A new study in Biological Conservation (Vol. 309, September 2025) suggests that communities near Kruger National Park largely reject trophy hunting and favour alternative incomes. WRSA counters that the findings lean more animal-rights than real-world conservation science. Ethical, regulated trophy hunting remains vital. It sustains both rural economies and wildlife protection. Alternatives underperform in delivering equivalent socio-economic impact. The piece argues that trophy hunting anchored in proper science and regulation is a necessary pillar—not a luxury—for conservation and community welfare.