Killing animals as trophy: Shocking facts about trophy hunting

1.2 million animals have been killed by people in the name of trophy hunting. That breaks down to about 70,000 animals each year.

What is trophy hunting?

Trophy hunting is hunting of wild game for human recreation. The trophy is the animal or part of the animal kept, and usually displayed, to represent the success of the hunt.

Generally, only parts of the animal are kept as a trophies (usually the head, skin, horns or antlers) and the carcass itself is used for food or donated to the local community.

Recently, social media has started shedding more light on trophy hunting as people have expressed their anger on viral trophy pictures.

Where is it more predominant?

Canada, South Africa, Namibia, Mexico, Zimbawbe, New Zealand are the major countries which are the primary witnesses to trophy hunting.

South Africa has the largest hunting industry worldwide and it's the second most popular source of American trophy imports. Trophy hunting has been practiced in Africa and is still a practised in many African countries.

According to a study sponsored by International Council for Game and Wildlife Conservation (CIC) in partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the revenue generated by hunting tourism in seven Southern African Development Communities (SADC) in 2008 was approximately 190 million USD.

Most hunted animals

The most expensive species to hunt are known as the Big Five: the lion, elephant, leopard, rhinoceros (both black and white) and Cape buffalo.

Why is trophy hunting now a booming business?

Globally, the trophy hunting of rare animals is a booming business largely championed by the US-based Safari Club International (SCI).

The SCI encourages wealthy big-game hunters to compete in contests to kill the most animals for awards, such as the 'Africa Big Five' that includes lions, elephants, rhinos, leopards, and Cape buffaloes

Where does trophy hunting stand legally?

Trophy hunting is legal in many countries like Africa. However, there are restrictions on the species that can be hunted, when hunting can take place, the number of animals one can kill and the weapons that can be used.

Permits and government consent are also required. Specific laws of trophy hunting vary based on the criteria mentioned, and some areas have even banned trophy hunting altogether.

Some shocking facts about trophy hunting

1. Trophy hunters have killed over 78,000 mountain lions in the last two decades.
2. Mexico has a hunting industry valued at approximately $200 million with about 4,000 hunting ranches.
3. Big names like Teddy Roosevelt and George W Bush have been associated with killing animals/trophy hunting.
4. A 21-day lion hunt can cost anywhere from $52,500 to $70,000.

'Trophy', a 2017 documentary directed by Christina Clusiau, Shaul Schwarz shows an in-depth look into the powerhouse industries of big-game hunting, breeding and wildlife conservation in the US and Africa unravels the complex consequences of treating animals as commodities.

Every year hundreds of thousands of wild animals globally are killed solely to obtain a "prize"-that is, the heads, hides or pelts, and even whole stuffed animals-to hang on a wall, throw on the floor, or pose in a room. The practice is unethical, cruel, harmful and unsustainable.

Also read: Scientific names of some common animals

Also read: 6 rights every animal lover from India should know

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