AUCTION OF DEAD ANIMALS

THERE should be a “zero hunting quota” put in place for elephant, black rhino and leopards.

That was the comment from Humane Society International Africa (HSI) as public participation closed on November 8 for a proposed hunting/ export quota for elephant, black rhino and leopard hunting trophies.

Put forward by Forestry, Fisheries and Environment (DFFE) Minister Barbara Creecy, the proposal, dated October 8, 2021, gave 30 days’ notice for public participation in the form of written representations or objections for an annual quota for the three species for the 2021 calendar year. This time frame indicates this quota would be for next month.

The request for the hunting quota comes in the same month that the US-based Humane Society International (HSI) revealed an undercover investigation on November 2, which laid bare “the auction house of horrors” in Iowa, USA, which saw more than 500 hunting trophies which are no longer wanted going to the highest bidder.

These included “grotesque home decor such as tables and lamps made from giraffe legs and feet, tables made from African elephant feet and juvenile giraffe taxidermy”, said the report. Also for sale were two giraffe skulls and three full giraffe bodies, and rugs made from animals such as zebras, grizzly bears and mountain lions.

A baby giraffe was punted as “the perfect size that can go in any room in the house”.

Investigators also found hippo teeth, giraffe legs, and bones described as being “great for crafts” and “a dusty box labelled elephant ears and skin”, while photographs taken during the investigation showed a number of “trophy heads”, including zebra. There were also two hollowed elephant feet which auctioneers said “would make a nice trash can”.

HSI US CEO Kitty Block said in the report: “It is unconscionable that not only are these threatened and endangered species of wild animals killed by trophy hunters, but the souvenirs from these hunts are ultimately mothballed and sold off at a fairground full of unwanted animal body parts.”

Commenting this week on the findings in the auction house, HSI-Africa wildlife director Dr Audrey Delsink said: “Investigations such as these are a shocking reminder that once vibrant and ecologically significant animals, including endangered species, are reduced to nothing more than dusty laurels or bizarre furnishings from hunting trophies.”

Delsink said HSI-Africa had noted the minister’s draft policy paper, saying that public participation was fundamental in allowing the public to voice concern and to help protect African animals who are classified as critically endangered and vulnerable on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

She said the minister’s draft policy position acknowledged the risks of unethical and unregulated management and added: “We consider that hunting may be inconsistent with the stated consideration for welfare and well-being. As such, a zero hunting quota for these vulnerable species should be considered pending policy finalisation and regulatory review.”

She said that in the absence of any quotas, hunting of any of these three species would be prohibited.

Delsink said that not only were endangered species hunted, but also “a myriad other species”, including various antelope, baboons, genets, honey badgers, small cats and vervet monkeys.

While the proposed quota has been reported as 150 elephants, 10 black rhinos and 10 leopards, the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment had not responded to questions sent to them at the time of going to press. This included clarifying the time frame for the quota and whether such quota would be extended into 2022.