008 at Kabwoya and Kaiso-Tonya Game Management Area, to derive economic benefits for communities and thus reduce human–wildlife conflict and change communities’ attitudes towards wildlife. We used the policy arrangement approach to analyse and compare the development of the two sport hunting policy arrangements. Through interviews and document review we learned that the arrangement at Lake Mburo changed considerably over time, whereas that at Kabwoya remained relatively stable. The two policy arrangements started with small constellations of actors but turned out to be complex arenas, mainly involving disagreement regarding the benefits. Land ownership proved to be a crucial factor in explaining the differences between the arrangements. Our results also show that benefits do not change communities’ attitudes towards conservation, thus questioning incentive-based policies for conservation. We argue for a careful analysis of the complex social, cultural and political contexts in which conservation and development policies are implemented, to better understand their outcomes.
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17
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Muposhi VK, Gandiwa E, Bartels P, Makuza SM, Madiri TH. Trophy Hunting and Sustainability: Temporal Dynamics in Trophy Quality and Harvesting Patterns of Wild Herbivores in a Tropical Semi-Arid Savanna Ecosystem. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0164429. [PMID: 27736930 PMCID: PMC5063477 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0164429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2016] [Accepted: 09/26/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The selective nature of trophy hunting may cause changes in desirable phenotypic traits in harvested species. A decline in trophy size of preferred species may reduce hunting destination competitiveness thus compromising the sustainability of trophy hunting as a conservation tool. We explored the trophy quality and trends in harvesting patterns (i.e., 2004-2015) of Cape buffalo (Syncerus caffer), African elephant (Loxodonta africana), greater kudu (Tragelaphus strepsiceros) and sable (Hippotragus niger) in Matetsi Safari Area, northwest Zimbabwe. We used long-term data on horn and tusk size, age, quota size allocation and offtake levels of selected species. To analyse the effect of year, area and age on the trophy size, quota size and offtake levels, we used linear mixed models. One sample t-test was used to compare observed trophy size with Safari Club International (SCI) minimum score. Trophy sizes for Cape buffalo and African elephant were below the SCI minimum score. Greater kudu trophy sizes were within the minimum score threshold whereas sable trophy sizes were above the SCI minimum score between 2004 and 2015. Age at harvest for Cape buffalo, kudu and sable increased whilst that of elephant remained constant between 2004 and 2015. Quota size allocated for buffalo and the corresponding offtake levels declined over time. Offtake levels of African elephant and Greater kudu declined whilst the quota size did not change between 2004 and 2015. The quota size for sable increased whilst the offtake levels fluctuated without changing for the period 2004-2015. The trophy size and harvesting patterns in these species pose a conservation and management dilemma on the sustainability of trophy hunting in this area. We recommend: (1) temporal and spatial rotational resting of hunting areas to create refuge to improve trophy quality and maintenance of genetic diversity, and (2) introduction of variable trophy fee pricing system based on trophy size.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victor K. Muposhi
- School of Wildlife, Ecology and Conservation, Chinhoyi University of Technology, Private Bag 7724, Chinhoyi, Zimbabwe
| | - Edson Gandiwa
- School of Wildlife, Ecology and Conservation, Chinhoyi University of Technology, Private Bag 7724, Chinhoyi, Zimbabwe
| | - Paul Bartels
- Department of Nature Conservation, Tshwane University of Technology, Private Bag X680, Pretoria, 0001, South Africa
| | - Stanley M. Makuza
- School of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Chinhoyi University of Technology, Private Bag 7724, Chinhoyi, Zimbabwe
| | - Tinaapi H. Madiri
- Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority, PO Box CY140, Causeway, Harare, Zimbabwe
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18
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Muposhi VK, Gandiwa E, Makuza SM, Bartels P. Trophy hunting and perceived risk in closed ecosystems: Flight behaviour of three gregarious African ungulates in a semi-arid tropical savanna. AUSTRAL ECOL 2016. [DOI: 10.1111/aec.12367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Victor K. Muposhi
- School of Wildlife, Ecology and Conservation; Chinhoyi University of Technology; Chinhoyi Zimbabwe
| | - Edson Gandiwa
- School of Wildlife, Ecology and Conservation; Chinhoyi University of Technology; Chinhoyi Zimbabwe
| | - Stanley M. Makuza
- School of Agricultural Sciences and Technology; Chinhoyi University of Technology; Chinhoyi Zimbabwe
| | - Paul Bartels
- Department of Nature Conservation; Tshwane University of Technology; Pretoria South Africa
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19
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Lindsey PA, Balme GA, Funston PJ, Henschel PH, Hunter LT. Life after Cecil: channelling global outrage into funding for conservation in Africa. Conserv Lett 2016. [DOI: 10.1111/conl.12224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Peter A. Lindsey
- Panthera; 8 West 40 St, Fl 18, NY 10018 USA
- Mammal Research Institute, Department of Zoology and Entomology; University of Pretoria; Pretoria South Africa
| | - Guy A. Balme
- Panthera; 8 West 40 St, Fl 18, NY 10018 USA
- Department of Biological Sciences; University of Cape Town; Cape Town South Africa
| | | | | | - Luke T.B. Hunter
- Panthera; 8 West 40 St, Fl 18, NY 10018 USA
- School of Life Sciences, Westville Campus; University of KwaZulu-Natal; Durban 4000 South Africa
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Harris RB, Cooney R, Leader-Williams N. Application of the anthropogenic allee effect model to trophy hunting as a conservation tool. CONSERVATION BIOLOGY : THE JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR CONSERVATION BIOLOGY 2013; 27:945-951. [PMID: 23869913 DOI: 10.1111/cobi.12115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2012] [Accepted: 03/28/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Trophy hunting can provide economic incentives to conserve wild species, but it can also involve risk when rare species are hunted. The anthropogenic Allee effect (AAE) is a conceptual model that seeks to explain how rarity may spread the seeds of further endangerment. The AAE model has increasingly been invoked in the context of trophy hunting, increasing concerns that such hunting may undermine rather than enhance conservation efforts. We question the appropriateness of uncritically applying the AAE model to trophy hunting for 4 reasons. First, the AAE assumes an open-access resource, which is a poor characterization of most trophy-hunting programs and obscures the potential for state, communal, or private-property use rights to generate positive incentives for conservation. Second, study results that show the price of hunting increases as the rarity of the animal increases are insufficient to indicate the presence of AAE. Third, AAE ignores the existence of biological and behavioral factors operating in most trophy-hunting contexts that tend to regulate the effect of hunting. We argue that site-specific data, rather than aggregated hunting statistics, are required to demonstrate that patterns of unsustainable exploitation can be well explained by an AAE model. Instead, we suggest that conservation managers seeking to investigate and identify constraints that limit the potential conservation role of trophy hunting, should focus on the critical governance characteristics that shape the potential conservation role of trophy hunting, such as corruption, insecure property rights, and inadequate sharing of benefits with local people.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard B Harris
- Department of Ecosystem and Conservation Sciences, University of Montana, Missoula, MT, 59812, U.S.A..
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Lindsey PA, Balme GA, Funston P, Henschel P, Hunter L, Madzikanda H, Midlane N, Nyirenda V. The trophy hunting of African lions: scale, current management practices and factors undermining sustainability. PLoS One 2013; 8:e73808. [PMID: 24058491 PMCID: PMC3776777 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0073808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2013] [Accepted: 07/25/2013] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The trophy hunting of lions Panthera leo is contentious due to uncertainty concerning conservation impacts and because of highly polarised opinions about the practice. African lions are hunted across at least ~558,000 km(2), which comprises 27-32% of the lion range in countries where trophy hunting of the species is permitted. Consequently, trophy hunting has potential to impart significant positive or negative impacts on lions. Several studies have demonstrated that excessive trophy harvests have driven lion population declines. There have been several attempts by protectionist non-governmental organisations to reduce or preclude trophy hunting via restrictions on the import and export of lion trophies. We document the management of lion hunting in Africa and highlight challenges which need addressing to achieve sustainability. Problems include: unscientific bases for quota setting; excessive quotas and off-takes in some countries; fixed quotas which encourage over-harvest; and lack of restrictions on the age of lions that can be hunted. Key interventions needed to make lion hunting more sustainable, include implementation of: enforced age restrictions; improved trophy monitoring; adaptive management of quotas and a minimum length of lion hunts of at least 21 days. Some range states have made important steps towards implementing such improved management and off-takes have fallen steeply in recent years. For example age restrictions have been introduced in Tanzania and in Niassa in Mozambique, and are being considered for Benin and Zimbabwe, several states have reduced quotas, and Zimbabwe is implementing trophy monitoring. However, further reforms are needed to ensure sustainability and reduce conservation problems associated with the practice while allowing retention of associated financial incentives for conservation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Andrew Lindsey
- Lion Program, Panthera, New York, United States of America
- Mammal Research Institute, Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa
- * E-mail:
| | - Guy Andrew Balme
- Lion Program, Panthera, New York, United States of America
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa
| | - Paul Funston
- Lion Program, Panthera, New York, United States of America
| | | | - Luke Hunter
- Lion Program, Panthera, New York, United States of America
| | - Hilary Madzikanda
- Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority, Harare, Mashonaland East, Zimbabwe
| | - Neil Midlane
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa
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Nuzzo MC, Traill LW. What 50 years of trophy records illustrate for hunted African elephant and bovid populations. Afr J Ecol 2013. [DOI: 10.1111/aje.12104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Marcella C. Nuzzo
- Division of Biology; Imperial College London; Silwood Park Berkshire SL5 7PY UK
| | - Lochran W. Traill
- Division of Biology; Imperial College London; Silwood Park Berkshire SL5 7PY UK
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Lindsey P, Alexander R, Balme G, Midlane N, Craig J. Possible Relationships between the South African Captive-Bred Lion Hunting Industry and the Hunting and Conservation of Lions Elsewhere in Africa. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2012. [DOI: 10.3957/056.042.0103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
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Remis MJ, Kpanou JB. Primate and ungulate abundance in response to multi-use zoning and human extractive activities in a Central African Reserve. Afr J Ecol 2010. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2028.2010.01229.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Hall RJ, Milner-Gulland EJ, Courchamp F. Endangering the endangered: The effects of perceived rarity on species exploitation. Conserv Lett 2008. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1755-263x.2008.00013.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 104] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
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