The MeatEater Podcast Ep. 730: Dispatches from Africa - So You Wanna Be A Professional Hunter?
8 snips
Jul 10, 2025 In this engaging discussion with George Dodds, an Apprentice Professional Hunter from a fifth-generation ranching family in Kenya, listeners explore the vibrant wildlife and cultural heritage of Africa. George shares his experiences growing up surrounded by stunning landscapes, ginormous termite mounds, and the notorious challenges posed by tsetse flies. He explains the intricacies of becoming a professional hunter, the unique relationship between elephants and bees, and even shares culinary tales of dining on Cape Buffalo, making for an entertaining and educational glimpse into African hunting traditions.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Termite Mounds Shape Ecosystem
- Termite mounds in East African grasslands create unique ecosystems called termitalia.
- These mounds affect biodiversity by supporting moisture-loving trees surrounded by grassland.
Bees as Elephant Deterrents
- Elephants hate bees, using their sound as a natural deterrent on farms.
- Small-scale farmers use beehives to protect crops from elephant damage.
Kenya's Hunting Ban for Conservation
- Kenya banned big game hunting in 1977 as a conservation effort.
- Hunting ban still remains and is not expected to lift soon.