Natshoot

Southern Africa’s Sustainable Use Coalition slams CITES CoP20 decisions as “punishing success” and “killing with kindness”

Hardus Fourie — Mon, 08 Dec 2025 02:50:45 +0000

The Sustainable Use Coalition Southern Africa (SUCo-SA) has issued two strongly worded statements criticising decisions made at the CITES CoP20 conference in Uzbekistan, accusing Parties of undermining conservation success in southern Africa and ignoring evidence from range states.

Beyond the Bullet: Why Sustainable Trophy Hunting is Vital for South African Communities and Conservation

Hardus Fourie — Tue, 02 Sep 2025 10:10:45 +0000

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.

Scapegoating Lead-Based Ammunition: Why Bullets Aren’t the Smoking Gun in Vulture Declines

Hardus Fourie — Wed, 02 Jul 2025 19:45:35 +0000

Efforts to ban lead-based ammunition are being framed as essential to vulture conservation. But the real threat isn’t bullets—it’s poisoning, habitat loss, and misinformation that distracts from science and shifts focus away from effective, African-led solutions.

Ten Years After Cecil: The Lion, the Lies, and the Ongoing Exploitation of Wildlife and the Public

Hardus Fourie — Wed, 02 Jul 2025 19:18:52 +0000

It was with trepidation that I watched June 2025 fade away and July 2025 show herself. July 2025 marks ten years since the legal and controversial hunting of “Cecil,” a lion from Zimbabwe’s Hwange National Park whose death was used to ignite global outrage.

The Profile and Socio-Economic Impact of Game Farms in South Africa

marcel-admin — Thu, 06 Mar 2025 15:28:09 +0000

See Research Report HERE

The Profile and Soci-Economic Impact of Local Hunters in South Africa

marcel-admin — Thu, 06 Mar 2025 15:26:02 +0000

See Research Report HERE

Trophy hunting undermines conservation? Wrong

marcel-admin — Thu, 06 Mar 2025 15:22:39 +0000

Trophy hunting is not threatening a single species with extinction. It is actively contributing to the conservation of many endangered species around the world, by generating revenues for local communities which pays to protect habitats and prevent poaching.

Debunking myths about hunting: Separating fact from fiction

marcel-admin — Thu, 06 Mar 2025 15:20:14 +0000

Debunking Myths About Hunting: Separating Fact from Fiction

Hunting is Conservation: Rock versus Diamonds

marcel-admin — Thu, 06 Mar 2025 15:18:51 +0000

Richard York of WRSA on conservation value hunting

CIC Legal Analysis: Trophy import bans violate European law

marcel-admin — Thu, 06 Mar 2025 15:17:16 +0000

A legal analysis commissioned by the CIC in Germany reveals that national trophy import bans in EU countries like Belgium, Finland, France, and the Netherlands are in violation of EU law. Conducted by a leading German commercial law firm, the study argues that such bans fall under exclusive EU jurisdiction, as they primarily regulate foreign trade rather than environmental policy.

The analysis by Dr. Katja Göcke of GvW, emphasizes that import restrictions from third countries into the EU are traditional tools of foreign trade policy. Therefore, a general ban on the import of hunting trophies is a matter for the EU alone. Countries that have already imposed such bans are thus contravening EU law.

Moreover, a legal memorandum authored by Dr. Nikolas Sellheim for the CIC, likewise evaluates the legal foundations of a potential trophy import ban. He further supports the position that such bans are incompatible with EU law.

These legal findings can have significant implications for ongoing efforts in countries like Poland, where foreign anti-hunting organizations are pushing for similar bans. Furthermore, this interpretation can influence future EU-wide policy discussions, potentially leading to unified regulations across member states.

A survey conducted by YouGov earlier this year found that the majority of Europeans support the legal and regulated movement of trophies.

For more detailed information, please refer to the following studies:

Facts about “Trophy” Hunting

IUCN Briefing Paper on Trophy Hunting (2019)

Summary Evaluation of the Memorandum on Trophies

Memorandum Defense Against Ban on Import of Hunting Trophies

Public Attitude Towards Trophy Hunting Report (2024)