Number of International Hunters Drops in Ethiopia

Number of International Hunters Drops in Ethiopia
by Rolf D. Baldus

Ethiopia is known for its small but interesting and also highly priced hunting industry. The hunting season runs from July to June, which is possible, as the rainy seasons differ in the different parts of the country. A number of species or subspecies can only be hunted in Ethiopia, including some true rarities such as the Beisa Oryx, the Northern Gerenuk and Soemmeringç—´ Gazelle.

Since the reopening of hunting in 1997, there have never been more than 53 hunters visiting the country per year. Two years ago the Ethiopian Wildlife Conservation Authority raised the license prices two-fold, and for its flagship species, the Mountain Nyala, threefold (from 5,000 to 15,000 USD). In addition some new fees were introduced, among them a Conservation Fee of 100 USD per hunting day.

In the last season, only 39 hunters have visited Ethiopia, which is a drop of around 25 percent over the pre-price-increase seasons. In any other industry this would be regarded as disastrous, but in this particular case, the price increases have ensured that the direct income from hunting remains the same. Indirect income, such as air charters, the general tourism-spend of hunters, and hotel fees all fell, but this does not appear in the hunting statistics.

Experts believe that there is room for a considerable increase in sustainable trophy hunting, but the present rigid and over-administrated system prevents it.

Approximately 400 to 500 animals are harvested annually in Ethiopia by visiting hunters; a number that is much smaller than in other African countries. In addition 150 game animals are harvested by legal resident hunters. When compared to the very large illegal take-off, the official hunting harvest is insignificant. The potential income that trophy hunting could generate for conservation and local livelihoods is still to be fully exploited.

That set of fees will help keep the group of hunters small. I doubt they will repeal the increase.

A country with a limited selection of game animals...

Usually when prices are raised the amount of money taken in remains the same for trophy fees...

Money generated with the side items will continue to go down as the hunter base is reduced by price increases...