Until a person has been to Africa, when a drought has occurred, they cannot understand the amount of damage to the habitat that elephant do. I was at a 65 square mile reserve in the Eastern Cape which had 21 elephant and the habitat had been decimated. The animals were being fed hay to keep them alive. The PH said that the property could support about 6 elephant, and they needed to be culled. However, as we know doing that is a difficult task. I want to know how many of the people who are objecting to the ban being lifted have actually been to Africa and seen what is going on?
When I visited Kruger, the elephant were in the process of doing the same thing. Until I went to Africa, visit/hunt areas that elephant populations, I didn't realize the damage they do.
The balance of nature needs to be preserved. If hunting isn't allowed, the communities don't get the meat from the animals, any money from the hunts, and poachers will kill the animals for the ivory. Hunting is part of conservation. Let's be honest, if the hunter can't bring back a mount, then the number of hunters will decrease to almost nothing.
I don't want to see an unlimited number of elephant or lion permits issued, but responsible hunting will help preserve the habitat and help to curb poaching.