The return of the zambia hippo cull?
THE RETURN OF THE ZAMBIA HIPPO CULL?
BORN FREE’S PRESIDENT & CO-FOUNDER WILL TRAVERS OBE URGES SUPPORTERS TO HELP PREVENT THE SLAUGHTER OF HIPPOS IN ZAMBIA AS THE CULL RETURNS
Two years ago, Born Free revealed that the Zambian government had waved through permission for 2,000 hippos to be killed over a five-year period in the world-famous Luangwa Valley. The government had granted a five-year contract to a South African hunting company in order to conduct a cull that it claimed would prevent the future spread of anthrax among wild animals.
Shocked and appalled, we sprang into action. We spread the news through worldwide media outlets and social media, and launched emergency action with our supporters. A week after alerting the world, the Zambian government suspended the cull “to allow for further consultation with stakeholders”. A great victory… or so we thought.
This week, Born Free received news that the Zambian authorities had secretly overturned their 2016 decision and were once again promoting the cull to trophy hunters. The cull is to start imminently and hunting camps are being set up. If this proceeds, whole families of hippos will be shot in the water by trophy hunters who pay for the privilege. This will inevitably result in unbearable suffering for the targeted animals, and undoubtedly traumatise those left behind. Just like before, no robust, scientific evidence has been provided to justify the cull, nor validate the claims that low water levels and increased risk of disease render it necessary.
The return of the cull is devastating news. Wild hippo numbers across Africa are under growing pressure, with a maximum estimate of just 130,000 animals. They are also being increasingly targeted for their ivory. In the decade to 2016, more than 6,000 hippo teeth, 2,048 tusks and 1,183 trophies were exported to EU Member States alone.
Once again, we have alerted the world to news of the latest cull, and we are writing to the President of Zambia, His Excellency Edgar Chagwa Lungu, urging him to personally intervene and call a permanent halt to this damaging and distressing plan with immediate effect.
Born Free is opposed to the killing of any animal for sport or pleasure. We contend that there is no evidence that supports the need to cull, as expressed by the authorities. We also firmly believe that hippos are worth more alive, as part of the Luangwa Valley ecosystem and a spectacular part in Zambia’s incredible wildlife tourism sector, than dead.