Re: [KENYABIRDSNET] Hunting and Conservation

If the Passenger pigeon became extinct at a time when weapons technology was not as advanced as it is today, it stands to reason to assume, that if this type of hunting which seemingly appears uncontrolled ( as shown by one individual in the picture), the threat to species survival is great and very real!

Going back fifty years, I hunted some species of big game in East Africa both on control work as a Game Warden and later as a professional hunter. Ethical controlled hunting based on population dynamics is in keeping with conservation techniques and policies of some governments; it is not injurious nor does it pose a threat to species survival.

The global problem is humanity, and earth cannot sustain us anymore. No government appears concerned about the burgeoning human population anywhere I know of. This century is already witnessing various environmental disasters, some induced by climate change and others by humans. Many refuse to believe that we are sitting on a time bomb!

Hi All,

I am not apposed to hunting so long as it is undertaken ethically and in the context of sustainable utilization. I am however not a hunter myself, unless you equate my lists of birds seen in Africa, list of all species I have ringed and list of species photographed as trophies of another kind of "hunting". Keep in mind that hunting is as old as humanity, and probably as old as life has existed on Earth.

In the world there are clearly opinions ranging from anti-hunting to the other extreme of hunting with no limits, and everything in between. With the world divided into different countries with different laws it is doubtful that consensus is possible on a solution regarding hunting (or other issues) that will satisfy everyone completely. As examples: A complete global ban on hunting will not be accepted by the hunters. At the other extreme, hunting without limits (no legislation, permits, seasons etc.) will not be accepted by the conservationists (and by many hunters). The solution is somewhere between these two extremes.

Not all countries have the same laws, for example Kenyan law does not allow hunting were as South African law does. Although I do not know Lebanese law it appears to me that the Lebanese Hunting Club and similar clubs in for example Italy are legal within their respective countries. Labeling people as criminals (or fools or any other derogatory epithet) and their activities as criminal, when this is untrue in the context of their countries' legislation, is confrontational and I expect these people and clubs will respond in a confrontational manner and no benefit will come of such an approach for any of the people involved or for the birds we want conserved.

Keep in mind that these hunters are people, with families, that are not that different from us, they just happen to engage in an activity that causes concern for us about the future existence of the birds they hunt. A solution to this situation will not be gained by confrontation. A solution to this issue of ensuring the future existence (conservation of these birds) will be achieved by a compromise that nether party (anti-hunter or hunters without limits) will be completely satisfied with. However the aim should remain the conservation of these birds by all stakeholders, not who is or is not completely satisfied with the compromises made to achieve this i.e. us conservationists may need to accept some amount of hunting (even although some of us disapprove), and the hunters will need to respect some no hunting areas, hunting seasons, quotas etc.

The aim should remain the conservation of these birds by all stakeholders.

Kind regards

Steven

Dr Steven W. Evans
Ornithologist and Conservation Ecologist

On 2013/11/07 08:00 AM, Mohamed Ismail wrote:

Hi all,

We should re-post this on Facebook and express our indignation and horror at these criminals and their government which allows these criminal activities. I am posting this on my Facebook page right now.

Mo Ismail.

“The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing."
Socrates

------ Original Message ------
Received: Thu, 07 Nov 2013 03:04:22 AM EAT
From: James Christian <jc@james-christian.com>
To: "kenyabirdsnet@yahoogroups.com" <kenyabirdsnet@yahoogroups.com>
Subject: [KENYABIRDSNET] The Lebanese Hunting Club

Here are some more fools killing our migrants and actually bragging about it quite loudly. On facebook they have over 11000 'likes'.

https://www.facebook.com/LebaneseHuntingClub

--
James Christian
Karisia Walking Safaris
http://www.karisia.com