Tanzania's trophy hunting industry under scrutiny

Dar es Salaam.  The multi-million dollar business of trophy hunting in Tanzania is facing its fiercest public scrutiny yet, following a viral video showing American hunters posing with a dead crocodile.

 This incident has reignited the fiery debate about the ethics, conservation impact, and sustainability of this controversial practice.

The shocking footage, shared by Josh and Sarah Bowmar on social media, depicted a disturbing scene of a slain crocodile being dragged by a Land Cruiser before being hoisted for a trophy photo.

The brutal display sparked widespread outrage and calls for a reevaluation of the government's role in promoting recreational hunting of endangered wildlife.

While Tanzania Wildlife Management Authority (TAWA) confirmed issuing a permit for Bowmar's hunt and emphasized the crocodile met size requirements, the incident reignited concerns about potential threats to the country's biodiversity and the senselessness of such brutality.

According to Tawa, on August 12, 2023 issued permit No. MP0001792 to hunt various wild animals from August 12 to September 6, 2023.

"The permit was given to a foreigner named Joshua Todd Bowmar, an American citizen through Tanzania Safari and Hunting (2003) Ltd to hunt in Lake Rukwa GR," the statement reads in part.

The statement further added: The crocodile that was hunted was 16.2 feet (493.8 centimetres) long, which meets the criteria according to the Rules that require a hunter to hunt a crocodile with a length of at least 300 centimetres.

Lucrative industry, but at what cost?

Tanzania's trophy hunting industry has seen a significant boom in recent years, generating Sh63.03 billion in 2022 alone.

Major stakeholders in trophy hunting, professional hunters, contribute about 90 percent of the funds used by Tawa for wildlife conservation, as published reports indicate.

Hunting licences, particularly for elephants and lions, come with hefty fees, with $60,000 per year for a block hunting licence and additional fees of $15,000 for hunting an elephant and $12,000 for a lion.

However, in 2018, Tanzania lifted a ban on hunting that had been imposed in October 2015 following abuse and misuse of hunting permits.

The government said the ban on resident hunting was aimed at controlling wanton killing of wildlife and poaching by holders of resident hunting permits.

However, the ethical concerns surrounding this practice cannot be ignored. Wildlife experts like Dr. Suphian Mabula highlight the need for caution, emphasizing the potential risks to the country's long-term development prospects if wildlife conservation is jeopardized for short-term economic gains.

But times are changing quite fast

Interestingly, data reveals a fascinating shift within the tourist hunting market. While overall visitor numbers increased, the number of actual trophy hunters remains low, with photography tourism emerging as the dominant trend.

In 2022, only 687 visitors engaged in trophy hunting, while 139,967 came for photography, raising questions about the long-term viability and ethical considerations of trophy hunting.

TAWA, the main regulatory body, oversees hunting activities in 38 designated areas, with the Selous Game Reserve as the largest. However, the claim of trophy hunting contributing significantly to conservation efforts remains a contentious issue.

 Experts like Prof Mussa Tabu argue that attaching monetary value to endangered species does not justify the activity, and alternative tourism avenues should be explored.

On the other hand, Animal rights activists like Dr Eveline Mwasomola point to studies showing declines in wildlife populations where trophy hunting occurs, further supporting the need for alternative conservation strategies.

There is growing call for a need for a balanced approach at all fronts.

The recent controversy has pushed the future of trophy hunting in Tanzania to the forefront of public discourse.

With voices echoing on both sides, the need for a balanced approach that considers economic gains, ethical concerns, and long-term conservation impact is crucial.

As Dr Mwasomola aptly says the conversation surrounding the recent crocodile killing highlights the need for a more sustainable and compassionate approach to wildlife management.

“The controversy surrounding the recent crocodile killing has ignited a broader conversation about the future of trophy hunting in the country and the need for a more sustainable and compassionate approach to wildlife management,” she reminded.