The Stream

Trophy hunters: Killers or conservationists?

Killing of Cecil the lion polarises debate over whether hunting animals saves lives.

When an American dentist illegally killed a prized Zimbabwean lion named Cecil, hundreds of thousands of people responded with outrage online. #CecilTheLion and #JusticeForCecil trended for days, calling for the dentist’s arrest and an end to trophy hunting. But hunting proponents say it plays an important role in conservation, preserving land for wildlife and generating money to protect them. On the brink of the world’s sixth mass extinction, how can humans strike the right balance between conservation and killing? Join us on Thursday at 19:30 GMT.

 

In this episode of The Stream, we speak with:

 

Paula Kahumbu @paulakahumbu
CEO, Wildlife Direct
wildlifedirect.org

 

Fran Read @francesread1
Conservation biologist

 

Ben Carter
Executive Director, Dallas Safari Club
biggame.org

 

Emmanuel Fundira
President, Safari Operators Association of Zimbabwe
soaz.net

 

What do you think? Leave your thoughts in the comments section below.