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What does trophy hunting contribute to wild lion conservation?

Date:
July 31, 2017
Source:
Wiley
Summary:
Trophy hunting of lions, the killing of selected individual animals for sport, is highly controversial, and there is much debate about what it contributes to conservation. A new article highlights significant 'unknowns' that thwart conservationists from making any robust conclusions.
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Trophy hunting of lions, the killing of selected individual animals for sport, is highly controversial, and there is much debate about what it contributes to conservation. A new article highlights significant 'unknowns' that thwart conservationists from making any robust conclusions.

The authors note that we know surprisingly little about the causes of lion mortality, or even the amount of land used for lion trophy hunting. Similarly, the extent to which trophy hunting depends on lions for financial viability is generally unknown, and it is extremely difficult to predict what would happen to the land where trophy hunting currently occurs if trophy hunting were to cease.

It is clear, though, that the money needed to reverse the loss or reduction of species exceeds income from any form of tourism, including hunting. Innovative methods of funding conservation are needed, particularly in view of the expanding human population in Africa.


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Materials provided by Wiley. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.


Journal Reference:

  1. David W. Macdonald, Andrew J. Loveridge, Amy Dickman, Paul J. Johnson, Kim S. Jacobsen, Byron Du Preez. Lions, trophy hunting and beyond: knowledge gaps and why they matter. Mammal Review, 2017; DOI: 10.1111/mam.12096

Cite This Page:

Wiley. "What does trophy hunting contribute to wild lion conservation?." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 31 July 2017. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/07/170731091049.htm>.
Wiley. (2017, July 31). What does trophy hunting contribute to wild lion conservation?. ScienceDaily. Retrieved October 7, 2024 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/07/170731091049.htm
Wiley. "What does trophy hunting contribute to wild lion conservation?." ScienceDaily. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/07/170731091049.htm (accessed October 7, 2024).

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