Sharon Stead, CEO of the Amalinda Safari Collection, believes that trophy hunting around Hwange National Park also has negative effects on tourism.
“Whilst I understand the role that hunting has in Zimbabwe, I personally feel that hunting iconic pride lions around Hwange National Park, especially those who are collared, is counterproductive to the species and the landscapes in which they play a roll,” Stead told The Dodo. “These lions have become relaxed around photographic vehicles, are born and bred in the park, and the consequence of them being removed from their social structure has far-reaching repercussions which is not deemed good conservation practice. They are known to photographic operators and their value to them, National Parks and our guests, who come to Africa to photograph these iconic species, has far more financial benefit then that of its trophy fee in the long term.”