How Villagers Are Reaping the Enduring Benefits of International Hunting

Johannesburg – If you happen to be quenching your thirst at one of the community boreholes in Hwange District, supported by international hunting revenue, you’ll find yourself joining the locals in their immense gratitude for the advantages this practice offers.

The relentless heat of Hwange District, Zimbabwe, can be challenging, yet the local communities manage to flourish despite this natural obstacle.

They are consistently thankful for the rich wildlife that attracts international hunters from around the world, with hunting revenues contributing significantly to socio-economic growth and conservation efforts.

Hwange National Park is home to the second-largest elephant population in any national park (approximately 45,000), surpassed only by Botswana’s Chobe National Park (around 50,000).

These elephants freely traverse between Hwange National Park and local hunting communities, such as Lukosi and nearby villages.

The hunting communities in Hwange District share a special connection with the area’s abundant wildlife, including lions, buffaloes, leopards, and, naturally, elephants.

Funds generated from international hunting are allocated to hiring community game scouts, effectively reducing wildlife poaching while also creating job opportunities for local men and women.

While it’s common to see elephants wandering into neighboring villages like Lukosi searching for food and water, their increasing population brings several challenges.

The overpopulation of elephants in Hwange National Park is leading to insufficient food and water resources for these majestic animals.

Interactions between elephants and villagers can often escalate into aggressive encounters, resulting in injuries and even fatalities.

In their quest for sustenance, these wandering elephants can cause significant destruction, damaging crops, homes, and even water storage facilities.

Nevertheless, the residents of Hwange District continue to express profound gratitude for elephants and other potentially hazardous species like buffaloes and lions.

As one villager noted, they cherish these animals “as long as they continue to provide international hunting benefits, which we hold in high regard.”

“This wildlife, particularly elephant hunting, sustains our community economically and socially,” noted Londozi Shoko of Lukosi Village during a recent interview.

“The income generated from hunting elephants and other wildlife allows us to build schools and clinics, ultimately enhancing the well-being of our community.”

Costantino Dube, another resident of Lukosi Village, shared similar thoughts.

“The revenue from international hunting benefits everyone in Zimbabwe’s hunting communities, especially in the southern regions, including villages like Lukosi in Hwange District,” he remarked.

He pointed out that international hunting supports crucial community projects such as roads, bridges, clinics, and medical supplies.

“These funds can also improve crop production by financing irrigation development,” Dube added.

“However, we see no promising future without the advantages that international hunting provides.”

“Without the benefits from wildlife, villagers might resort to poaching—especially regarding the troublesome elephants, who can become quite a nuisance if we no longer benefit from them.”

Dube also urged those advocating for a ban on international hunting to consider relocating Hwange’s elephants to their own countries.

“If international hunting is banned, we will lose our appreciation for elephants,” he claimed.

He emphasized the injustice of expecting the communities of Hwange District to bear the wildlife management costs—especially from destructive elephants—without any benefits in return.

“We have more than enough elephants to fuel our development,” he challenged opponents of international hunting.

“Come and visit Hwange National Park; you’ll witness the vast number of elephants in this area,” Dube stated.

“It’s unreasonable for Western nations to dictate how we should manage our wildlife, particularly when we don’t impose our views on their oil drilling activities, which harm the environment.”

About the Writer: Emmanuel Koro is an internationally recognized environmental journalist based in Johannesburg, writing independently on environmental and developmental topics.

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