Cheetah Hunting - Did You Know?/strong> that trophy hunting of cheetah is a significant conservation tool? A programmatic permit policy which recognizes controlled trophy hunting as a conservation tool for the Namibian cheetah is long overdue The IUCN Cat Specialist Group's Cat Action Plan recognized that finding incentives for landowners to conserve populations of big cats outside protected areas is one of the most important challenges facing the conservation community. If trophy hunting can be demonstrated to be biologically sustainable and the program is well managed to enhance population conservation, then it is deserving of support as a conservation tool. (Kristin Nowell, IUCN Cat Specialist Group) that by providing strong economic reasons for the conservation of wildlife species and natural habitats, trophy hunting is the primary justification for setting aside over half of the land which is currently used for wildlife conservation and utilization in Africa. It is irresponsible to oppose hunting without suggesting alternative mechanisms that are at least as effective in increasing the economic value of wildlife. (IUCN Occasional Paper No. 21, p. 19) that trophy hunting operators and safari hunting organizations collectively make an enormous contribution to wildlife conservation in many parts of Africa, e.g., they are in the front line of the war against poachers throughout much of Central Africa. Without the efforts of these people and organizations, wildlife populations would be in a much worse state than they are. There is no doubt that sustainable trophy hunting, monitored and controlled by well thought out, comprehensive and effectively implemented regulations, will be a prime justification of and vital element in successful long-term conservation of antelope populations in Africa. (IUCN Occasional Paper No. 21, p. 11) that the development of effective, sustainable wildlife conservation in many parts of Africa may depend on programmatic implementation of approaches such as sustainable utilization through carefully regulated trophy and/or meat hunting, community-based wildlife management and/or involvement of the private sector. In Africa's current and foreseeable socioeconomic climate, realization of the potential economic value of wildlife will be essential if conservation is to be widely successful in the long term. This will include consumptive uses such as trophy hunting. The private sector may play an increasingly important role in the conservation of many antelopes, as in several Southern African countries at present (IUCN Occ. Paper No. 21, p. 351)
