Hunting

[Richprins]

Nothing illegal here.

[Lisbeth]

It might not be illegal, but it is disgusting, immoral and proof of lack of sensibility and empathy

[Klipspringer]

Some of these hunters posing do it exactly in order to create a social media shit storm - in need of sort of celebrity status for a while

[Klipspringer]

A bit of perspective here

https://scienceplusstory.com/science-ce ... rtnership/

[Lisbeth]

guarding against land conversion, poaching and terrible conflict-related killings,

The first of the three convinces me, but only if it is not possible to convert the land to Photo safaris. But why would there be more poaching and people/wildlife incidences without hunting

[Klipspringer]

Unlike in SA, rural people in most regions of Africa coexist with wildlife, elephants destroy crops and farming infrastructure, big cats prey on lifestock and sometimes incidents occur with people killed/injured. So the locals may see the wildlife as pest or vermin and don't object to killing them.

Hunting may provide some benefits for the local people: food and cash income and promote the idea that it is useful to have wildlife around.

But as the author is saying these are simplifications and it is more complex and requires a sound assessment for a specific area.

If it was that simple Botswana should deliver the example now with poaching going down and wildlife numbers going up in the post-hunting-ban era.

[Lisbeth]

It is much more complicated than both the pro and contra hunting associations a.l. seem to think.

[Richprins]

my colleagues and I who engage in these debates are very aware that ‘science’ is not enough to win hearts and minds.

The grim reality is that a significant proportion of locals have very different "minds". They will continue to poach indiscriminately in the same reserve that is providing them with jobs and considerable income, and often are not poor at all, just greedy.

[Lisbeth]

The bushmeat trade has become a big business, I hear

[Richprins]

It's 'treachery' if Zulu royal cleansing hunt went ahead in absence of 'heir to throne', says Buthelezi
19 June 2021 - 08:40
Zimasa Matiwane Reporter


Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi says he is "disturbed" by rumours that a ritual hunt to cleanse the late Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu's weapons went ahead in the absence of the “heir to the throne'', which could "not be seen as anything short of treachery".

The ritual hunt forms part of the cleansing ceremony by the Zulu royal family, which has been in mourning for three months after the death of King Zwelithini.

According to Buthelezi, the royal family agreed on successive dates for three cleansing ceremonies. However, King Misuzulu “subsequently became indisposed. which drew these dates into question”.


“This created a serious problem, as part of the ceremonies following the passing of a king is that of the washing of the king’s weapons. There is no way that this can take place when the heir himself is not present, for there is no-one else qualified to take the king’s weapons to be cleansed in his absence,” he said in a statement.

Buthelezi said he raised his concerns to the queen mother Mavis maZungu, who immediately made an announcement to the members of the royal family who were with her that the ritual hunt to cleanse the king’s weapons would not proceed.

The two ceremonies would be separated, and the hunt would only be done with the king’s authority and participation.


“However, we were disturbed by rumours yesterday that the ritual hunt would go ahead as part of the present cleansing ceremony, despite the decision not to do so,” Buthelezi explained.

He said it was therefore necessary to seek confirmation on whether any members of the royal family went against the decision announced by the queen mother.

“If this did indeed happen, His Majesty should be informed whether any regiments accompanied such hunt, as the leader of the regiments was instructed not to participate in unsanctioned activities,” he added.

Buthelezi urged members of the royal family to follow protocol and “to take the lead from the heir to the throne, His Majesty King Misuzulu ka Zwelithini”.

“Actions that undermine the stability of the royal family will undermine the stability of the Zulu nation. They could therefore not be seen as anything short of treachery,” he concluded.

While King Misuzulu has been widely accepted as the heir to the throne, two of the late king's daughters from KwaKhethomthandayo Palace launched an application for a court interdict seeking to stop the coronation of Prince Misuzulu Zulu as king of the Zulu nation.

Meanwhile, a media briefing will be held on Saturday at KwaKhethomthandayo Royal Palace “after observing the ceremony of cleansing”.

TimesLIVE

https://www.sowetanlive.co.za/news/sout ... buthelezi/