Worth More Alive than Dead. Say NO to Trophy Hunting.
As reported in last week’s blog, Amboseli’s last big tuskers, are being targeted by trophy hunters lying in wait in Tanzania.
World Renowned Big Tusker Craig brings millions of tourism dollars a year into the local economy.
Your help is urgently needed. Please sign and share this petition asking President Samia Suluhu Hassan of the United Republic of Tanzania to immediately ban all elephant trophy hunting within the Tanzania range of the Amboseli elephants.
The Amboseli elephants who utilize this cross-border area have flourished in the three decades while the hunting ban was honored, becoming international symbols of successful conservation efforts. These elephants are not only sources of great scientific knowledge and key attractions for the eco-tourism economy, they also represent a unique and irreplaceable natural wildlife heritage for the people of both nations. elephanttrust.org.
Recent news has confirmed the identity of the third bull elephant killed in Tanzania by trophy hunters. It was Gilgil a 35 year old tusker in his prime reproductive years.
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Economic value: The Greater Amboseli Ecosystem contains some of the most economically valuable and best-known elephants on the planet – like Craig – that are a primary attraction for tourists to the Greater Amboseli Ecosystem and a pillar of an industry which generates millions of dollars in revenue every year. The trophy fee to hunt the largest category of elephant in Tanzania is approximately $20,000. The average elephant’s lifetime value from attracting tourists is estimated at $1,607,625 – while the value of a large-tusked individual would be much higher. Killing one of the last remaining giant elephants on Earth for the benefit of one hunting operator and client appears to be a huge waste of revenue opportunity, aside from other important conservation issues discussed here. Africa Geographic
Ethical considerations: The debate about sport-hunting a highly social, long-lived, intelligent animal continues. However, these questions are amplified in this context when the elephants being killed are extremely habituated and trusting due to good protection and frequent interactions with tourists. Africa Geographic
Tanzania’s trophy hunting policies impact human and elephant society for future generations. These animals re IRREPLACEABLE. They must be protected. Please sign the petition urging the TZ government to ban trophy hunting in the Amboseli watershed. Consider donating to Big Life. They are on the ground now protecting these elephants, their habitat and the people who co-exist with them. Donations support the work of those who know best how to work with government, local stakeholders, and conservation efforts.