South Africa’s opposition to trophy hunting and canned lion hunting has grown.
This is the case, according to an Ipsos poll conducted for the global animal protection organisation Humane Society International.
Despite this contribution, there is a growing global movement against trophy hunting. The British government banned the importation of hunting trophies in December 2021.
The government’s consideration of changing South Africa’s hunting policy coincides with growing opposition to these types of hunting.
The draught policy position on elephant, lion, leopard, and rhinoceros conservation and ecologically sustainable use was released in November 2021.
This paper proposed an immediate halt to all canned hunting practises involving lions and rhinoceroses, as well as the establishment of a procedure for the closure of lion facilities.
However, the paper does not advocate for a ban on trophy hunting. Rather, it recommends that South Africa rebrand itself as “the preferred destination for legal, humane, regulated, and responsible hunting of the five big five [lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant, and African buffalo] species.”
Government policy is evolving at the same time as public opposition to trophy hunting is growing.
The youth are against it.
The 2022 Ipsos survey revealed a continuation of the anti-trophy and canned lion hunting trend that began with the 2018 survey. Back then, 56% of people were against trophy hunting, while 60% were against canned lion hunting.
According to the most recent survey, opposition to these types of hunting was universal, regardless of gender, income, or race.
Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn to get the latest updates from Cape Town Tribune
