Canned hunting is illegal in South Africa and people should immediately report suspected incidences to the police or wildlife authorities, the Professional Hunters’ Association of South Africa (PHASA) said today.
“Canned hunting should, however, not be confused with legal, responsible and sustainable forms of hunting, which have had a demonstrably positive impact on conservation in South Africa as well as other countries where it is practiced,” said chief executive Adri Kitshoff.
Kitshoff said that PHASA had noted a deliberate attempt to confuse the difference between canned hunting and legitimate forms of hunting and that this was part of a larger campaign to undermine hunting as an effective conservation tool.
PHASA said that the animal rights and animal welfare organisations behind the campaign were not recognised authorities in the field of conservation. “The real authorities are the Convention for the International Trade in Endangered Species, the International Union for Conservation of Nature, the World Wildlife Fund and in South Africa the Department of Environmental Affairs, all of which recognise sustainable hunting as a valuable contributor to conservation practices as well as to rural community development and anti-poaching initiatives,” she said.
For further information contact Adri Kitshoff, PHASA chief executive, on 083 650 0442.
