Hi all;

Have been dealing with specific animal issues over the last few days, but here now there is some good news for you all to read about.  I will put each story on as an individual post in order that you can read and copy link if you wish.

6 July 2022

Press Release

In a joint position paper, 136 conservation and animal protection organisations from all around the world, including 45 NGOs from African countries, speak out against trophy hunting and urge policy-makers to ban imports.

Dr Mona Schweizer of Pro Wildlife said: “Trophy hunting stands out among the worst forms of wildlife exploitation and is neither ethical nor sustainable. In the face of the man-made global biodiversity crisis, it is inacceptable that exploitation of wildlife simply for acquiring a hunting trophy is still permitted and that trophies can still be legally imported. It is high time that governments end this detrimental practice.” 

Trophy hunting can adversely affect the survival of species Between 2014 and 2018 almost 125,000 trophies of CITES protected species were imported globally, with the US and the EU featuring as the biggest importers.

and undermine conservation efforts. Trophy hunters often target rare and imperilled species or animals with impressive physical traits and remove individuals who are essential for reproduction and stabilising social groups. By targeting such animals, trophy hunters directly and indirectly contribute to population declines, disrupted social structure, and reduced resilience. The industry drives demand for parts and products of endangered species and incentivises and prioritises their killing through award schemes and other promotions.

Furthermore, shooting animals of protected and endangered species is often a privilege of foreign hunters, while access to wildlife and land is often restricted for locals. This disenfranchisement of local communities coupled with the social destabilising effects of trophy hunting on many species can fuel human-animal conflict rather than mitigate it. Such situations are further exacerbated by the fact that the trophy hunting industry fails to deliver meaningful economic benefits to local communities, contrary to what is claimed by the pro trophy hunting narrative. In fact, as most hunts are conducted on private land and the hunting sector is plagued with corruption, trophy hunting revenues usually end up in the pockets of hunting operators, private farm owners and local elites.   

Dr Mark Jones, Head of Policy at the Born Free Foundation commented, “Trophy hunting causes immense animal suffering while doing little or nothing for wildlife conservation or local communities. Indeed, in many cases trophy hunters remove key individual animals from fragile populations, damaging their social and genetic integrity. It’s time to bring trophy hunting to a permanent end, while seeking alternative, more effective and humane ways of resourcing wildlife protection and local community development.”

In addition to hampering conservation efforts and minimal economic benefits, the practice of trophy hunting also raises ethical and animal welfare concerns. Shooting animals for fun simply to obtain a trophy as a status symbol is ethically unjustifiable, disregards their intrinsic value by reducing them to commodities and puts a ‘price tag’ on death reflecting the amount foreign hunters are willing to pay for the kill. Moreover, trophy hunters frequently employ and incentivise hunting methods that increase the suffering of the animal, such as the use of bows and arrows, muzzle loaders, handguns or dogs chasing animals for hours to exhaustion.

“Economic benefit – which is minimal at best in the trophy hunting industry – is no excuse to allow the inhumane killing of animals for entertainment or to make up for the often irreversible biological and ecological damages it causes to protected species when there are alternative, more lucrative revenue streams available for development and conservation efforts,” said Dr Joanna Swabe, senior director of public affairs at Humane Society International/Europe. “As the largest importers of hunting trophies in the world, the US and EU have a moral obligation to stop contributing to this harmful industry through hunting trophy imports and to institute policies that support ethical forms of foreign aid, tourism and industry”, added Swabe.

In many countries around the world, citizens oppose trophy hunting and the import of hunting trophies. Surveys in the EU, Switzerland and the U.S. confirm that between 75 and 96 percent of respondents oppose trophy hunting and support import bans for trophies. In South Africa, the major African exporter of hunting trophies of protected species, a majority of 64 percent disapproves of trophy hunting.

With the unethical practice of trophy hunting harming species conservation and the economy for decades, a policy shift is long overdue. Together, with a united voice of 136 NGOs from all around the world, we call on governments to take responsibility towards the protection of species and biodiversity, and to ban the import of hunting trophies.

Reineke Hameleers – Eurogroup.

Note

Joint position on trophy hunting

Press contacts 

Agnese Marcon, Communications Manager, Eurogroup for Animals 

Dr Mona Schweizer, Pro Wildlife

Dr Mark Jones, Head of Policy, Born Free Foundation 

Adeline Fischer, Senior Communications Manager Europe, Humane Society International/Europe

 
Eurogroup for Animals represents over eighty animal protection organisations across the EU, UK, Switzerland, Serbia, Norway, and Australia. Since its foundation in 1980, the organisation has succeeded in encouraging the EU to adopt higher legal standards for animal protection. Eurogroup of Animals reflects public opinion through its members and has both the scientific and technical expertise to provide authoritative advice on issues relating to animal protection. Eurogroup for Animals is a founding member of the World Federation for Animals which unites the animal protection movement at the global level. 

Pro Wildlife is a non-profit organisation that works internationally to protect wildlife and its habitats with the aim to preserve biodiversity and to save animals. Thus, the survival of species in their habitat, but also the protection of the individual animal is of key importance. Pro Wildlife advocates for better laws and effective protection measures for wildlife. In various countries, the organisation supports aid projects for animals in need, helps to preserve habitats and works to ensure coexistence between people and wildlife.

Born Free is a UK-based international wildlife protection charity. We promote compassionate conservation to enhance the survival of threatened species in the wild and protect natural habitats while respecting the needs and safeguarding the welfare of individual animals. As a leading wildlife charity, we oppose the exploitation of wild animals in captivity and campaign to keep them where they belong – in the wild.

Advancing the welfare of animals in more than 50 countries, Humane Society International works around the globe to promote the human-animal bond, rescue and protect dogs and cats, improve farm animal welfare, protect wildlife, promote animal-free testing and research, respond to natural disasters and confront cruelty to animals in all its forms.

Joint position on trophy hunting

Joint position trophy hunting July 20221.67 MB

Regards Mark

Trophy hunter, 55, who killed lions & elephants found shot dead in his truck in ‘cold blood’ execution-style murder | The Sun

Trophy hunter who killed lions and elephants shot dead by robbers who ambushed him in South Africa | Daily Mail Online

Wildlife trophy hunter killed in ‘execution-style’ murder after being gunned down next to car (msn.com)

Reacting to the news, one social media user wrote: “Hunter hunted. There is party in animal heaven.

Read more – Trophy Hunter Killed – Bing News

Regards Mark

Farmgate: animal rights body takes swipe at Ramaphosa (msn.com)

Cape Town – Anyone involved in trophy hunting has some level of moral disconnect, so the fact that President Cyril Ramaphosa was potentially involved in other crimes was not surprising.

This is the view of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), a non-profit animal rights organisation, in reaction to criminal investigations into Ramaphosa after millions of US dollars “concealed” in furniture on his Phala Phala farm in Limpopo were stolen – allegedly by a gang of Namibian nationals with the assistance of his domestic worker.

Ramaphosa is being investigated for alleged money laundering, defeating the ends of justice and kidnapping the suspects who were allegedly interrogated and breaching the Prevention of Organised Crime Act, no 121 of 1998 (“Poca”) and the Prevention of Corrupt Activities Act No12 of 2004 (“The Corruption Act”).

Ramaphosa has only confirmed that the matter was reported to the head of his security, and not the police.

It remains unclear whether Sars and the SA Reserve Bank have launched their investigations in relation to the breaching of the country’s laws around foreign currency.

In 2020, the same year of the theft of the money, PETA conducted an undercover investigation which revealed Ramaphosa’s alleged hidden connections and investments in the trophy hunting industry, after a hunting Safari owner was caught on video stating that the president had bought a 50% stake in their company.

In 2020, the same year of the theft of the money, PETA conducted an undercover investigation which revealed Ramaphosa’s alleged hidden connections and investments in the trophy hunting industry, after a hunting Safari owner was caught on video stating that the president had bought a 50% stake in their company.

“Footage reveals that Ramaphosa is quietly developing and expanding a trophy hunting property called Diepdrift — stocking it with animals from his own wildlife breeding operation, Phala Phala — and that he owns a 50% stake in Tsala Hunting Safaris. In other words, far from ‘conserving’ wildlife, wild animals are bred specifically to be killed for trophies.

PETA recorded conversations in which Ramaphosa’s managers admitted that he shares equally in the profits from all hunts conducted through Tsal and spoke of the importance of concealing his involvement,” the organisation said at the time.

“One person identified as the manager was quoted saying: ‘We try to keep the president’s name out of the hunting thing because … of all the greenies …. So he wanna spare himself this, how can I say, bad publicity and all of that.”

Following the PETA investigation, Ramaphosa distanced himself from the allegations last January, saying they were “unsubstantiated”.

In a statement he said: “Contrary to PETA’s assertions, neither Phala Phala nor I have a stake in the trophy hunting industry. It is furthermore also patently false that Phala Phala breeds game for the purpose of being sold to trophy hunters. Phala Phala is well known and recognised for its wildlife breeding and management practices that comply with the best ethical and lawful practice in the sector; as well as for its contribution to the racial transformation of the sector.”

PETA Asia Senior Vice-President Jason Baker yesterday told the Cape Times they were not surprised at recent developments concerning possible illegal activity involving Ramaphosa.

“We’re glad to see an investigation into the President’s animal breeding business, however we hope that authorities will also investigate the animal cruelty aspect of this. Anyone involved in trophy hunting has some level of moral disconnect, so the fact that the President is potentially involved in other crimes is not surprising,” said Baker.

“Animals shot by trophy hunters often endure a prolonged and painful death — simply so that hunters can chop off their heads and other body parts. The only solution to this is an end to trophy hunting, and we hope South African authorities will end this industry for good.”

“Animals shot by trophy hunters often endure a prolonged and painful death — simply so that hunters can chop off their heads and other body parts. The only solution to this is an end to trophy hunting, and we hope South African authorities will end this industry for good.”

Approached for comment on Wednesday, Ramaphosa’s spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said they had nothing to add.

Meanwhile Ramaphosa is reportedly set co-chair the third session of the Namibia-South Africa Bi-National Commission (BNC) in Windhoek from June 28 to July 1, alongside his Namibian counterpart Hage Geingob.

Cape Times

Regards Mark

Comments from supporter Jack – thanks Jack:

Hunting in South Africa is out of control. The corruption at all levels of government. The so called “Farmers” 99% white apartheid people are at the core of Trophy hunting and poaching. The Private Rhino Owners Association is part of the Illegal Rhino horn trade. I lived in South Africa and witnessed this going on without any consequences.

All nonhuman must be treated as sentient beings.

Agreed !

It is deeply sickening.

The way brown bears have been treated across the planet – over thousands of years – is one of the most damning examples of humanity’s disdain for the natural world.

Across the globe – and especially across Europe – their homes have been carved to pieces and their populations culled en masse. They’ve been baited, beaten and slammed into cages to spend their lives tortured and performing for grim human amusement.

A simple map of Europe paints the picture in gory detail. In the UK, Germany, Denmark, Portugal, Belgium, Ireland there is not a single surviving wild bear. Not one.

And every casualty behind each of those bloody extinctions was a creature who was truly, undeniably marvellous.

Brown bears are remarkably intelligent – cubs spend years with their mothers learning everything from fishing to finding the plant foods available in each season. They possess one of the most complex brains relative to their size and have more muscle than they know what to do with – allowing them to thrive in forests or steppes or tundra.

But that muscle was futile against human traps, guns and persecution. Almost every bear that wasn’t hidden in deep forests is now dead. The final few in Europe are clinging on in shrinking scraps of habitat and – without help – their chances of surviving this onslaught look slim.

If we want a natural world with brown bears – real bears free from metal cages – then we must help save them. We must not lose them from Europe.

Around a third are hidden away in Romania’s forests, and it’s here that turning their fate around is feasible. Despite centuries of devastation, we now have a realistic hope, with realistic plans. Local people are on board with our project, and we’ve got the expertise to protect the bears.

We just need to secure the forest.

And – through your donations today – we could help do that. We want to help purchase vital land and put up strategic fences to keep the forest and the people who live by it safe. That way we can protect these bears, and give them the safety they’ve needed for generations.

Humanity is irrefutably the villain of this centuries-old tragedy but – with the help of local communities and people like you – we have one last chance to change that, and be the heroes who come through at the end.

Please help save brown bears. If everyone reading this donates just £3, you could help end centuries of suffering and keep bears free and thriving in the wild. Thank you.

Donation link – Please donate and help protect our planet’s species (fauna-flora.org)