Source: Informanté
Unethical elephant hunt to be investigated
Niel Terblanche
THE Ministry of Environment and Tourism has commissioned a high level investigation into the unethical actions of well known professional hunter operating in Namibia.
A video of the incident where the professional hunter and foreign trophy hunter shoots at a herd of elephants as they are busy crossing marshes around the perennial rivers of the far north eastern parts of Namibia went viral on social media platforms across the world. The incident and actions of the specific professional hunter caused incalculable damage to Namibia’s reputation as a one of the last places on earth where ethical hunting is still practiced.
According to an official statement issued by the chief public relations officer of the Ministry of Environment and Tourism, Mr. Romeo Muyanda the incident has been brought to the attention of the ministry.
“The Ministry of Environment and Tourism is disturbed with this type of conduct seen in the video clip. This is unethical hunting which is against the principles of conservation hunting in the Republic of Namibia. We condemn this barbaric and unprofessional way of hunting which the ministry definitely do not want to be associated with.”
Muyanda said Namibia is committed to the sustainable use of wildlife resources, as is indeed provided for in the Namibian Constitution.
“Sport or trophy hunting is the result of good conservation and good wildlife management, and it is in our collective interest to ensure that we use wildlife sustainably. Sport or trophy hunting is part of what we refer to as ‘conservation hunting’. Conservation hunting lends itself to being a sustainable way of using wildlife since this form of hunting is aimed at a small portion of a specific animal population and it typically targets surplus adult animals, usually the older males of a specific species.”
Conservation in Namibia is regulated by law. Regulations relating to Nature Conservation provides for different categories of trophy hunting guides, namely hunting guides, master hunting guides, professional hunters and professional hunters for big game. While hunting guides and master hunting guides are restricted to hunting farms, the higher categories of professional hunter and professional hunter for big game are allowed to hunt anywhere in Namibia through concessions or in conservancies. All hunting operators are also registered with the Ministry of Environment and Tourism to practice in the country as well as with the Namibia Tourism Board, in terms of the Namibia Tourism Board Act of 2000.
“With the disturbing hunting incident portrayed in the video, the Ministry of Environment and Tourism has commissioned an investigation. The professional hunter in the video has been identified and is known to us and further investigation continues. We have thus far also established where the incident occurred. Depending on the outcome of the investigation, the Director: Wildlife and National Parks, may have to withdraw the registration of the specific professional hunter in line with Regulation 118 (Ord. 4 of 1975) as amended and as such, the specific professional hunter will not be allowed to practice the hunting profession in the Republic of Namibia ever again.”
Muyanda said Namibia’s conservation hunting is reputable industry that contributes to conservation in the country. It further contributes to the social and economic empowerment of the Namibian people particularly those in rural areas who live with the wildlife on a daily basis. This makes the industry significant and therefore any actions that seek to destroy its reputation should be rooted out.
“I want to assure the Namibian people and the international community that this matter is being taken seriously and action will be taken accordingly.”
The video also shows the unethical hunters fleeing for their lives to avoid being trampled as the herd of elephants suddenly ran straight at them to protect the animal that was shot.
Unethical elephant hunt to be investigated
Niel Terblanche
THE Ministry of Environment and Tourism has commissioned a high level investigation into the unethical actions of well known professional hunter operating in Namibia.
A video of the incident where the professional hunter and foreign trophy hunter shoots at a herd of elephants as they are busy crossing marshes around the perennial rivers of the far north eastern parts of Namibia went viral on social media platforms across the world. The incident and actions of the specific professional hunter caused incalculable damage to Namibia’s reputation as a one of the last places on earth where ethical hunting is still practiced.
According to an official statement issued by the chief public relations officer of the Ministry of Environment and Tourism, Mr. Romeo Muyanda the incident has been brought to the attention of the ministry.
“The Ministry of Environment and Tourism is disturbed with this type of conduct seen in the video clip. This is unethical hunting which is against the principles of conservation hunting in the Republic of Namibia. We condemn this barbaric and unprofessional way of hunting which the ministry definitely do not want to be associated with.”
Muyanda said Namibia is committed to the sustainable use of wildlife resources, as is indeed provided for in the Namibian Constitution.
“Sport or trophy hunting is the result of good conservation and good wildlife management, and it is in our collective interest to ensure that we use wildlife sustainably. Sport or trophy hunting is part of what we refer to as ‘conservation hunting’. Conservation hunting lends itself to being a sustainable way of using wildlife since this form of hunting is aimed at a small portion of a specific animal population and it typically targets surplus adult animals, usually the older males of a specific species.”
Conservation in Namibia is regulated by law. Regulations relating to Nature Conservation provides for different categories of trophy hunting guides, namely hunting guides, master hunting guides, professional hunters and professional hunters for big game. While hunting guides and master hunting guides are restricted to hunting farms, the higher categories of professional hunter and professional hunter for big game are allowed to hunt anywhere in Namibia through concessions or in conservancies. All hunting operators are also registered with the Ministry of Environment and Tourism to practice in the country as well as with the Namibia Tourism Board, in terms of the Namibia Tourism Board Act of 2000.
“With the disturbing hunting incident portrayed in the video, the Ministry of Environment and Tourism has commissioned an investigation. The professional hunter in the video has been identified and is known to us and further investigation continues. We have thus far also established where the incident occurred. Depending on the outcome of the investigation, the Director: Wildlife and National Parks, may have to withdraw the registration of the specific professional hunter in line with Regulation 118 (Ord. 4 of 1975) as amended and as such, the specific professional hunter will not be allowed to practice the hunting profession in the Republic of Namibia ever again.”
Muyanda said Namibia’s conservation hunting is reputable industry that contributes to conservation in the country. It further contributes to the social and economic empowerment of the Namibian people particularly those in rural areas who live with the wildlife on a daily basis. This makes the industry significant and therefore any actions that seek to destroy its reputation should be rooted out.
“I want to assure the Namibian people and the international community that this matter is being taken seriously and action will be taken accordingly.”
The video also shows the unethical hunters fleeing for their lives to avoid being trampled as the herd of elephants suddenly ran straight at them to protect the animal that was shot.
