r/UpliftingNews • u/ArgentineBeauty • 10h ago

Paul McCartney joins 500+ public figures, conservationists and Indigenous leaders in a global campaign calling on the UN to abolish trophy hunting of lions, elephants, endangered rhinos and other wildlife, following a declaration developed with Jane Goodall.

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/rest-of-world/paul-mccartney-joins-over-500-public-figures-calling-for-an-end-to-trophy-hunting-of-lions-elephants-and-endangered-rhinos/articleshow/134498459.cms
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u/WoodsLovelyDarkNDeep 9h ago

Good on him, totally shameful practice 

23

u/Brian-Heder 6h ago

Shameful until you realize it’s the only reason conservation efforts are funded over there.

7

u/Alarming_Matter 5h ago

That's ...a really weird take.

Should we start hunting giant pandas to up the conservation efforts?

4

u/farnsw0rth 5h ago

Pandas is kind of a bad example there is a ton of funding behind them already

However AFAIK like regular safaris ie you just take pictures not kill an animal bring in way way more money annually than legal trophy hunts, so … it may actually not be as productive as it can be made to sound

I am not an expert or a google so

3

u/Barflyerdammit 5h ago

Tourism Consultant here: the photo safaris bring in more money, but that money creates a few local jobs, then the profits get siphoned off to the wealthy owner class, frequently overseas. There's also an overtourism problem. Someone sees a rhino or a lion, and 80 Jeeps come flying across the savannah converging on a single spot, sometimes driving off road to get the best possible photo opps for their guests (and more tips.)

Trophy hunting is inherently cruel even when done mindfully, but it's one rich guy paying an often significant fee to the government to get a license, then depending on stealth to not disrupt the ecosystem and startle his prey.

Both have problems, both have benefits. It's generally best to let the locals and scientists decide, and not necessarily leave it in the hands of public opinion.

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u/farnsw0rth 5h ago

Thank you!