Green hunting

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Green hunting (also eco-hunting, green bullet concept, green darting or darting safari) is the practice of tracking and shooting game animals with non-lethal tranquilizer guns [1] or bows [2] and subsequently releasing the captured animals alive. Green hunting would typically be performed when tranquilization of the animal is necessary for veterinary, monitoring or species translocation purposes. [3] [4]

Contents

Green hunting has been advocated as a conservation-minded alternative to sport hunting, [5] [6] because it allows the hunter to experience the thrill of a traditional hunt without actually killing the animal (similar to the catch and release practice promoted by modern recreational fishing), leaving the wildlife abundance undiminished and thus contributing directly to conservation initiatives. The measurements and details of a tranquilized animal are generally accepted by hunting organization's logbooks and fiberglass trophy mounts can be made to accolade the hunter. [7] There are some other advantages of eco-hunting, as the hunter has the additional option to be kept regularly updated on the animal's future movements if the darting was part of a GPS animal tracking project. [8] Though still costly (sometimes upwards of US$25,000), green hunting is more economical as fees are typically lower than trophy hunting (up to US$60,000). [7] The fees finance the conservation project that necessitates an immobilized animal for microchipping, ear-notching, tissue collection or GPS tracking and any additional funds can be used to support the management of the protected area involved. [8] [9] Due to the significantly reduced terminal ballistics, the hunter must get within 30 metres (98 ft) from the target animal to successfully dart it, often much closer than required for traditional hunting. [6] Group darting safaris also exist, where a group of spectators witness the hunt without participating in the procedures. [2] [9]

Ideally, all green hunts involve a veterinarian to safely administer anesthesia and ensure procedures prioritize the well-being of the animal. The immobilization should occur in the morning when temperatures are cooler, the immobilized animals' ears and eyes should be covered to reduce stress while sampling, measurements and other procedures occur, after which an antidote is administered in order to reverse the tranquilization effect. [2] Cat species are particularly vulnerable to anesthesia and should be monitored for 24 hours after immobilization. [2] Criticism has sprung up over the possibility that particular animals may undergo tranquilization too frequently in the interest of generating revenue, with cases of corruption culminating in a loss of support for green hunting by government, conservation and hunting organizations. [10] [11]

White Rhino, South Africa South Africa-Mpumalanga-Rhino02.jpg
White Rhino, South Africa

History

The concept of darting animals for conservation purposes under the name of "green hunting" has been attributed to multiple sources in South Africa: Dr. Paul Bartles, head of the Wildlife Biological Resource Center of the National Zoological Gardens, [2] the Wildlife Protection Service of South Africa [6] as well the conservation organization Save the Elephants. The first documentation of green hunting is from a GPS collaring project to track elephants at the Timbavati Game Reserve of South Africa in 1998. [8] Sport hunting rhinos using tranquilizer darts had occurred prior to the concept of green hunting, but the practice was formalized after support from conservation organizations and an important shift in the South African economy from the agricultural sector to the wildlife sector in the early 2000s. The loss of profitability in conventional agriculture through deregulation, farming subsidies and other changes to land-related policies led to rapid conversion of farmland to game ranche, [7] leading initiatives like green hunting to be widely and quickly implemented. [12] [13]

The fees accrued from the green darting of the Big Five game species (elephant, rhino, cape buffalo, leopard, lion) became an important alternative to trophy hunting fees for financing conservation projects, including both private and public protected areas. The negative reputation of trophy hunting was of concern for stakeholders as international tourism in Africa grew significantly in this time period. [12] Green hunting was proposed as an innovative solution that could provide funding without the ecological repercussions caused by trophy hunting –namely the impact on population dynamics from the loss of prominent males. [7] [8] In the hunting community, green hunting was legitimized after major hunting organizations such as Safari Club International, officially recognized measurements from tranquilized animals in their trophy record books. [11] This garnered hopes that eco-hunting could completely replace trophy hunting. [11]

Despite "strict protocols" established in South Africa by the Department of Nature Conservation as green hunting gain popularity, [8] legislation in 2006 banned non-veterinarians from darting animals, eliminating it as an alternative for trophy hunters in the country. [14] By the 2010s, green hunting has reportedly been denounced by several organizations, including the Professional Hunters Association of South Africa, the South African Veterinary Council, Game Rangers Association of Africa and the Department of Environmental Affairs. [15] In recent years, green hunting has received little attention and has been further impacted by new legislation in South Africa such as the National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act, the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act and the Threatened or Protected Species Regulations. [13] Amid this negative reputation, green hunting continues in the form of spectator darting safaris in South Africa and its role in the mitigation of rhinoceros horn trade is still considered valuable. [16]

Green hunting in Paraguay funds jaguar relocation projects. [17]

Controversies

Green hunting is now generally denounced by governments, conservation organizations and animal rights groups due to cases of corruption, concerns about the ethics of dart safaris [18] and issues of tranquilizer being sold by veterinarians on the black market. [8] Critics claim green hunts became primarily business ventures, leaving conservation elements to be neglected in favor of profits. [15] Despite a significant pool of animals needed to be tranquilized for studies, there are cases of multiple immobilizations of an individual occurring solely for the sake of sport. [11] [15] Specialists argue that animals should be tranquilized no more than one to two times a year. [10] In one alleged case, tranquilization of the same rhino occurred once every two weeks, [15] raising concerns regarding the negative physiological impact of repeated tranquilizations given the lack of studies on the related effects and consequences. [9] [10] Known dangers of the tranquilization process include cardiac arrest, asphyxiation and/or organ damage from the position of the animal upon collapse and vulnerability to predation, falling and drowning post-procedure. [18] [19] Even under the strict veterinary procedures of a research context, there are several cases of death due to tranquilization related complications. [19] [20]

It has been suggested that the banning of green hunting in South Africa is contradictory given that game hunting remains legal. [10] In Zimbabwe, a survey showed that most hunters would prefer green hunts over trophy hunts and called for an international certification system to diminish corruption. [21] Corruption issues of green hunting are aggravated by the complex, fragmented and outdated regulatory system for private protected areas, without international standards. [1] Further sensitization of stakeholders to principles of conservation ecology and regional and international cooperation is suggested for the long-term success of future initiatives. [7]

Green hunting is sometimes grouped with the much more controversial practice of canned hunting. [1] [15]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hunting</span> Searching, pursuing, and killing wild animals

Hunting is the human practice of seeking, pursuing, capturing, or killing wildlife or feral animals. The most common reasons for humans to hunt are to exploit the animal's body for meat and useful animal products, for recreation/taxidermy, although it may also be done for non-exploitative reasons such as removing predators dangerous to humans or domestic animals, to eliminate pests and nuisance animals that damage crops/livestock/poultry or spread diseases, for trade/tourism, or for ecological conservation against overpopulation and invasive species.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Poaching</span> Illegal hunting of wildlife

Poaching is the illegal hunting or capturing of wild animals, usually associated with land use rights. Poaching was once performed by impoverished peasants for subsistence purposes and to supplement meager diets. It was set against the hunting privileges of nobility and territorial rulers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Big five game</span> African game-hunting species

In Africa, the Big five game animals are the lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant, and African buffalo. The term was coined by big-game hunters to refer to the five most difficult animals in Africa to hunt on foot, but is now more widely used by game viewing tourists and safari tour operators. They are examples of charismatic megafauna, featuring prominently in popular culture, and are among the most famous of Africa's large animals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Game reserve</span> Area of land set aside for wild animals

A game reserve is a large area of land where wild animals live safely or are hunted in a controlled way for sport. If hunting is prohibited, a game reserve may be considered a nature reserve; however, the focus of a game reserve is specifically the animals (fauna), whereas a nature reserve is also, if not equally, concerned with all aspects of native biota of the area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">International Council for Game and Wildlife Conservation</span> International organization

The International Council for Game and Wildlife Conservation (CIC) (French: Conseil International de la Chasse et de la Conservation du Gibier, German: Internationaler Rat zur Erhaltung des Wildes und der Jagd) is a politically independent not-for-profit international organisation, aiming to preserve wildlife through the promotion of sustainable use of wildlife resources. The initialism "CIC" comes from the organisation's original French name Conseil International de la Chasse.

A canned hunt is a trophy hunt which is not "fair chase", typically by having game animals kept in a confined area such as in a fenced ranch to prevent the animals' escape and make tracking easier for the hunter, in order to increase the likelihood of the hunter obtaining a kill. The term has been used for driven grouse shooting, in which large areas of Britain are farmed for red grouse. According to WordNet, a canned hunt is a "hunt for animals that have been raised on game ranches until they are mature enough to be killed for trophy collections."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trophy hunting</span> Hunting of wild animals for trophies

Trophy hunting is a form of hunting for sport in which parts of the hunted wild animals are kept and displayed as trophies. The animal being targeted, known as the "game", is typically a mature male specimen from a popular species of collectable interests, usually of large sizes, holding impressive horns, antlers, furs or manes. Most trophies consist of only select parts of the animal, which are prepared for display by a taxidermist. The parts most commonly kept vary by species, but often include head, hide, tusks, horns, or antlers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">International Fund for Animal Welfare</span> Non-profit US organization

The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) is one of the largest animal welfare and conservation charities in the world. The organization works to rescue individual animals, safeguard populations, preserve habitat, and advocate for greater protections. Brian Davies founded IFAW. IFAW was instrumental in ending the commercial seal hunt in Canada. In 1983 Europe banned all whitecoat harp seals products. This ban helped save over 1 million seals. IFAW operates in over 40 countries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Environmental issues in Kenya</span>

Environmental issues in Kenya include deforestation, soil erosion, desertification, water shortage and degraded water quality, flooding, poaching, and domestic and industrial pollution.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Safari Club International</span> American hunters rights organization

Safari Club International (SCI) is a US organization composed of hunters dedicated to protecting the freedom to hunt. SCI has more than 50,000 members and 180 local chapters. SCI members agree to abide by the organization's code of ethics, which includes making a positive contribution to wildlife and ecosystems, complying with game laws, and assisting game and fish officers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wildlife tourism</span>

Wildlife tourism is an element of many nations' travel industry centered around observation and interaction with local animal and plant life in their natural habitats. While it can include eco- and animal-friendly tourism, safari hunting and similar high-intervention activities also fall under the umbrella of wildlife tourism. Wildlife tourism, in its simplest sense, is interacting with wild animals in their natural habitat, either by actively or passively. Wildlife tourism is an important part of the tourism industries in many countries including many African and South American countries, Australia, India, Canada, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Sri Lanka and Maldives among many. It has experienced a dramatic and rapid growth in recent years worldwide and many elements are closely aligned to eco-tourism and sustainable tourism.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Big-game hunting</span> Hunting of large animals

Big-game hunting is the hunting of large game animals for trophies, taxidermy, meat, and commercially valuable animal by-products. The term is often associated with the hunting of Africa's "Big Five" games, and Indian rhinoceros and Bengal tigers on the Indian subcontinent.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Communal wildlife conservancies in Namibia</span>

Namibia is one of few countries in the world to specifically address habitat conservation and protection of natural resources in their constitution. Article 95 states, "The State shall actively promote and maintain the welfare of the people by adopting international policies aimed at the following: maintenance of ecosystems, essential ecological processes, and biological diversity of Namibia, and utilization of living natural resources on a sustainable basis for the benefit of all Namibians, both present and future.".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Majete Wildlife Reserve</span>

Majete Wildlife Reserve is a nature reserve in southwestern Malawi, established as a protected area in 1955. The reserve's animal populations were decimated during the late 1970s and 1980s due to poaching and other human activities. Majete has been managed by African Parks since 2003, when the nonprofit conservation organization entered into a public–private partnership with the Malawi Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW). Since then, wildlife has been restored, the park has achieved big five game status, and tourism has increased.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Elephant hunting in Kenya</span>

Elephant hunting, which used to be an accepted activity in Kenya, was banned in 1973, as was the ivory trade. Poaching continues, as there is still international demand for elephant tusks. Kenya pioneered the destruction of ivory as a way to combat this black market. Elephant poaching continues to pose a threat to the population.

The Communal Areas Management Programme for Indigenous Resources (CAMPFIRE) is a Zimbabwean community-based natural resource management program. It is one of the first programs to consider wildlife as renewable natural resources, while addressing the allocation of its ownership to indigenous peoples in and around conservation protected areas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">SanWild Wildlife Sanctuary</span>

The SanWild Wildlife Sanctuary is a 5,000 ha (50 km2) wildlife rehabilitation center and reserve in South Africa's Limpopo Province, located a few kilometers south of Leydsdorp, and near the western boundary of the Kruger National Park.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rhinoceros poaching in Southern Africa</span>

Rhinoceros poaching in southern Africa is the illegal act of slaughtering rhinoceros in the southern African countries of Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe and South Africa, where most of Africa's rhinos live. The most common reason for rhino poaching is to meet the high demand for their horns in Asian countries, where the horn is predominantly used in Traditional Chinese Medicine but is increasingly being used as a symbol of wealth and prosperity. In previous generations, the most common rhino poaching activity was hunting for recreational purposes. Because of excessive poaching, rhino populations have decline rapidly since the 1970s, leaving some species critically endangered and facing extinction.

Hemmersbach Rhino Force is a direct action conservation organization acting with a focus on the African rhinos. Rhino Force's main activities consist of anti-poaching rangers in the Greater Kruger National Park, a biobank called Hemmersbach Rhino Force Cryovault to preserve rhino genes and the Black Rhino Reintroduction to bring back rhinos to the Mid Zambezi Valley in Zimbabwe.

Olivia Nalos Opre is a conservation enthusiast and 2003 Mrs. Nebraska and Mrs. America contestant who lives in Montana.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Cousins, Jenny A.; Sadler, Jon P.; Evans, James (2010). "The Challenge of Regulating Private Wildlife Ranches for Conservation in South Africa". Ecology and Society. 15 (2). doi: 10.5751/es-03349-150228 . hdl: 10535/6027 . ISSN   1708-3087.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Mafika (2005-07-05). "'Green hunting' the Big Five". Brand South Africa. Archived from the original on 2021-11-14. Retrieved 2019-04-10.
  3. ↑ "Kruger Park Times - The green alternative to hunting - Online News Publication..."
  4. ↑ "La Biodiversité menacée : quelles solutions pour demain ?". Programmes ARTE. 11 April 2016.
  5. ↑ "In Africa, Hunters Pay to Tranquilize Game for Research". National Geographic. Archived from the original on June 18, 2003.
  6. 1 2 3 "Rhino Green Hunt". National Geographic. Archived from the original on 2017-10-04. Retrieved 2016-04-15.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 Macdonald, David (2009). Key Topics in Conservation Biology. John Wiley & Sons. ISBN   9781444309065. OCLC   437111682.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Greyling, M.D. (2002). "GREEN HUNTING AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO LETHAL HUNTING" (PDF). Save The Elephants.
  9. 1 2 3 Muposhi, Victor K.; Gandiwa, Edson; Bartels, Paul; Makuza, Stanley M. (2016-12-28). "Trophy Hunting, Conservation, and Rural Development in Zimbabwe: Issues, Options, and Implications". International Journal of Biodiversity. 2016: 1–16. doi: 10.1155/2016/8763980 . ISSN   2314-4149.
  10. 1 2 3 4 speakupforthevoiceless (2014-06-26). "Green Hunting – Good or Bad?". Speak Up For The Voiceless - International Animal Rescue Foundation - Environmental News and Media. Retrieved 2019-04-08.
  11. 1 2 3 4 Boroughs, Don (1999). "Hunters shoot but dont kill". News and World Report.
  12. 1 2 Stalmans, M, Attwell, B & Estes, L. 2003. Hunting in the Associated Private Nature Reserves. Environmental Impact Assessment Process. Final Scoping Report to the Department of Finance and economic Development (Limpopo Provincial Government). 100 pp.
  13. 1 2 Child, Brian (2012-05-04). Evolution and Innovation in Wildlife Conservation. doi:10.4324/9781849771283. ISBN   9781849771283.
  14. ↑ "Kruger Park Times | New National Rules For Hunting Industry And Protected Species | Online News Publ". www.krugerpark.co.za. Retrieved 2019-04-10.
  15. 1 2 3 4 5 "Green Hunting". NSPCA Cares about all Animals. Archived from the original on 2017-02-18. Retrieved 2019-03-27.
  16. ↑ Bothma, J. du P.; Du Toit, J. G., eds. (2016). Game ranch management. Van Schaik Publishers. ISBN   9780627033476. OCLC   952205879.
  17. ↑ "Safari Club Interview With Jaguar Expert Rocky McBride | Safari Club". www.safariclub.org. Archived from the original on 2019-04-11. Retrieved 2019-04-11.
  18. 1 2 "Will Big Game Hunters Trade Bullets for Tranquilizer Darts?". National Geographic News. 2015-05-17. Archived from the original on May 21, 2015. Retrieved 2019-04-10.
  19. 1 2 Elkan, Paul (1998). "CHEMICAL IMMOBILIZATION OF AFRICAN ELEPHANTIN LOWLAND FOREST, SOUTHWESTERN CAMEROON" (PDF). Pachyderm. 25: 5. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-08-09. Retrieved 2019-04-11– via Wildlife Conservation Society.
  20. ↑ "Bungled conservation effort kills South African rhino". Reuters. 2012-02-09. Retrieved 2019-04-09.
  21. ↑ "Kill and let live". New Scientist. 193 (2585): 3. January 2007. doi:10.1016/S0262-4079(07)60001-3.
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