Global Journal of Biology, Agriculture & Health Sciences

Abstract

Status of Trophy Hunting in Zambia for the Period 2003 – 2012: Is Hunting Justified in Zambia?

Chansa Chomba & Vincent Nyirenda

A study was carried out to determine the status of trophy hunting in Zambia for the period 2002/3 – 2012 after the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Service was transformed into Zambia Wildlife Authority a semi autonomous institution. The main objectives were to determine: i) size of hunting quotas between residents and non residents, ii) revenue collected from residents and non residents, iii) status of game management areas and income collected, and iv) most popular species in hunting. Data was collected from the field particularly Form ZAWA 14, which captures hunting details. Further data were collected from the licencing office at Zambia Wildlife Authority headquarters in Chilanga. Results obtained showed that mean quota size for safari was 56% and 44% for residents, yet safari hunting contributed 95% of the revenue and only 5% was generated from resident hunting. Prime hunting areas were few 31%, secondary 41 % specialized 8%, under stocked 13% and private 9%. In terms of revenue in USD prime generated the most followed by secondary, specialized which was at the same level with private hunting areas while under stoked generated the least. When compared with other sources of income for ZAWA hunting showed an increase over other sources. The most hunted species under resident were; buffalo, waterbuck, puku, bushbuck, lechwe, wildebeest, oribi, common duiker, reedbuck, and greater kudu. Under nonresident; lechwe, wildebeest, lion, buffalo, leopard and puku. It was observed that the status of habitats and animal numbers in most game management areas had declined, yet hunting continued to be an important source of revenue for Zambia Wildlife Authority. Further research is required on how under stocked and depleted game management areas can be rehabilitated to support the lucrative trophy hunting industry which also benefits local communities’ resident in these areas. Further research is required to develop a model that would help Zambia Wildlife Authority to rehabilitate under stocked and depleted Game Management Areas.

Published Date: 2015-08-06;