Elephants 1 , Big Game Hunter 0
- Thread starter Althetuna
- Start date
I laughed reading that article and seeing "culling the population". Because, you know, before these hunts you couldn't even walk through Africa without having to squeeze through a bunch of elephants.
to be fair: the elephant did its own form of conservation management (passing down of wealth to others who are less likely now to go on safari). mother nature provides
Too bad the elephants didn’t finish off the guide as well.
Agree. Without hunting, there'd probably be a lot more extinct big game species, ironically. Or much lower population.
Are you under the impression that local indigenous populations always live in perfect harmony with the surrounding wildlife?
I have a much harder time cheering for a millionaire that flew halfway across the world to kill something that wasn't bothering him because he thought it would look good next to the elephant and lion in his house.
If we're looking for a food source I've been hearing a lot of good things about something called Soylent Green. I think Kennedy put it on the new food pyramid.
Gee, it’s almost like the funding model we created was intentionally built this way. Wonder why. And what the down sides of that are.
If the intent is to cull the herd, there’s better ways to do it. Arm the locals with the weapons to hunt on their own. There’s no reason that anyone should be killing animals for a trophy. That’s some sociopathic **** right there.
huh? So you can’t think of a better way to handle rogue elephants than to fly in a millionaire or billionaire and send an entire part with him so he can accomplish it? Good grief.
Cheering no but if I legally camp or fish in the UP and come across a black bear having a bad day it's not some tragic situation that the public should feel sad about.
Whatever happened to personal responsibility ya know?
From Gemini...
Gabon is a niche and expensive destination for hunting, primarily because the country’s dense rainforests make it one of the most physically demanding hunting environments in Africa. Unlike many Southern African nations where hunting is a massive commercial industry, Gabon focuses on specialized, high-value forest species.
Cost and Revenue Breakdown
While hunting for iconic "Big Five" animals like Elephants or Gorillas is strictly illegal in Gabon, the country permits the hunting of specialized forest game.1. Trip Prices (The Hunter's Cost)
For an international hunter, a safari in Gabon is a major investment. Current market rates for 2026 indicate:- 10-Day Safari: Typically starts around $33,000.
- 13-Day Specialized Hunt: Can go as high as $42,000.
- Daily Rates: Often exceed $2,000 per day just for the outfitter’s services (guides, trackers, lodging), excluding the actual animal fees.
2. Trophy Fees (Per Animal)
These are separate fees paid only if an animal is successfully harvested. Because Gabon’s wildlife is unique, these fees are substantial:- Sitatunga (Forest Antelope): Several thousand dollars.
- Dwarf Forest Buffalo: One of the most sought-after trophies in Central Africa, often carrying a fee of $5,000 to $10,000+ depending on the concession.
- Duikers/Red River Hogs: Smaller specialized game often included in packages or priced between $500 and $2,000 per animal.
3. Government & Local Revenue
The government collects revenue through hunting permits, firearm licenses (roughly €200), and a percentage of the trophy fees. In some "pilot" community-managed zones, about 10% of the rental fees for the hunting area are traditionally allocated to local communities for infrastructure or development.Important Legal Context
- Protected Species: Hunting of Elephants, Gorillas, Chimpanzees, and Leopards is prohibited. Gabon is a global leader in forest conservation and maintains some of the strictest anti-poaching laws in the Congo Basin.
- Restricted Areas: Most legal hunting occurs in private concessions or specific "pilot" zones like the Lékedi Ranch or forest concessions near the Congo border.
- Economic Impact: Overall, trophy hunting is a minor contributor to Gabon's GDP compared to oil, timber, and photographic ecotourism. The government prioritizes "low-impact, high-value" tourism to protect its vast national park system.
Love the argument that they provide food for villages. Pretty sure people there have weapons and can take down these animals just as easily. What I'm sure is happening is that locals are not allowed to hunt them without a license that cost thousands of dollars because that is the system these rich ***** helped create. They are the solution to a problem of their own creation.
So not only do they get to kill these animals for their own amusement/ego, but they also believe themselves to be the white savior to all these people. The whole thing is so stupid.
