The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
released a briefing paper this month that serves to educate European decision
makers and the public on the benefits of trophy hunting. The Dallas Safari Club
(DSC) has commended the IUCN for their brief on trophy hunting and stated:
DSC applauds the International Union for Conservation of
Nature (IUCN) on a report that educates European decision makers and the public
on the benefits of trophy hunting.
An IUCN briefing published this month discusses in great
detail how legal, well-regulated trophy hunting can and does generate
critically needed incentives and revenue in order for government, private and
community landowners to maintain and restore wildlife as a land use and to
carry out conservation actions, including much-needed anti-poaching
interventions.
Recently, a few cases of poorly regulated and poorly
conducted hunts have brought about increased concern for trophy hunting.
Confusion and misinformation have led to knee-jerk reactions and, in some
cases, blanket bans on hunting and transportation of hunting trophies.
A group of members of the European Parliament have called
for the signing of a declaration to ban imports of trophies. IUCN urges that
their findings be incorporated into any discussions calling for partial or full
bans on trophy importations. IUCN’s findings show the widespread benefits
resulting from trophy hunting and provide scientific research as a basis for
policy decisions.
“As a member of IUCN since 2015, DSC is pleased to see
the IUCN’s findings align with our mission to better inform those in charge of
making decisions and implementing policies that can forever affect our natural
resources,” said DSC Executive Director Ben Carter. “We support science-based
decision making − not emotion-based − and the IUCN’s findings demonstrate how
trophy hunting not only improves wildlife populations and habitat but also the
surrounding communities.”
