Zambia gives green light for ‘on-off’ hippo cull
Over 1,000 hippos are to be culled in the Luangwa Valley.
Conservationists have expressed dismay as the Zambian Government confirms more than a thousand hippos will be culled.
Shortly after news of the cull broke in 2016, it was suspended. But the Born Free Foundation says it is now back on and will see 1,250 hippos culled in the Luangwa Valley.
The government is citing overpopulation of hippos, causing irreversible environmental damage, as the reason for the cull.
However, Born Free says there is no scientific evidence for this, and the government’s own published research shows previous culls have actually stimulated an increase in population growth.
Furthermore, the charity says the contract for the cull, awarded to Mabwe Adventures, is ‘shrouded in controversy’.
CEO Howard Jones said: “Not only does the contract breach the transparent, open tendering process required for the procurement of such services, but Mabwe sub-contracted the cull to a safari outfitter in South Africa, Umlilo Safaris, that has been openly selling the opportunity to kill hippos in Luangwa, to fee-paying trophy hunters.
“This cull has nothing to do with animal management or conservation, and everything to do with money. In September, the UK, Ireland, Finland and Sweden all suspended aid to Zambia because of alleged corruption in its administration.”
US ambassador for Zambia Daniel Foote said the move may make it difficult, if not impossible, for him to attract the investment needed to improve the country’s conservation sector.
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