Just saw this news yesterday: The Namibian MET has placed a moratorium on issuing CITES Export Permits for the remainder of 2009 on Leopard. Apparently, the Export Quota assigned to Namibia (250 Leopard per year) has been reached, which is the reason for this course of action.
It seems this problem stems from the quota being exceeded for 2008 and the excess was rolled-over into this year. Because of this, the actual number of permits issued for 2009 was less than 250. You can still hunt Leopard there this year but, unless your outfitter/PH had already applied for a permit, you won't be able to export the trophy until next year at the earliest. (Of course this only applies to Trophy Leopard, not PAC hunts.)
Hope a trend isn't developing here as I was very close to booking a Leopard hunt in Namibia for 2010. Now I am a little less enthusiastic.
If anyone here has any further info., it would be great to hear.
It seems this problem stems from the quota being exceeded for 2008 and the excess was rolled-over into this year. Because of this, the actual number of permits issued for 2009 was less than 250. You can still hunt Leopard there this year but, unless your outfitter/PH had already applied for a permit, you won't be able to export the trophy until next year at the earliest. (Of course this only applies to Trophy Leopard, not PAC hunts.)
Hope a trend isn't developing here as I was very close to booking a Leopard hunt in Namibia for 2010. Now I am a little less enthusiastic.
If anyone here has any further info., it would be great to hear.