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The Debate On Hippo Trade: An Overview
The trade in hippo parts, while not as extensive as that for larger animals like elephants and rhinos, remains a contentious issue. While some experts argue that regulated trophy hunting can have conservation benefits, others view it as a threat to the rapidly declining hippo population. In this article, we explore the perspectives of different stakeholders on the controversy surrounding hippo trade.
The Local View: Hippo Parts Not A Major Incentive For Killing
According to wildlife trade expert Crawford Allan of the World Wildlife Fund, hippo parts like teeth and skin are not lucrative enough to be the main incentive for the animals’ killing. He notes that in Africa, “nobody wastes anything,” so the meat, skin, teeth, and skull are all valuable and often sold to taxidermy collectors. Thus, hippo parts are usually a byproduct of killing animals for other reasons, such as when they pose a danger to a community.
This view is echoed by other experts who cite examples like the hippo population decline in the Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. During times of civil unrest and war, people ate the hippo meat to survive.
The Trade Perspective: Hippo Parts Form A Small Part of the Illicit Wildlife Trade
Dr. Rebecca Lewison, a biologist from San Diego State University, notes that while hippo parts are sometimes found in wildlife trafficking seizures, they are not a significant driver of the illegal wildlife trade. The trade in more valuable products like elephant ivory and rhino horn is what sustains the trade. An analysis by Humane Society International (HSI) found that between 2008 and 2019, the US imported 2,074 hippo hunting trophies, while other countries imported another 2,000. However, the HSI could not link the import of these legally traded parts to declines in hippo populations.
The Conservation View: Regulated Trophy Hunting Can Have Conservation Benefits
Paul Scholte, a member of the Hippo Specialist Group based in Ethiopia, notes that regulated trophy hunting can benefit hippo populations. In northern Cameroon, for instance, he conducted and published surveys that show declines in government-run conservation areas and stable or increasing populations in areas leased by private trophy-hunting outfitters. Scholte believes that the year-round presence of protection from rangers or scouts is crucial for the stability of hippo populations. Trophy-hunting companies are often better funded and more motivated to protect their concession areas from poachers and illegal gold miners.
The Policy Divide: African Countries Have Different Perspectives on Wildlife Trade Bans
Hippo populations in southern and eastern African countries tend to be larger and better managed than those in Central and West Africa. Consequently, authorities in the latter regions generally favor wildlife trade bans that they believe will discourage the poaching of their already vulnerable populations. However, countries in southern and East Africa argue that their populations can sustain hunting and commercial trade to fund wildlife conservation.
Conclusion
The trade in hippo parts, while not as large as that for other animals, remains a contentious issue globally. Some stakeholders believe that regulated hunting can benefit hippo populations, but others view it as a threat to the vulnerable species. A lack of agreement on conservation policies on hippo trade has resulted in friction between African countries. Regulatory authorities and conservationists need to address the issue of hippo trade collectively to determine a sustainable solution.
FAQ
Q. What is the view of wildlife experts on hippo trade?
A. Some experts argue that hippo parts like teeth and skin are not lucrative enough to be the primary incentive for killing hippos. However, others believe that the trade is a significant threat to the population, especially in vulnerable regions like Central and West Africa.
Q. What is the US’s role in hippo trade?
A. The US imported over 2,000 hippo hunting trophies between 2008 and 2019. While legal trade in hippo parts does occur, no evidence links legal trophic hunting to declines in hippo populations.
Q. Does regulated trophy hunting help in conservation?
A. Regulated trophy hunting, according to some experts, stabilizes hippo populations’ decline in areas where private outfitters have concession rights. However, others view the hunting of hippos as an incentive for killing them.
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