Minister Mthimkhulu will always be esteemed for his dedication and enthusiasm when protecting wildlife and the freedom to hunt. A minister who worked closely with wildlife stakeholders, he sought opportunities for dialogue between governments and local communities to find mutually beneficial resolutions that reinforce the right to hunt while conserving Botswana’s natural resources.

“SCI and SCIF extend our sincerest condolences to Minister Mthimkhulu’s family and friends as well as to the Government of Botswana and its people,” said SCI/SCIF CEO W. Laird Hamberlin. “His passing is a loss to all who care about conserving Botswana’s natural resources.”

Mthimkhulu’s example and dedication are his legacy to future generations wishing to protect the environment and wildlife diversity. SCI remains a close partner with Botswana, standing ready to support and contribute to the conservation of its wildlife and wild places.

The post SCI Mourns Passing of Botswana Minister of Environment & Tourism Dumezweni Mthimkhulu appeared first on Safari Club.

The workshop kicked off with a training session on the use of bear spray and a practical exercise of deploying bear spray on “Robo Bear”. This is a cooperative grizzly bear conflict mitigation program including the SCI Foundation and the state wildlife management agencies of both Wyoming and Montana. The program currently has two training simulators with plans to add one additional simulator in western Montana. The program utilizes an educational presentation combined with a practical training simulation to train and prepare participants to react properly and effectively deploy deterrent spray in the event of a bear encounter. This training for back country visitors is designed to minimize conflicts, and injury to both bears and humans. The presentation was expertly provided by Bear Wise/Conflict Mitigation Specialist Mark Aughton with the Wyoming Game and Fish Department. The training was highly educational and applicable to all who participated.  

A robust conversation was held regarding Executive Order (EO) 14026 and the requirements increasing the minimum wage and overtime provisions for contractors utilizing federal lands as a part of their guiding and outfitting operations. The financial implications of EO 14026 have resounding financial impacts on all outfitters utilizing federal lands. If the EO is implemented fully, hunters utilizing outfitters will see a significant increase in the cost of guided hunts or many operators no longer provide those services.

Chronic Wasting Disease updates and developments were shared by the group.  Recent research demonstrating a strong species barrier between humans and CWD was discussed. Those research findings will be shared with the attendees.  

Staff SCI attorney Regina Lennox provided a legal and legislative overview of current issues being addressed by SCI. Guide and Outfitter Liaison Scott Talbott provided an overview of the SCI convention and the G&O program update.  

Many other subjects of mutual interest such as management of large carnivores, political influences on boards and commissions, resident and nonresident license allocation and their affect on business opportunities, trapping and hunting bans, user day fee administration and use for BLM and USFS lands business opportunities for associations. 

The beautiful Wind River Mountain range provided an outstanding backdrop for the meeting and provided all a variety of hiking, fishing, and sight-seeing opportunities before and after the daily presentations. A sincere thanks to all who attended and helped make the conference a huge success!

The post SCI and the Wyoming Outfitters and Guides Association Host the 2024 North American Outfitter and Guide Workshop appeared first on Safari Club.

Namibia has a thriving sustainable use conservation model, with successful community governance, government management, and private landowner structures. The sustainable utilization of wildlife, particularly through hunting, has led to one of the best conservation success stories in the world. Namibia, alongside Botswana, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, South Africa, and Zambia, have the highest populations of elephant, giraffe, lion, and white and black Rhino. In fact, Namibia and South Africa are home to over 90% of the white rhino population and over 70% of the black rhino population, thanks in large part to the sustainable hunting model. Funds from conservation tourism are reinvested back into communities, providing employment, food security, health and educational services, and more, benefiting approximately 220,000 Namibians. Over 50% of this revenue comes from hunting. These funds are also reinvested to wildlife and habitat conservation projects and, critically, anti-poaching initiatives. 

Even with Namibia’s and southern Africa’s conservation success, there is more work to be done to support sustainable use conservation and rural livelihoods. This year’s Forum will bring together representatives from Botswana, Cameroon, Eswatini, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe to discuss top priorities for the region. The agenda includes presentations from the experts as well as group discussions on the status of conservation and hunting, elephant and rhino management, the potential for a wildlife economy, community-based natural resource management, communications, professional operator associations, SCIF conservation project updates, and a look-ahead to the CITES SC77 and CoP20.

Each year, the AWCF provides a critical venue that brings together the most important voices to discuss the biggest threats to conservation and the potential for innovation in the region. SCI Foundation and SCI extend a sincere thank you to the Namibian government, communities, and associations, particularly the Namibia Ministry of Environment and Tourism, the Namibian Association of CBNRM Support Organizations, and the Namibia Professional Hunting Association as we look forward to our continued partnership in conservation. 

Stay tuned next week for all updates on AWCF in Windhoek! 

The post Namibia to Host African Wildlife Consultative Forum appeared first on Safari Club.

Anti-poaching efforts are always an important topic at AWCF, including at last year’s forum in Mozambique. Anti-poaching was spotlighted through a presentation led by Greyling Van der Merwe, the anti-poaching manager at Mayo Oldiri Safaris in Cameroon. In addition to being a unique and important hunting destination, Cameroon is the most engaged of the central and western African countries with AWCF sending representatives almost every year.  Greyling’s presentation highlighted the immense poaching issues in their areas and their diverse ways of tackling them – describing his efforts as “a daily war”.  

Mayo Oldiri Safaris, owned by the Reguera family, is the largest hunting company in Cameroon and thus at the forefront of anti-poaching initiatives. Throughout their hunting area, they face illegal loggers and crop farmers destroying plants and animals; cattle herds destroying valuable vegetation and habitat; fishermen poisoning water sources to catch fish; loggers, illegal settlers, and gold prospectors poaching meat to survive in the bush; and organized commercial meat poachers supplying local markets. This is only exacerbated by the abandonment of many hunting areas, leaving them unguarded and vulnerable to exploitation. Based on his experiences on the ground, Greyling estimates only 15% – 20% of animal offtake in hunting areas is hunted legally, the rest are illegally poached.

As with many areas in southern Africa, the root cause of poaching is catalyzed by the struggles of local people to find employment and food security. One way that Mayo Oldiri Safaris tackles this complex issue is through strong collaboration with cultural and traditional authorities, local authorities, and national parks. It is important to use a multi-pronged approach that includes both direct counter-poachingf (e.g., law enforcement) and addressing the root causes of poaching through community engagement. In order for local communities to value wildlife – and in turn, lead in reducing poaching – they must benefit from the sustainable use of wildlife. Mayo Oldiri Safaris has in turn focused on the betterment of the communities, by focusing on healthcare and education through projects such as building a hospital with most-needed care capabilities and education campaigns with local leaders and in schools focused on the value of wildlife.  Their armed anti-poaching teams remove traps and snares, destroy poaching camps, and conduct vehicle and foot patrols; in addition to the benefits to habitat and wildlife, this provides employment to and personal investment from the communities. If local people are helped, and not harmed, by wildlife and habitat, then they will protect it. 

Hunting provides the resources, food security, employment, anti-poaching teams, and conservation efforts desperately needed in these areas. Resources and funds are scarce, the areas are vast, and poachers outnumber anti-poaching teams. Without hunting, there is no one  to protect the ecosystem and no incentives for local people to value wildlife. The realities on the ground are far different than many Western views of wildlife and developing areas; it is our responsibility to support proven conservation strategies and listen to those closest to wildlife.

For more information on Mayo Oldiri Safaris’ anti-poaching efforts, subscribe to PATROL – a newsletter featuring the anti-poaching work of safari operations across Africa and read the article by Raquel Reguera here: https://www.patrolling.org/mayo-oldiri-anti-poaching-operations-in-cameroon/?ref=patrol-newsletter

Information on next year’s AWCF to be held in Namibia coming soon!

The post Anti-Poaching Efforts Highlighted at AWCF appeared first on Safari Club.

The post International Wildlife Museum’s 35th Anniversary appeared first on Safari Club.

SCI Foundation is well-known for being the most active hunter-led wildlife conservation movement around. Education around conservation is just as essential as performing the actual work on the ground. but a lesser-known priority at SCI Foundation is Humanitarian Service. I’ve heard some say it’s an area that doesn’t align with our mission, and I want to address both why we prioritize it and what we’re doing with it.

If you’ve paid any attention at all to our wildlife conservation messaging, you know we stand strongly in support of community-based management of wildlife and natural resources. Community benefits are essential to global wildlife conservation success.

To provide a simple example: you’ve likely seen stories of watermelon farmers in Africa poisoning an entire herd of elephants just so they can grow their watermelons without destruction and turn a profit from their farm. When hunting is introduced to that community, the watermelon farmer is still in charge of farming watermelons, but now he encourages elephants to thrive in the area because he knows a hunter will pay to hunt a single elephant. Part of that money goes to the farmer and their community, and the rest of the elephant herd continues to repopulate. This is an example of a community benefit. Because of hunting, the community benefits.

Without hunting, wildlife is sometimes less tolerable to the communities that live with them. This principle can be applied all over the globe, and these benefits can express themselves in various ways. Community benefit is the reason SCI Foundation is involved in Humanitarian Service, not only because it feels good to spread good fortune, but also because it makes different communities more understanding and appreciative of hunting when they see a direct benefit from having hunters on their land.

SCI Foundation has five primary humanitarian vehicles for different communities around the world:

1) BELL FAMILY BLUE BAGS. SCI Foundation donors cover the globe every year in their hunting pursuits. Named after the late Amy Bell, this program exists to remind people to “pay it forward” especially when hunting in remote areas, as Amy Bell always exemplified. It’s as simple as requesting a duffel bag from SCIF when you’re going on your hunt. Typically, hunters will work with their outfitter to ask what supplies are needed, and these bags are often filled with medical supplies, education supplies, clothing and toys.

2) SPORTSMEN AGAINST HUNGER. Since the program’s inception in 1989, SCI Chapter members have organized community and statewide systems designed to help hunters annually share a portion of their wild game harvest with hungry people. This generosity provides millions of low-fat, low-cholesterol, preservative-free, high-protein meals annually at soup kitchens across the United States.

3) VETERANS HUNTS. SCI Foundation is dedicated to honoring those who give their blood, sweat and lives in the service of their country. We have established a Veterans Committee for Humanitarian Services to oversee assisting veterans in local communities.

OUR GLOBAL MISSION

SCI Foundation has a global mission. The widespread effect we’re able to have with humanitarian service is largely a result of an active chapter network from local SCI Chapters. Properly executing on humanitarian service is a valuable way to make the true heart of hunters known with these unique community benefits. We thank you all who help to make these programs possible, because of the impact they have on our larger mission of promoting hunting to help ensure the future of wildlife.

The post SCIF Humanitarian Mission Reveals Heart of The Hunter appeared first on Safari Club.

CITES, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, regulates trade of wildlife, including hunting trophies of game species’ listed on CITES’ Appendices. Listing on Appendix II indicates that continued, unregulated international trade might threaten a species’ conservation status, while listing on Appendix I indicates that a species is threatened with extinction and is or may be affected by trade. In the United States, many CITES-listed species are also listed under the U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA). In addition to the requirements for trade under CITES, if a species is also listed under the ESA, trade in hunting trophies of such species usually requires that hunting enhances the overall survival of the species, adding another level of complexity to the process. Not only is the ESA outdated and cumbersome, but federal bureaucracy and red tape further complicates the USFWS permitting process; and for several key species like lion and elephant, the import time can take years. 

At AWCF, USFWS representatives provided an overview of this permitting process in the United States and recent updates to their enhancement findings. Rather than determining enhancement from the range state management only, the USFWS looks at harvest location, outfitter practices, use of fees, local laws and regulations, and overall conservation practices like community benefits and anti-poaching. Understanding of this process, from hunter, operator, and range state management authority greatly helps with permitting decisions. The USFWS’s attendance at AWCF over the years has improved US-African relationships, opened dialogue between the various stakeholders, and facilitated real progress in permitting.  

The most important update to AWCF attendees was the status of permit processing for CITES-regulated and ESA-listed species, particularly elephants. Elephant populations, like many other species, benefit from well-regulated hunting. While some parts of Africa, namely protectionist nations in West Africa, have small or no established elephant populations, areas of southern Africa have severe over-concentrations. Elephants, as ecosystem engineers, can significantly change landscapes and when there are too many, actually destroy it. Habitat is overexploited, and trees are wiped out, causing harm to the vegetation and other species. Most importantly, the local communities living alongside this dangerous wildlife suffer the highest cost through loss of human life and property damage. While rural people are left to pay for conflict, the international community remains largely opposed to them benefitting from elephants through hunting and other products. Although hunting elephants is legal in many countries in Africa, it often takes years for USFWS to approve hunting trophy imports due to CITES and ESA requirements. This cumbersome and lengthy process by USFWS deters hunters, which leads to less elephant management, more habitat destruction, and more human-wildlife conflict. 

During their presentation at AWCF, USFWS representatives reported that since October of 2021 they have completed 112 elephant application reviews, mostly from Zimbabwe and Namibia. While this number is significant compared to the near-zero completed in previous years, at least some of those reviews resulted in denials for import applications. Trophy hunting also does very little to address the literal thousands of elephants that need to be managed in countries like Botswana and Zimbabwe. AWCF attendees ranging from community leaders to landowners to scientific authorities criticized the USFWS saying that current lack of action and support from United States is handcuffing the management of African wildlife. Rural Africans must benefit from wildlife to incentivize conservation and sustainable use is the best solution to mitigating conflict and promoting long-term biodiversity.

A positive update is the status of bontebok import processing. Thanks in part to SCI’s advocacy efforts and engagements at SCIF’s AWCF, USFWS is once again issuing permits for the importation of sport-hunted bontebok, an endangered-listed species under the ESA. After a years-long delay in processing permit applications, USFWS is now working through a backlog of applications and approving those that meet certain requirements. Moving forward, most hunters who apply to import a bontebok will likely receive a permit to do so. This progress was solidified by a USFWS field visit to South African bontebok ranches following the AWCF conference. 

In conjunction with AWCF meetings, USFWS representatives are able to make important site visits to see on-the-ground conservation work of hunting operators. While CITES and the ESA requirements slow down the import process, the avoidable bureaucracy of US government agencies is an equal culprit. Therefore, it is critical for USFWS technical staff to meet with their African peers and understand the realities of wildlife management on the ground. AWCF remains the leading conference in this matter. We thank the USFWS for their participation and encourage them to listen to the people closest to African wildlife. 

Next week, a delegation from SCI and SCIF will travel to Panama for CITES’ 19^th Conference of the Parties (CoP). This CoP will decide the listing status of several species relevant to hunting and sustainable use. SCI/F’s top issues are the proposal to transfer Hippopotamus from Appendix II to Appendix I (opposed); transfer Appendix II listed elephant population to Appendix I (opposed); transfer Namibia’s population of Southern White Rhino from Appendix I to Appendix II (support); and a proposal for participatory mechanisms for rural communities in CITES (support). As we see every year at AWCF, these decisions have direct effects on people and animals in Africa. International bodies must listen to Africa’s voice first. 

SCI and SCI Foundation will continue to be leaders in sustainable use policy and look forward to the work ahead at CITES and beyond. Stay tuned for updates from Panama! 

More information on CITES and SCI/F’s involvement can be found here

The post Update from the USFWS and CITES Look-Ahead appeared first on Safari Club.

What is CITES?

The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) is a multi-lateral environmental agreement that regulates international trade in wildlife, including hunting trophies.  CITES has 184 Parties, consisting of 183 countries and the European Union.  The treaty came into effect in 1973 and is somewhat different from many other treaties between sovereign nations because non-government organizations (NGOs) concerned with one or more species of flora and fauna or involved in wildlife conservation may participate at the various CITES meetings as observers.  Only Parties can vote and make decisions, but non-state actors such as NGOs can influence the process.  Every 3 years, the Parties meet at a Conference of the Parties (CoP), CITES’ main governing body.  Between CoPs, CITES has three permanent Committees—Animals, Plants, and Standing—that each meet several times during each cycle.  At each CoP, the Parties decide whether to list (or downlist) species that have met certain biological criteria which indicate that continued, unregulated international trade in the species might threaten its conservation status (listing on Appendix II) or endanger it (listing on Appendix I).  The CoP also represents the culmination of work done by the CITES Secretariat and Committees since the previous CoP—work that typically addresses interpretation of Convention text, reviews of listed species, and other issues regarding administration and implementation of the treaty.  

Although international export and import of hunting trophies from listed species is generally not prohibited because they are not traded for primarily commercial purposes—rather, trophies are for personal use—tourist hunting and trade in trophies are regularly the most controversial and emotive topics of discussion at CITES meetings.  Elephant, rhino, lion, and other iconic African species eat up by far more meeting time and Party resources than any other species.  SCI and SCIF’s long history of involvement in CITES has helped ensure CITES allows the sustainable use trade of charismatic megafauna and many other species.    

SCI and SCIF’s History with CITES

As far as NGOs go, perhaps none have as extensive a history with CITES as SCI and SCIF.  In 1976, SCI President Andy Oldfield attended the very first CoP as part of the United States’ delegation. In the nearly 50 years since, SCI and SCIF have collectively attended nearly every CoP and scores of Committee meetings.  Few organizations—and fewer pro-sustainable use organizations—can boast of CITES experience comparable to SCI and SCIF’s.  Although the staff for each organization has changed many times over the years, SCI and SCIF are routinely regarded as leaders for the hunting community and in issues related to trade in hunting trophies, including iconic species like African lions, leopards, elephants, rhino, and Asian wild sheep and goats, among other agenda items. 

Both SCI and SCIF staff and board members attend each CoP, Animals Committee, and Standing Committee meetings.  Representatives of both organizations participate in discussions of relevant issues, make interventions on the floor, collaborate with like-minded stakeholders, and try to influence the outcome of debates to protect and advance the interests of SCI members and the hunting community – that being the conservation and livelihood benefits derived from the sustainable use and trade of wildlife resources.  SCI and SCIF coordinate well with other pro-hunting and pro-use groups: European Federation for Hunting and Conservation (FACE), International Council for Game and Wildlife Conservation (CIC), Nordic Hunters’ Alliance, and many others, including organizations that represent aquariums, circuses, and the pet trade. Staff most recently attended the 74^th meeting of the Standing Committee, a key input to the upcoming CoP19. Staff Jeremy Clare, SCI Litigation Counsel and CITES Manager, and Joe Goergen, SCIF Conservation Manager, will lead our delegations in Panama. 

Issues For Consideration at CoP19

For two weeks in November, the 19th Conference of the Parties (CoP19) will be held in Panama City, Panama.  Parties and Observers, like SCI and SCIF, will meet to discuss, among many other documents, species listing proposals and decide whether to adopt or reject each. Of the numerous species proposals in the CoP’s overly protectionist agenda, only 9 are for less restrictive trade regulations.  For each CoP, SCI and SCIF create a voting guide; read CoP18’s guide here.  For CoP19, proposals of particular interest to SCI and SCIF are:

1. Transfer Hippopotamus from Appendix II to Appendix I.
2. Transfer Appendix II Elephants to Appendix I. 
3. Transfer Namibia’s population of Southern White Rhino from Appendix I to Appendix II with an annotation that would limit trade to hunting trophies and live specimens.
4. Amend the annotation for Appendix II listed Elephants that would allow for commercial trade of ivory. 
5. Remove annotation for Eswatini’s population of Southern White Rhino, which is on Appendix II. 
6. Transfer the Aleutian Cackling Goose from Appendix I to Appendix II.

The hippo proposal will likely be very contentious.  Leading up to CoP19, SCI and SCIF are working with their partners to lobby the Parties to reject the proposal.  The proposals regarding elephant have been proposed at previous CoPs and were rejected then.  The same is true for the rhino proposals.  SCI and SCIF will nevertheless urge the Parties to adopt the proposal to transfer Namibia’s southern white rhino population from Appendix I to Appendix II.  The proposal to transfer Aleutian cackling goose, a hunted species, from Appendix I to Appendix II should pass without objection. We remain active in other important CITES agenda items including the African Carnivore Initiative, quotas for African leopard hunting trophies, and lion. Most importantly, we strongly encourage the inclusion of participatory mechanisms for indigenous peoples and local communities in the CITES process. 

Shared Mission with SCIF’s African Wildlife Consultative Forum

The African Wildlife Consultative Forum (AWCF) is SCIF’s flagship activity in Africa. This year we will be celebrating our 20^th anniversary and preparing for the CITES CoP19 with our African partners and attendees to the forum. 

Regional CITES strategy and the inclusion of rural indigenous communities was the genesis of AWCF two decades ago, integrating Safari Club’s mission and leadership in international sustainable use policy. One of our most significant accomplishments at CITES was the adoption of a definition of “hunting trophy” as separate non-commercial source of trade; this was workshopped through AWCF gatherings and supported by participating Parties. SCIF also hosted a pre-CITES meeting in Maputo, Mozambique in 2016 before the CoP17 in South Africa. 

At the 20^th AWCF this October in the same location of Maputo, Mozambique, CITES will again be the top priority. CITES authorities of national wildlife management agencies from the Southern African Development Community will attend to strategize. SCI and SCIF will also have the opportunity to showcase our sustainable use voting guide, an extensive review of the many CoP19 agenda items with our recommended positions.  

AWCF is a critical step in Africa’s engagement on CITES as a region and with sustainable use observers. AWCF provides an open venue, led by African governments, but equally involving the private hunting industry, community-based organizations, and other NGO observers, to discuss Africa’s priorities at CITES. 

SCI and SCI Foundation look forward to the important work ahead at both AWCF and the CoP19 as we stand both First for Hunters and First for Wildlife. 

For more information, please visit https://www.awcfinfo.org. 

The post Safari Club Prepares for CITES 19th Conference of the Parties appeared first on Safari Club.

The project area consists primarily of privately owned forests and woodlands in the Malpica de Tejo, Monforte de Beira, and Beira Baixa areas of east-central Portugal along the border with Spain. These areas are managed for sustainable production of agricultural and forestry products and support populations of important game species such as red-legged partridge, wild boar, and Iberian red deer. Roe deer were also an important species historically but persist only in small populations currently. This area along the Tagus River provides critical habitat for large birds of prey during migration and wintering periods, including several species listed as being of conservation concern on the IUCN Red List such as Spanish imperial eagle (Vulnerable), cinereous vulture (Near Threatened), and Egyptian vulture (Endangered). Although the area does not currently support Iberian wolves or lynx, these apex predators may expand their range in the future if appropriate habitat conditions exist. Reestablishment of roe deer to the region could provide additional food resources during critical periods of the annual cycle for these species.

To be successful, any wildlife translocation must be based in a scientific assessment of habitat conditions and local knowledge of carrying capacity for the species to be introduced. Therefore, Professor Aurora Monzone from Universidade de Trás-os-Montes and her students will be an important member of the project team. We will start with a systematic assessment of the vegetative community and current roe deer population at several potential sites to determine those most suitable for roe deer introduction. Once the best areas are identified, between 50 and 100 Iberian roe deer from the GeoPark Terras de Cavaleiros in the Trás-os-Montes region of northeastern Portugal will be translocated to acclimation pens where they will be provided food and water. After adjusting to conditions in their new home, the roe deer will be released to establish new and healthy local populations. A portion of the released deer will be fitted with satellite radiocollars to allow monitoring of their movements, survival, and reproduction and this monitoring will continue for several years following initial translocation.

SCIF and the European chapters of SCI are proud to initiate this important conservation project. Funding for the project comes from SCI Foundation, the Hunter Legacy Fund 100 Endowment, the SCI Europe Committee, and the SCI Lusitânia Chapter. This is only one of several conservation efforts underway in Europe as we continue to expand our activities around the world. Hunters and SCI members are at the forefront of supporting conservation efforts, and SCI Foundation remains First for Wildlife in Europe, North America, Africa, and all over the globe.

The post SCI Foundation Expands Conservation Activity in Europe appeared first on Safari Club.

SCI and SCI Foundation have engaged with CITES since the Convention began in the 1970s, advocating for sustainable wildlife trade on behalf of the international hunting industry.  Both organizations continued this long-term advocacy at the recent 74^th Standing Committee (SC74) meeting in Lyon, France March 7 – 11, 2022. 

CITES, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Fauna and Flora, is a multilateral environmental agreement that regulates trade in wildlife and has 184 signatory government Parties. Along with our partners at the European Federation of Associations for Hunting and Conservation, International Council for Game and Wildlife Conservation, and Conservation Force, among others, SCI and SCIF attended SC74, the first in-person CITES meeting since 2019. 

Through the work of SCI and SCIF experts over the years and engagement from our current CITES delegation, hunting trophies are generally recognized as a form of sustainable trade and well regulated. However, there remain many issues to monitor, and it is critical to continually engage with other sustainable use organizations and range states with robust hunting programs.  

Like nearly all CITES meetings, SC74 was overwhelmed with too many agenda items. This is an ongoing trend within CITES as the bureaucratic body attempts to address an increasing number of wildlife-related matters outside the scope of the Convention, including many that remain underfunded or entirely unfunded. Current issues of interest to SCI and SCIF focus on the review of African leopard hunting quotas, guidelines for lion conservation, inclusion of indigenous peoples and local communities impacted by CITES listings in the decision-making process, administrative items with the potential to further impact trade in hunting trophies, and other items that could undermine sustainable use trade regimes.  

CITES unfortunately continues to be a top-down control-minded Convention with a growing influence from Euro-American protectionist NGOs seeking to expand CITES’ role into areas of national wildlife management and even zoonotic disease prevention. Still, it was beneficial for Safari Club’s team to participate in-person, helping to mitigate influence by animal rights groups.

SC74 is the last Committee meeting before the 19^th Conference of the Parties (CoP19), which will be held in Panama City this November. Safari Club and SCI Foundation will once again attend in Panama as we have since the inception of CITES. SCI and SCIF look forward to engaging with the Parties on existing and new issues that will be addressed at CoP19. 

Range states from southern Africa were also well represented in Lyon by the Parties of Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe. SCIF will host its 20^th anniversary African Wildlife Conservation Forum (AWCF) in Maputo, Mozambique before the CoP19 with an agenda dedicated to regional strategy towards CITES.  

The post Safari Club Continues Long-Term Leadership at CITES appeared first on Safari Club.