ENGL 1711 03

The Hunt for Conservation

Comment by Mary Crispin: A title page is required for your research paper. It has to include your name, my name, the name and section of the class, and the date. This will replace the information on the upper left hand side of the first page.

Sean McCauley

Mary Crispin

English 1711-01

07/24/2018

McCauley 1 Comment by Mary Crispin: Use this page numbering format with your last name, one space, and the number of the page itself. Note that it’s not a running header. Your title page does not get numbered. You can type page numbers manually or use a header.

The Hunt for Conservation

Trophy Hunting – an ethically and scientifically charged topic these days. There are many great arguments against this seemingly barbaric, brutal sport, but can it be used to an advantage? Can the killing of big game animals in Africa benefit conservation and humanitarian efforts? The answer is, yes. Trophy hunting has clear, positive impacts when properly regulated and managed. It can be a powerful conservation tool and has been proven to bolster populations over time. It gives financial incentive to maintain and protect habitats from poaching and other harmful activities. Although the sport presents many moral issues, its benefits as a conservation tool make it too useful to be banned. Comment by Mary Crispin: Your thesis should be stated directly at the end of the introduction. It should not include a personal reference or make a claim about what your paper is going to show or do. It should begin with a reference to the opposition “Although the sport presents many moral issues…” and end with your position, “its benefits as a conservation tool make it too useful to be banned.”

It's no mystery that trophy hunting has a bad reputation. The ethical dilemma that it creates is clear. Many view this type of hunting as unnecessary and claim that it is one of the chief causes of species extinction. Jane Goodall, a renowned animal rights activist, has had experience in the field of endangered animal studies. The Encyclopaedia Britannica describes her life and career in depth in a biographical article titled, "Jane Goodall." Jane left school at an early age to specifically study chimps in an area of Tanzania called the Gombe Stream Game Reserve. This was the start of her career and she quickly made a name for herself. She was so exceptional that she was given a Ph.D in ethology. The most interesting part about her Ph.D. is that she did not first attain an A.B. This is a rare occurrence ("Jane Goodall"). Jane has enormous credibility in the field of animal studies and is well respected. She has written other articles on the subject of animal extinction, but one in particular covers the negative impacts of Trophy Hunting. In her article titled, "Hunting Contributes to Animal Species Extinction", she claims that a key issue with trophy hunting is its effect on gene pools. She urges that often times Comment by Mary Crispin: The first body paragraph should describe the first point of opposition. It should be developed and explained.

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healthy, robust animals are shot, thus altering the genetic traits that are passed on from generation to generation. She reminds readers that this impedes the natural selection process and can have effects on entire ecosystems ("Hunting Contributes to Animal Species"). Jane makes a good argument against trophy hunting. She clearly feels that no amount of animal hunting can be useful, and trophy hunting targets animals which are stronger and healthier. On top of this, many people adamantly oppose the idea of killing animals purely for sport or for "bragging rights." But is this the chief cause of animal extinction or are there other factors at play?

Despite the detriment that trophy hunting can sometimes bring to animal populations, it is not the chief cause of species extinction. Other factors such as poaching, habitat loss, and conflict with local populations are more destructive. Poaching is especially destructive due to its criminal nature. Dr. Amy Dickman, a conservation biologist, writes a compelling article on the subject titled, "Ending Trophy Hunting Could Actually Be Worse for Endangered Species." Amy makes her argument by pointing out that putting an end to trophy hunting would in fact contribute to a faster decline in lion populations in Africa. She urges that land sequestered for trophy hunting is vital to conservation, and protects species from poachers, habitat loss, etc. She also emphasizes that if trophy hunting is banned, the land used for hunting could fall into the wrong hands. She urges that it must be repurposed with conservation in mind ("Ending Trophy Hunting Could Actually"). Poaching and the illegal ivory trade have devastated wildlife in Africa. Trophy hunting, paradoxically, protects the animals by creating a financial incentive to save land for the sport. Christian Kiffner, a writer for The University of Michigan School of Natural Resources, talks about these incentives in his article titled, "African Lions and the Trophy Hunting Dilemma." He states that for one African country, a minimum 3-week safari Comment by Mary Crispin: The second body paragraph should have a topic sentence that makes it clear you are going to be responding to the previous point on the opposition side.

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must be booked in order to participate in a trophy hunt. Christian shares information about his source Whitman in 2002, "Clients pay a minimum of US $30,000--$50,000 for such a safari" ("African Lions and the Trophy"). Despite the article's overall opposition to trophy hunting, it shows how much money people are willing to pay for a "trophy." In an economically unstable region such as Africa, it's obvious that many citizens will jump on the opportunity to make that kind of money. Regardless of the law, people will shoot animals for sport or material gain. Trophy hunting should be regulated and controlled to benefit conservation.

Corruption in Africa is another issue facing regulated trophy hunting. Can governments be trusted to properly manage the sport? In some cases, no. Africa News Service is a non-profit, US stationed firm. In its article titled, "Donald Trump Reverses Course on Trophy Hunting, Reimposes Obama-Era Ban", it talks about corruption in Africa more specifically. This article outlines the reason why Trump decided to reinstate a ban on the importation of animal parts from trophy hunts. The article points out that corruption within Zimbabwe's government and a recent military coup were factors in the decision. There was also a public outcry to reverse the proposal ("Donald Trump Reverses Course on"). Essentially, the US does not trust that Zimbabwe will safely manage and regulate trophy hunting. This is probably true of many other African countries where poor conservation efforts and government corruption are rampant. Until these countries can create solid conservation programs, trophy hunting will not be different from outright poaching. Comment by Mary Crispin: The next body paragraph should explain the second point of opposition.

Although government corruption is a clear stumbling block towards successful trophy hunting, there have been instances where the sport has been implemented successfully. Fred Comment by Mary Crispin: This paragraph makes it clear in the topic sentence its purpose is to respond to the second point of opposition.

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Nelson, a writer for Endangered Species Update and National Geographic, gives two great examples of proper regulation in his article, "Black Rhinoceros Trophy Hunting and Conservation in South Africa: Implications of Recent Policy Changes." The first example describes white rhino conservation efforts between 1968 and 1996. During this period, white rhino trophy hunts produced $24 million, and conservation efforts brought the species from Appendix I to Appendix II (Appendix I & II describe the type of protection animals will receive from over-exploitation. Appendix II is a positive increase from Appendix I). The population of white rhinos when this article was written (2006) was up to 11,000. Most of the population is in South Africa. The reason for this incredible increase comes from private land owners creating space for the animals. The incentive for creating the space comes from trophy hunting. The next example is of successful black rhino hunting in both South Africa and Namibia. The key to their success was only hunting non-reproductive male rhinos. These animals can be sold for up to $200,000, and the profits can be pumped back into conservation efforts and local economies ("Black Rhinoceros Trophy Hunting and"). This provides a powerful example of trophy hunting being used as a conservation tool.

Poaching has, for many years, been a serious issue in Africa. It drives numerous species towards the brink of extinction. The article titled "Poaching", by the Environmental Encyclopedia, shares some startling information on the subject. It estimates the poaching market to be anywhere from 15-20 billion dollars globally. Countries struggling economically, like Africa, are at great risk for excessive poaching ("Poaching"). This figure is staggering and shows how prolific the market for illegal animal parts has become. Many in Chinese culture believe that rhino horn has special homeopathic qualities. Ivory, from elephant tusk, is used in sculptures and Comment by Mary Crispin: Once two points of opposition have been developed and addressed, there can be additional paragraphs that advance your paper’s point.

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artwork. With such a high demand for animal products globally, how can the killing of these species be stopped? Better protection from both government and private land holders. One of the ways to receive protection for the animals are financial incentives, particularly trophy hunting. This may sound counterintuitive, but it has had successful applications. In her article titled, "Ending Trophy Hunting Could Actually Be Worse for Endangered Species", Amy Dickman writes: "the most important benefit from an African conservation perspective is that trophy hunting maintains vast areas of land for wildlife" ("Ending Trophy Hunting Could Actually"). Without trophy hunting, many private land owners would revert to other uses for their territory, such as agriculture. This would open the door for poaching and illegal trade of the animals. In a very literal way, trophy hunting creates a financial reason for animals to be protected.

There are many valid points against trophy hunting. For starters, most people seem to resent the idea of killing animals for sport. I agree with some of their sentiments. However, there is a bigger picture. Poaching, loss of habitat, and local conflicts are all principle causes of animal extinction. Trophy hunting, on the other hand, can be strictly regulated and controlled by local governments. It can aid in conservation by creating an incentive to protect animals and their habitats. Without this seemingly grotesque sport, many private and government land holders would find other uses for their countryside, thus putting Africa's beautiful animals in even greater danger. Comment by Mary Crispin: A formal conclusion summarizes the main ideas of the paper and stresses the writer’s thesis.

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Works Cited

Dickman, Amy. "Ending Trophy Hunting Could Actually Be Worse for Endangered Species." CNN Wire, 24 Nov. 2017. Opposing Viewpoints In Context, http://link.galegroup.com.sptproxy.mnpals.net/apps/doc/A515510922/OVIC?u=saintpaul_edu&sid=OVIC&xid=a355b303. Accessed 17 July 2018. Comment by Mary Crispin: The Works Cited page is always on its own page even if there is room on the last page of your paper after the conclusion. The list is organized alphabetically according to the author’s last name or the first word of the title, not including “the”.

"Donald Trump Reverses Course on Trophy Hunting, Reimposes Obama-Era Ban." Africa News Service, 19 Nov. 2017. Opposing Viewpoints In Context, http://link.galegroup.com.sptproxy.mnpals.net/apps/doc/A514968231/OVIC?u=saintpaul_edu&sid=OVIC&xid=e0d8c4df. Accessed 17 July 2018. Comment by Mary Crispin: Each of the sources listed on the Works Cited page have to be included within the paper itself.

The Editors of Encylopaedia Britannica. "Jane Goodall." Published by: Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc. Date: March 27th, 2018. URL: https://www.britannica.com/biography/Jane-Goodall Accessed: July 24th,2018

Goodall, Jane. "Hunting Contributes to Animal Species Extinction." Hunting, edited by Dawn Laney, Greenhaven Press, 2008. Opposing Viewpoints. Opposing Viewpoints In Context, http://link.galegroup.com.sptproxy.mnpals.net/apps/doc/EJ3010504219/OVIC?u=saintpaul_edu&sid=OVIC&xid=9b1135ed. Accessed 17 July 2018. Originally published as "Wildlife Trade Is Driving Species to Extinction," International Herald Tribune, 13 Oct. 2004.

Kiffner, Christian. "African Lions and the Trophy Hunting Dilemma." Endangered Species Update, vol. 25, no. 1, 2008, p. 3+. Opposing Viewpoints In Context, http://link.galegroup.com.sptproxy.mnpals.net/apps/doc/A222313499/OVIC?u=saintpaul_edu&sid=OVIC&xid=40b036bf. Accessed 19 July 2018.

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Nelson, Fred. "Black Rhinoceros Conservation and Trophy Hunting in Southern Africa: implications of recent policy changes." Endangered Species Update, vol. 23, no. 2, 2006, p. 69+. Opposing Viewpoints In Context, http://link.galegroup.com.sptproxy.mnpals.net/apps/doc/A200504992/OVIC?u=saintpaul_edu&sid=OVIC&xid=cd23a1e1. Accessed 17 July 2018.

"Poaching." Environmental Encyclopedia, edited by Deirdre S. Blanchfield, Gale, 2011. Opposing Viewpoints In Context, http://link.galegroup.com.sptproxy.mnpals.net/apps/doc/CV2644151077/OVIC?u=saintpaul_edu&sid=OVIC&xid=e3e63103. Accessed 17 July 2018.