Local Community Perceptions of Trophy Hunting In Namibia

Trophy hunting in Africa is currently under pressure as countries change their legislation and policies that aim to put a halt to an activity that many Westerners view as unpalatable or unethical. However, since local people... [ view full abstract ]

Trophy hunting in Africa is currently under pressure as countries change their legislation and policies that aim to put a halt to an activity that many Westerners view as unpalatable or unethical. However, since local people have the most to gain or lose when it comes to trophy hunting, incorporating perceptions of local community members is essential to the management of wildlife in Namibia. Understanding how communities perceive hunting as a conservation tool will help effectively address the international bias that stands in the way of communicating clear messages about trophy hunting.  Focus groups were used in this study to inquire about the perceived benefits of trophy hunting in Bwabwata National Park (BNP) and Salambala Conservancy (SC). Seven focus groups (four consisting only of men and three groups consisting only of women) were carried out in Bwabwata National Park, and four in Salambala Conservancy (two consisting only of men and two groups consisting only of women). The focus group discussions centered around the benefits and negative consequences of trophy hunting, trophy hunting impacts on the conservation of wildlife and the future of conservation if trophy hunting were discontinued.  The results indicate that the economic benefits of trophy hunting are significant to these focus group participants, with several material and non-material benefits distributed throughout the community. The widespread perception of the importance of trophy hunting in BNP and SC demonstrate these perceptions should not be overlooked or downplayed. They can be vital for wildlife management decisions in Namibia.