Originally posted by Safari Club International on 7/20/17

SCI Supports Hunting As Part Of Lion Conservation

Safari Club International notes the recent media reports on the hunting of a lion in Zimbabwe.

Although we are still awaiting information on this subject, it is our current understanding that this lion was taken in accordance with Zimbabwe law.

Lion hunting and the hunting of other African wildlife, when carried out legally and sustainably, provide an important wildlife management and conservation tool to the range countries responsible for those animal populations.

“Independent scientists and conservationists, such as Oxford University and the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, support legal lion hunting as a component of conservation,” said SCI President-elect Steve Skold.

“Safari Club International (SCI) and its sister organization, the Safari Club International Foundation, are actively involved with efforts of the wildlife management authorities of the governments where lions occur, supporting their research and management programs to conserve lions,” Skold explained.  “Lion hunting improves human tolerance of lions and provides critical support for government conservation programs.

“The professional hunters and outfitters who arrange hunts for African wildlife serve as the most important front-line fighters in the battle against commercially motivated poaching of lions and other iconic wildlife. Wildlife conservation is about science and not emotion. As members of the hunting community, we care about the natural world and we put our money and our work into effective and scientifically supported conservation so that we and all who enjoy wildlife will be able to continue to do so far into the future,” Skold said.

The following links provide more information about the many ways SCI and SCI Foundation are involved in the conservation of lions, as well as other wildlife.

Please visit www.safariclubfoundation.org/conservation for more information on worldwide programs dedicated to wildlife conservation. Or, to access information specifically about African lions, visit:

http://safariclubfoundation.org/conservation/conservation-programs/africa/tanzanian-lion-project

http://safariclubfoundation.org/conservation/conservation-programs/africa/zambia-lion-project

http://safariclubfoundation.org/sci-foundation-june-2016-e-newsletter/science-makes-a-breakthrough-in-aging-african-lions 

https://www.safariclub.org/docs/default-source/dc-office/fighting-for-lions-update_may2016.pdf?sfvrsn=0 

http://safariclubfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/The-Conservation-Equation-in-Africa_Southwick-Associates-Africa-Economics-Article_Final-2.pdf 

http://safariclubfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Southwick-Associates-2015_FINAL.pdf 

https://firstforwildlife.wordpress.com/2016/10/04/cites-keeps-lions-on-appendix-ii/ 

https://firstforwildlife.wordpress.com/2016/02/23/local-management-works-for-zimbabwe-lions/ 

https://firstforwildlife.wordpress.com/2016/09/20/cites-issue-hunting-trophies/ 

https://firstforwildlife.wordpress.com/2015/12/31/2015-conservation-success-stories/ 

https://www.safariclub.org/what-we-do/freedom-to-hunt/first-for-hunters-blog/first-for-hunters/2016/05/16/fighting-for-lions—update 

https://www.safariclub.org/what-we-do/media/hunt-forever-blog/hunt-forever/2013/02/13/hunters-can-save-lions-and-lion-hunting 

https://www.safariclub.org/what-we-do/media/hunt-forever-blog/hunt-forever/2014/08/05/the-truth-in-the-tooth-using-science-to-judge-lion-ages-in-the-field

https://firstforwildlife.wordpress.com/2016/07/19/economic-contributions-of-hunting-tourism-in-africa/ 

https://www.ammoland.com/2017/02/sci-foundations-matt-lewis-dispels-lion-population-myths-at-sci-2017-convention/#axzz4nOyxMdzf 

https://www.safariclub.org/what-we-do/media/hunt-forever-blog/hunt-forever/2013/03/25/the-right-lion

https://www.safariclub.org/what-we-do/media/hunt-forever-blog/hunt-forever/2014/01/13/what-do-african-lions-mean-to-local-hunters-elsewhere-in-the-world-
Safari Club International – First For Hunters is the leader in protecting the freedom to hunt and in promoting wildlife conservation worldwide. SCI’s approximately 200 Chapters represent all 50 of the United States as well as 106 other countries. SCI’s proactive leadership in a host of cooperative wildlife conservation, outdoor education and humanitarian programs, with the SCI Foundation and other conservation groups, research institutions and government agencies, empowers sportsmen to be contributing community members and participants in sound wildlife management and conservation. Visit the home page www.SafariClub.org, or call (520) 620-1220 for more information.
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