Minister Of Tourism and Arts Jean Kapata has lifted the ban on hunting in the 19 hunting blocks with immediate effect. Ms Kapata made the announcement at a press briefing held at the Ministry of Tourism head office in Lusaka this morning.
She however said that the hunting will be conducted under laid down conditions and strict supervision from ZAWA. But that the ban on big Cats still stands. Hunting in the said blocks was suspended in 2013 due to inability to select outfitters in these blocks arising from a flawed process in the tender.
Hunting of Lions and other cats was banned on understanding that their populations were depleted to such low levels that it was not sustainable to hunt them.
She has also appealed to everyone to assist government and ZAWA in the conservation of the wildlife and its habitat in Zambia. She said that Zambia prides itself in having arguably the richest bio-diversity on the continent, which we all should guard against depletion..
Article by: The Zambia Wildlife Authority
Please note that we are not the Zambia Tourism Board and don’t make these policy decisions. We are a private organization dedicated to providing information about travel and tourism in Zambia.
UPDATE: Here is ZAWA’s response to this press release: https://www.zambiatourism.com/zawa-explains-hunting-ban-lift
Is money more important than your children’s future? Will they only learn about these magnificent animal from books and computers and not have the pleasure to see them in real life? What the hell are you thinking? Please, please revoke the lifting of the ban. I am sharing this so that the word is spread!!!
It is clear that lifting this ban is a decision that has all the hallmarks of big money all wrapped up in the big Con that s \\’conservation.\\’ This appalling decision will in no way help the elephants but will appease those individuals in certain countries looking to adorn their walls with beheaded animal species that are already having a rough deal thanks to humans. Be aware that as long as Zambia refuses to protect its vulnerable wild animal species, I will never visit your country.
What qualifies you and furthermore, gives you the right to flip the switch on God’s creatures?
The funny thing being, the worst hunters in Zambia are the missionaries. And by worst I mean they are the ones with houses literally dripping with skulls, horns, skins, trophies, etc.
As you can see from these comments and from the Zambia facebook pages, this decision was possibly the most stupid in Zambia’s recent history, after the amazing decision to ban trophy hunting last year this asinine woman has reversed it for no discernable reason, I can only assume she’s been bought by a rich hunting lobby. Where are their thanks for this decision? Nowhere. I for one will not be choosing Zambia for my safari holiday next year. You use elephants to promote tourism but you are selling them to the highest bidder for slaughter, for a laugh. Not well done.
Even though you say that you have no decision-making power in policy one would think that tourism is extremely important to your country. That, alone, should give you some power. People come to see the wildlife. If hunters are allowed to murder your money-makers then how long will tourists come? While the entire world is trying to stop the slaughter of one of the most intelligent beings on the planet, (perhaps smarter than humans), your government is working to make short term gain through greed. Please, at least, try to speak up for these near-humans because, if you don’t, you will be one of the few organizations on earth, in a country that houses these beings, that isn’t. For the sake of us all, human and animal, do what is right. We haven’t much time! Show that you have a conscience.
Well said Tess – I totally agree!!!!!!! I will not visit there either. I am trying to help elephants in both Africa and India and this is so disturbing to me. Do these people not realize what a wonderful gift they have????? Idiots!
How the PM can allow this tragedy and speak about conserving the biodiversity is beyond me. History has taught us that those involved in this type of venture are incapable of being responsible. This is a very bad decision.
HOW CAN ZAMBIA ALLOW THE SLAUGHTER OF ELEPHANTS ON ITS LAND? ELEPHANTS ARE SENSITIVE, HIGHLY INTELLIGENT SOCIAL ANIMALS, WHO MOURN THEIR DEAD! THEY ARE BEING SLAUGHTERED INTO OBLIVION BY THE VILE IVORY TRADE. ZAMBIA NEEDS TO IMPLEMENT THE BAN ON THE KILLING OF THESE BEAUTIFUL MAJESTIC ANIMALS. I AM GOING TO BOYCOTT ZAMBIA AND VISIT ONLY COUNTRIES WHERE LEGAL POACHING (AKA HUNTING) IS BANNED.
SHAME ON YOU ZAMBIA FOR THIS TERRIBLE DECISION.
So not South Africa? Somehow I highly doubt that.
This is deplorable and disgusting. Anything for the almighty dollar. You might think you are helping the economy of your country, but when the last of these animals is gone, you will have to find something else to exploit and destroy. I will spend my tourism dollars elsewhere and work to make sure everyone I know does the same.
I would plead with you to encourage the use of cameras rather than lethal weapons in order to preserve the existing animals.
Our elephants are in enough danger of extinction when hunting them is illegal! Why would anyone condone killing such a magnificent animal that\’s population is threatened????!!! I truly hope this decision is revoked. If they continue I hope people boycott visiting their country until it is! Stop the killing of elephants before it is too late!!!
STOP KILLING ELEPHANTS AND ALL WILDLIFE IN AFRICA . . .
This is such a devastating act of inhumanity….how can you make a barbaric decision.? There is a special place for people like your kind in eternity….it\\’s CALLED HELL !! I can\\’t believe this is happening….STOP THE KILLING NOW
The ban needs to be in place to protect these endangered species. There is no need to hunt them. No population control is needed. No lives should be taken. To not stand and protect these animals would be failing.
I cannot believe that the hunting ban has been lifted. How can you not appreciate and treasure your wildlife. Additionally it is a major draw card for tourism now and in the future. You’re on s position of power do not use it for your own interests. The world is watching.
I am utterly saddened and disgusted with the decision to lift a ban on the hunt for elephants. Its barbaric that these majestic creatures are being slaughtered . What you are doing is evil and immoral. You should be protecting them. Your a disgrace.
Cross me and any of my associates off the list of people who would visit your country. This decision is a travesty of epic proportions. How dare you put these animals back in the line of fire so you can profit. Think twice and make the compassionate and right decision.
NO HUNTING OF ELEPHANTS!
Horrible, horrible decision !!! I lived in Zambia for 4 years in the late70’s and it is still to this day the most memorable years of my life. You have in your wildlife a treasure that you need to nurture, guard and defend against poaching and hunting. It is just unbelievable to me that you have reversed this ban. My dream is to come back to visit your beautiful country, but I will not set foot on Zambian soil until hunting once again has been made illegal !
While the rest of the world bans ivory in order to protect wild elephants and rhinos, Zambia lifts the ban on hunting??? Please, explain what the thinking is here, when your wildlife is by far your greatest asset, your biggest tourist draw? Without these majestic animals, there is no tourism; without tourism, there is no revenue…are you really that short-sighted that you would kill off these animals who are not yours to kill? I am deeply, deeply disappointed and I must tell you that the trip of my lifetime that I’ve been planning with a group of friends to visit your great country will not be taking place…I do NOT support trophy hunting of any kind, least of all for endangered species, which is what many of these animals are.