In a study posted last year, it was found that trophy hunters killed one animal every THREE minutes over the last decade (1).

The study revealed:

·      Included in the 1.7 million animals killed in the last decade, were elephants, lions and rhinos who are part of CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Fauna and Flora) protected species. 

·      Nearly 800 hunters won the ‘African Big 5’ prize for killing at least one elephant, lion, leopard, a black or white rhino, and a buffalo.

·      Safari Club International awards a special prize to anyone who shoots more than 80 different African species. 

Trophy hunting undermines many facets of maintaining biodiversity around the globe at a time where many wildlife are endangered and being pushed towards extinction. 

Trophy hunting threatens the survival of species in many ways:

·      Risk of local extinction of wildlife populations (2). 

·      Population structure is then skewed to subadult males and females which reduces reproductive success (3).

·      Genetic erosion: where there is decreased genetic diversity and loss of resilience (4).

·      Destabilization of wildlife populations through the key loss of individuals who contain the critical social and ecological knowledge needed for the survival and reproduction (5).

The long-term success of wildlife conservation can only occur in a healthy ecosystem which relies on the critical key wildlife who contribute to the ecosystem’s functioning. Without these key wildlife or keystone species like the elephant, the ecosystem is destabilized. Destabilization of an ecosystem affects the rest of the world because these keystone species help extract carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, playing a critical role in climate change (6).

But not only is killing of wildlife around the globe upsetting the natural balance of wildlife populations and ecosystems, they are not OURS to kill.  The notion these animals are ours for the taking is undermining the detrimental role each being plays on this planet. 

Please sign and share this petition far and wide as every signature counts as the movement forward to a better life for endangered animals everywhere.

Resources:

1.    Eduardo, Goncalves. One Animal Killed Every Three Minutes: Trophy Hunting is out of Control!. Bantrophyhunting.org. June 6, 2022. https://bantrophyhunting.org/one-animal-killed-every-three-minutes-trophy-hunting-is-out-of-control/

2.   Creel, S., M’soka, J., Droge, E., Rosenblatt, E., Becker, M.S. Matandiko, W. and Simpamba, T. (2016).  “Assessing the Sustainability of African lion trophy hunting, with recommendations for policy.” Ecological Applications 26(7): 2347-2357.  https://doi.org/10.1002/eap.1377

3.    Milner, J. M., Nilsen, E.B. and Andreassen, H.P.(2007). “Demographic side effects of selective hunting in ungulates and carnivores.” Conservation Biology 21(1): 36-47.  https://doi.org/10.1111/j 1523-1739. 2006.00591.x

4.   Allendorf, F.W., England, P.R., Luikart, G. Ritchie, P.A., and Ryman, N. (2008). “Genetic effects of harvest on wild animal populations.” Trends in ecology & evolution 23(6): 327-337. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tree.2008.02.008

5.    McComb, K., Shannon, G., Durant, S. M., Sayialel, K., Slotow, R., Poole, J. and Moss, C. (2011). “Leadership in elephants: the adaptive value of age.” Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences 278(1722): 3270-3276. doi:10.1098/rspb.2011.0168

6.   Oswald J. Schmitz et. al. (2023). “Trophic rewilding can expand natural climate solutions.” Nature Climate Change 13: 324-333.