From the outside looking in, a non-hunter might find it hard to comprehend. What needs to be understood is that hunters have a deep care and passion for the animals they pursue to ensure that a healthy population of that resource remains.
Hunters commit a large amount of resources and time to help promote species of game to sustainable levels to be able to pursue them for hunting.
The impact of hunters on the African lion has become a hot button issue, to say the least, over the past few years. What should be a discussion based on science has turned into an emotionally charged topic.
Hunting has proven to bring large amounts of money to many African countries. These hunters not only help support the local economies, but also help protect and promote local wildlife. In the Keeping the Lions Share Report, from 2008 to 2011, hunters generated $75 million for Tanzania’s economy alone.
But when it comes to the African lion itself, hunters have again stepped up to the plate to continue to conserve them with science based management and on-the-ground efforts with antipoaching.
Since 2007, Safari Club International has spent over $1.1 million in research efforts, including lion population surveys in Malawi, Mozambique and Tanzania. Studies conducted also researched genetics and health of local wildlife populations. Providing key information to wildlife officials and biologists is essential to ensure science-based decisions are made in conservation.