Trophy hunting of lions, the killing of selected individual animals for sport, is highly zkVw5dPZL2c9E-2FZPmQQcontroversial, and there is much debate about what it contributes to conservation.
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.
The article is published in Mammal Review.
Additional Information
Link to Study: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/mam.12096/full
About Journal
Mammal Review is the official scientific periodical of the Mammal Society, and covers all aspects of mammalian biology and ecology. Hypothesis-driven analytical and systematic reviews of current theoretical and applied research on mammals, meta-analyses, practical assessments of techniques for studying mammals and large-scale considerations of the status, conservation and management of mammals are particularly welcome.
Penny Smith
Tel: +44 (0)1243 770448
sciencenewsroom@wiley.com