EMS FOUNDATION COMMENTARY ON THE PROPOSED 2021 LEOPARD HUNTING QUOTA

Export of leopard body parts from South Africa of concern

The export of leopard elephant body parts from South Africa is at an alarmingly high rate and is therefore of concern.
Attached to the submission is information on the number of leopard body parts exported out of South Africa from a single port of exit between the years 2016 and 2020. This Annexure does not include trophies and other body parts of leopards that were re-exported from other African countries via South Africa. The information was obtained via a Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA) request by the EMS Foundation to DFFE in 2021.

(The information is a facsimile as captured by DFFE)

Conclusion

There is a significant absence of information in relation to leopard population numbers and conservation status. This issue is compounded by poor reporting mechanisms and failure of the provincial authorities to convey critical data regarding leopard trophy hunts to the DFFE. In addition, important management mechanisms including final Hunting Norms and Standards, and guidelines for the allocation of trophy hunting quotas, as well as a revised NDF, have not been published for public comment and finalized.

In the circumstances, it appears that the Draft Quota of 10 male leopard over 7 years of age to be trophy hunted in 2021 has been proposed without consideration of critical information which should inform any decision regarding quotas.

Moreover, the reporting and control mechanisms stipulated in the NDF have not been implemented and in that case, the Scientific Authority itself was of the view that leopard trophy hunting and trade could not be declared non-detrimental.

We submit that it is essential that the public be provided with copies of the information which formed the basis of the Minister’s determination of the Draft Quota for leopard, in order that we may meaningfully comment thereon. Absent such information being provided, the only logical conclusion is that the Draft Quota has been determined without taking relevant information into account and is irrational and arbitrary.

Image Credit: Robert J Montvoisin / Professional Hunter: Along the Roads To Adventure and samadelstudios.wordpress.com