In Part 1 of this short series, we unpacked the meaning of terminology relating to biodiversity and conservation. In this issue, we look at how hunting can contribute to the conservation of our natural capital (biodiversity).
South Africa has created a sustainable hunting environment that supports a long tradition of hunting by residents and international hunting tourists. This is markedly different from other African countries where hunting is often limited to outfitted hunting safaris; there are few resident hunters and the focus is primarily on international hunters bringing in foreign revenue. There is limited hunting in some parts of Africa simply because the law does not allow for it and/or local hunters are few and far between. Nonoutfitted safaris hunting in these areas are normally limited to subsistence hunting, or the illegal bushmeat trade that is prevalent across the continent. Unregulated and poorly regulated hunting presents a significant threat to the survival of huntable large game from which revenue can be accrued to support local economies and conservation. It cannot be denied that hunting concessions in many parts, especially the Southern African states, are the only source of revenue-generating options for
