The chapter explores the controversial topic of trophy hunting within conservation strategies, discussing its potential benefits in providing economic incentives for wildlife preservation but also raising concerns about selective hunting and revenue distribution. Examples from Pakistan and Namibia illustrate successful trophy hunting models with community involvement, while emphasizing the need for careful regulation and consideration of local impacts. The emotional and ethical complexities of trophy hunting, along with challenges relating to racism and global ownership sentiments in wildlife conservation efforts, are also addressed in the discussion.
A series of super tusker elephant killings has sparked a bitter international battle over trophy hunting and its controversial, often-counterintuitive role in conservation. Biodiversity reporter Phoebe Weston speaks to Amy Dickman, professor of wildlife conservation at the University of Oxford, about why this debate has become so divisive, and the complexities of allowing killing in conservation. Help support our independent journalism at
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