Festive and Expo Season
The management and staff of the AHI Bulletin and the African Hunting Gazette wish the entire international firearms and hunting industry a happy and prosperous festive season and great success on the 2014 expo circuit.
Hunting Industry busy shooting itself
In the December edition of African Indaba, (a hunting newsletter) the author of one of the stories criticises The South African Professional Hunting Association (PHASA)for making ‘an about turn’ on its lion hunting policy.
Game Ranching Beats The JSE!
According to an article by Antoinette Slabbert in Moneyweb, game ranching yields better returns than the JSE.
WRSA Announces Catarrhal Fever Insurance
Wildlife Ranching South Africa recently announced its own catarrhal fever insurance fund. It will enable game ranchers to ensure themselves against claims by cattle ranching neighbours for damage suffered if cattle attracts catarrhal fever from game.
Absa Sponsors WRSA Research
WRSA commissioned the North West University to conduct extensive research to serve as basis for the development of a strategic document for the game-ranching industry.
Tanzanian Anti-Poaching Steps To Continue
It has been reported that the Tanzanian President, Jakaya Kikwete announced the re-activation of the country’s Operation Tokomeza anti-poaching campaign launched in September.
Tanzania Impounds Elephant Tusks
Tanzanian officials recently impounded 89 elephant tusks with a street value of almost US$ 700,000 at a roadblock near the Masasi township.
Cyanide Dumped Next To Road
The possessors of cyanide used to poison elephants in the Tsholotsho region of Zimbabwe had dumped cyanide on a path near Pelandaba Primary School.
Rhino Poaching Cost SA 1,1 Billion Rand
At the recent Indaba on the value of economic biodiversity, PHASA CEO Adri Kitshoff estimated the cost of rhino poaching over the past five years at R1,1 billion.
Mozambique Conflict Flares Up
We spoke to some active outfitters in Mozambique regarding the renewal of hostilities.
Death Sentence for Zimbabwean Game Ranger
The death sentence issued to Zimbabwean game ranger Maxwell Borwa has been making headlines. The deceased had apparently been a member of a poaching and trafficking cartel which operated between the small town of Norton outside Harare and the Gokwe area. Zimbabwe National Parks and Police apparently sanctioned a combined operation to raid a known safe house used by the poachers.
Clarification on Hippo Importation Into EU
Johan Svalby, legal advisor to the Federation of Associations for Hunting and Conservation of the EU (FACE), clarified rhino horn importation into the EU from Mozambique in the most recent edition of Africa Indaba.
RSA Hunting Industry Statistics
The following statistics about the South African hunting industry were released by Dr Herman Els:
SAHGC Expels Member
According to a recent press release by the South African Hunters and Game Conservation Association (SAHGCA), the association recently dishonourably expelled a member from the Association for poaching. The release states:
30-Year Old CITES Amendment To Apply Soon
On 29 November 2013, an amendment to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) will enter into force to allow regional economic integration organizations to accede to the Convention. This amendment, known as the ‘Gaborone Amendment’, was adopted in Gaborone, Botswana, 30 years ago, on 30 April 1983.
Alleged cover-up in poaching scandal
In Zimbabwe, individuals with mining rights can purchase cyanide from reputable chemical stores. Villagers in Tsholotsho are accused of having handed cyanide to individuals who poisoned more than 100 elephants over a period of two months.
Reopening of Land Claims in South Africa
Wildlife Ranching South Africa (WRSA) is drawing its members’ attention to the proposed reopening of the land restitution claims process. It provides information documents on its website to landowners. The documents are recent and up to date. They reflect new...
Opposing Views on Rhino Horn Trading
RhinoDot Com is an information and network-oriented campaign that lobbies for the legalization of rhino horn. It recently compiled a document that addresses some of the interesting criticisms they receive against a proposed legal trade in rhino horn. These can be...
South African Airways (SAA) Changes Baggage Rules
The SAA has changed to a baggage policy that restricts the number of pieces of baggage a passenger may check in. The new rules, applicable from 5 September 2013, limits and defines the number of baggage pieces a passenger may check-in, as well as the weight...
RSA National Registration of Hunting Professionals
South Africa is busy establishing a central national database of active hunting industry professionals. The objective is to, for the first time ever, develop and maintain a central national database for active, registered, licensed professional hunters and...
CITES Welcomes US Wildlife Trafficking Executive Order
CITES recently stated on its website that: The Secretariat of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) welcomes the Executive Order on Combating Wildlife Trafficking issued by the President of the United States,...
CIC – Young Opinion Research Award
AHI would like to draw the industry’s attention to the CIC Young Opinion Research Award. The CIC (International Council for Game & Wildlife Conservation) is a global non-profit inter-governmental organization aiming to conserve wildlife through its...
New South African Gunshop Franchise
The Wildman Hunting & Outdoor was recently launched by JJ Wapens of Ermelo in South Africa. Franchise shops have already opened in Graaff-Reinet and Upington while shops will soon open in Ellisras, Rustenburg and Nelspruit. Another is in process for the Western...
Somchem Propellants
After a long spell of non-availability of Somchem reloading propellants, stock is again available from dealers. This includes Somchem S-365 regarding which serious shortages have been experienced from early 2013.
New Peregrine Bullet
Peregrine, manufacturer of the unique bi-metal bullets which have become the talk of the town, have added a new bullet to their range this week with the introduction of the 130-grain VRG-3 bullet for .303 calibers. The bullet is specifically aimed at bush use in the...
Hunting in Zimbabwe Parks
Zimbabwe’s SOAZ has recently circulated a press release warning that hunters buying hunts in Zimbabwean National Parks should be aware that these hunts: Are ration hunts Which may not take place in sensitive or high tourist areas of the parks Exclude...
Temporary Exports of Firearms from South Africa
In the past South African hunters obtained temporary firearm export permits from the SAPS upon arrival at border posts. This will not be possible in future. The SAPS now requires hunters to apply for temporary firearm export permits at their local DFOs at least three...
South African Rhino Population Set To Decline
According to the RSA Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA), 553 rhino have been poached in South Africa to date. A spokesman for the WorldWide Fund for Nature in South Africa (WWF-SA) is reported to have said that the overall rhino population will soon begin...
RIM Report Suggests Trading of Rhino Horn on JSE
The Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) recently released the recommendations of the Rhino Issues Management (RIM) report. The report calls for the immediate dehorning of thousands of rhino in national parks. The report, written by former SA National Parks chief...
Tanzania plans a new wildlife authority
According to media reports Tanzanian Natural Resources and Tourism Minister Ambassador Khamis Kagasheki the Tanzanian is collecting views from wildlife stakeholders on the establishment of the Tanzania Wildlife Authority (TAWA). TAWA appears to be intended as similar to TAWICO (Tanzania Wildlife Corporation – hunting company) of the past.