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The Effects of Trophy Hunting of African Lions (Panthera Leo) on Their Population in Tanzania and Zimbabwe, While Comparing Threats with Kenya’S Lion Population

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The Effects of Trophy Hunting of African Lions (Panthera Leo) on Their Population in Tanzania and Zimbabwe, While Comparing Threats with Kenya’S Lion Population The Effects of Trophy Hunting of African lions (Panthera leo) on their Population in Tanzania and Zimbabwe, While Comparing Threats with Kenya’s Lion Population Tonya Manley ENVS 190-Thesis December 13, 2018 African lion (Panthera leo) with dark mane. Photo Credit: Dr. Michelle Stevens Abstract The African lion (Panthera leo) is an apex predator that is protected by conservation efforts in Kenya, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe (Williams, 2017). While the lion is under protection, they are also trophy hunted in Tanzania and Zimbabwe, raising possible issues to their population numbers (Loveridge et al., 2007; IUCN, 2016; Packer et al., 2011). There are benefits to trophy hunting lions such as community safety, local economies benefiting, conservation efforts for lions, and livestock owners (Lindsey et al., 2007 and 2013; IUCN, 2016; Packer et al., 2006). However, there are also disadvantages to trophy hunting lions such as population decline, genetic problems, tourism, ecological disruption, and cultural connections (Bauer et al., 2016; (Trinkel and Angelici, 2016; IUCN 2014; Hazzah et al., 2009). The purpose of this paper is to present case studies to help determine the current approaches of trophy hunting lions that may affect population size and potential solutions such as age restrictions, limiting quotas, community education and conservation. Kenya, Tanzania and Zimbabwe’s African lion populations will be examined to indicate if trophy hunting has an effect, and if other threats contribute to a population decline. Kenya’s lion population remained stable or increased in certain areas since 1996, but are facing threats including protection against land conversion and human-wildlife conflict (Lindsey et al., 2017; Ogutu et al., 2016). The case studies suggest that Tanzania’s and Zimbabwe’s lion populations are effected by trophy hunting, along with other threats such human-wildlife conflict and bushmeat (Lindsey et al., 2017; Loveridge et al., 2007 and 2016; Packer, 2011). Conservation and management practices are a must for assessing the lion population and making sure it is healthy enough for the population to regenerate. Table of Contents Introduction .......................................................................................................................................................... 1 Materials and Methods .................................................................................................................................... 3 Background ........................................................................................................................................................... 3 Threats .................................................................................................................................................................. 8 Advantages ............................................................................................................................................................. 9 Protection against Conversion of Land ....................................................................................................... 9 Community safety ...........................................................................................................................................10 Conservation .....................................................................................................................................................11 Disadvantages ....................................................................................................................................................12 Genetic Problems ............................................................................................................................................12 Ecological Importance ...................................................................................................................................13 Cultural Rituals ................................................................................................................................................13 Tourism ..............................................................................................................................................................14 Rules and Regulations ...................................................................................................................................15 Kenya ..................................................................................................................................................................15 Tanzania .............................................................................................................................................................15 Zimbabwe ..........................................................................................................................................................18 Imports/Exports of Lion Trophies ..............................................................................................................18 Case Studies .........................................................................................................................................................21 Zimbabwe Case Studies ................................................................................................................................21 Tanzania Case Studies ...................................................................................................................................25 Kenya Case Studies ........................................................................................................................................28 Case Study Comparing Zimbabwe, Tanzania and Kenya’s Lion Population ...............................29 Discussion and Recommendations .........................................................................................................32 Conclusion ............................................................................................................................................................35 Literature Cited .................................................................................................................................................37 Introduction Trophy hunting is a recreational sport where hunters go after specific megafauna, typically large or impressive ornamented males (Darimont et al., 2017). Trophy hunting is large in Africa, consisting of five specific species including the Cape buffalos (Syncerus caffer), African elephants (Loxodonta), African leopards (Panthera pardus), African lions (Panthera leo), and Rhinoceros (Rhinocerotidae) (Caro and Riggio, 2014). The big five populations have experienced declines across the African continent, but these species continue to be high value in game sales because of trophy hunting (Caro and Riggio, 2014). Lions are particularly desirable to hunters because of the real danger involved, meaning that the lion may attack without being provoked and is considered the best of the big five in the trophy hunting community (Casamitjana and Tsang, 2017). The African lion (Panthera leo) is an apex predator that is protected by conservation efforts in Kenya, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe (Williams, 2017). While the lion is under protection, they are also trophy hunted in Tanzania and Zimbabwe, raising possible issues to their population numbers (Loveridge et al., 2007; IUCN, 2016; Packer et al., 2011). There are benefits to trophy hunting lions such as community safety, local economies benefiting, conservation efforts for lions, and livestock owners (Lindsey et al., 2007 and 2013; IUCN, 2016; Packer et al., 2006). However, there are also disadvantages to trophy hunting lions such as population decline, genetic problems, tourism, ecological disruption, and cultural connections (Bauer et al., 2016; (Trinkel and Angelici, 2016; IUCN 2014; Hazzah et al., 2009). The goal of this project is to indicate whether trophy hunting practices are decreasing the African lion’s population and if current management in Kenya, Tanzania and 1 Zimbabwe have effective conservation efforts to keep their population stable or increasing. The purpose of this paper is to present case studies to help determine the current approaches of trophy hunting lions that may affect population size and potential solutions such as age restrictions, limiting quotas, community education and conservation. Kenya, Tanzania and Zimbabwe’s African lion populations will be examined to indicate if trophy hunting has an effect, and if other threats contribute to a population decline. Does trophy hunting African lions effect their population in Tanzania and Zimbabwe? This research will help in assessing the actions needed for protecting the African lion’s population. The literature review project is to assess the debate of trophy hunting lions by looking at many of the possible complications and advantages of the sport in the African countries including Tanzania and Zimbabwe, while comparing Kenya that has banned trophy hunting. Lion populations are in a dilemma from indiscriminate killing, habitat loss, prey depletion, illegal trade and trophy hunting (Bauer et al., 2016). Although trophy hunting may be a threat to lion populations, it can be more easily controlled than other threats, so assessing its effects on their population is crucial in creating rules and regulations for the sport (Creel et al., 2016). Since 1996-2016, these threats have resulted in the African lion’s status
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