Trophy-hunting of large predators has been well-nigh unthinkable for decades. But now it鈥檚 not only thinkable, it鈥檚 back on the agenda 鈥� and raising some vexing questions for conservationists.
In Papua New Guinea, where salt-water crocodiles have eaten several people, the government decided in December to allow an Australian guide to lead commercial safaris to shoot the killer crocs. The hunters pay up to $180,000 for the privilege, enriching the guide and, possibly, locals far more than if the government carried out the cull.
Meanwhile, burgeoning grizzly bear populations around Yellowstone National Park in the north-western US have led the Fish and Wildlife Service to begin hearings last week on removing the animal from the endangered species list. If that happens, some states, notably Wyoming, are likely to permit hunting. Ironically, the neighbouring province of Alberta, Canada, which already allows hunters to take a small number of grizzlies each year, is considering banning hunting because of declining bear numbers.
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And in Johannesburg, South Africa, last week a workshop on lion conservation organised by the World Conservation Union and the Wildlife Conservation Society endorsed hunting as part of a comprehensive, continent-wide lion-management plan. Even Kenya, where sport hunting has been banned since 1977, is reviewing its policy on big-game hunting.
