HIGH returns are anticipated from this year’s hunting season owing to an increase in bookings.
The hunting season commences in April, up to November.
But in recent years, negative publicity, especially by the US, has led to a slump in the safari and hunting sector.
However, officials note that this year’s bookings are up 20 percent compared to last year.
And this might be as a result of the stance taken by the Donald Trump administration.
Unlike past administrations that heavily interfered in African affairs through various dubious programmes, it seems Trump is presently concentrating on making America ‘great’ again.
Trump, to the chagrin of African states heavily dependent on the US, came into power with a proposal to slash the State Department and US Agency for International Development (USAID) budgets by close to 30 percent, while eliminating several executive agencies, including the US African Development Foundation, which funds grassroots development projects in 30 African countries.
However, states that are determined to develop their own economies without interference have found breathing space.
Past administrations have hounded Africa, disturbing and suffocating nations like Zimbabwe.
For instance, the past Barrack Obama administration and its European allies have proposed to have the country’s elephant and lion populations moved from Appendix 2 to Appendix 1, which provides for stricter measures in commercial trade in the species.
And the country’s leadership has voiced its concern with Vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa on record stating that such moves are equivalent to interference with the country’s sovereign right on using its wildlife resources, which the nation has successfully managed since attaining independence.
“Zimbabwe is worried by the tendency of developed countries to treat our elephants as the global commons,” said VP Mnangagwa during CITES COP17.
“Zimbabwe’s wildlife is part of our national, natural heritage and we know how to manage and use it for sustainable national and community development.”
Thirteen percent of the country’s total surface area, amounting to about 39 757 square km is gazetted as wildlife protected areas.
Safari Operators Association of Zimbabwe (SOAZ) president, Emmanuel Fundira said they expected a fruitful 2017 hunting season.
Ongoing conservation efforts and experienced heavy rains have been a boon to the hunting sector.
“2017 bookings show an increase of 20 percent over last year mainly because of recorded successes in conservation methods,” Fundira said.
“Revenue targets are expected to increase by 30 percent. Good rains are a positive and improved pastures an added advantage and direct hunting projections should be close to US$30 million and when we factor in the entire industry and value chain projections, they even get better with targets close to US$80 million”.
The 2017 hunting season started on April 1 2017 with the first three months of the year reserved for marketing activities.
Fundira said hunting fees vary by area and trophy yields and offtake but generally there has been an upward trend averaging 10 percent increase.
“Most popular areas are Matabeleland North and Matetsi (both in Matabeleland North Province) hunting areas,” he said.
Challenges we face, he said, are internal and include the permitting system on popular activities such Bow Hunts and dangerous game.
He said strides have been made to re-engage with the US to lift the ban it imposed on the importation of sport-hunted trophies from the southern African country.
“Tremendous progress has been made in this regard and the change of administration in the US has by default improved dialogue and engagement with USFWS (United States Fish and Wildlife Service) as the new regime is pro-utilisation,” Fundira said.
Commenting on the same issue, Communal Areas Management Programme for Indigenous Resources (CAMPFIRE) director, Charles Jonga said the increase in booking is attributed to vigorous marketing initiatives by stakeholders.
“A few safari operators have already started hunts and the marketing is better this year compared to last year,” Jonga said
The downside, Jonga said, remains the prevailing ban on ivory import into the US, for which Government is awaiting a response from the US Fish and Wildlife Service anytime.
The USFWS imposed new restrictions on African lions harvested after January 22 2016, particularly lions from southern and Eastern Africa, a move viewed by many as a ‘ban’ meant to cripple the local hunting industry.
Tanzania and Zimbabwe are the second and third largest exporters of lion trophies to the US, after South Africa, but the US stopped all imports of elephant trophies from the two southern African countries because of what it believes to be organisational problems in the wildlife management programmes of the two countries.
Conservationist and tour operator Langton Masunda concurred with Fundira, saying more hunters were expected this year.
“It’s still early, but signs of a better season are there for all to see,” he said.
Southern Africa is home to many wildlife species such as elephants, buffaloes, rhinos and zebras which attract tourist from across the globe, making tourism crucial for the economic growth of the region.
According to the Parks and Wildlife Management Authority of Zimbabwe, the authority derives the bulk of its operational funding from hunting revenues.
The country, reportedly, has a population of over 84 000 elephants, which is more than the country’s carrying capacity.
The lion population is estimated at around 2 000.