A lion hunt in Zimbabwe highlights the importance of regulated wildlife management and parallels to Europe’s wolf debate

The recent debate around the hunting of a lion named “Blondie” by animal rights organisations in Zimbabwe illustrates the complex relationship between wildlife conservation, sustainable hunting, and coexistence between humans and wild animals. According to Tinashe Farawo, spokesperson for the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZIMParks), the hunt “was entirely legal and conducted with all necessary permits.” Germany’s International Council for Game and Wildlife Conservation (CIC) and the German Hunting Association (DJV) have taken this opportunity to emphasise the positive role that regulated hunting plays in conservation.

Hunting funds conservation and saves human lives

In Zimbabwe, regulated hunting generates approximately 20 million US dollars annually, essential for funding otherwise underfunded conservation programmes. This revenue is critical for protecting habitats for around 2,000 wild lions. At the same time, carefully targeted removal of problem animals significantly reduces human-wildlife conflicts. In Africa, people are regularly killed by lion attacks, and livestock losses to predators occur frequently.

ZIMParks: “We do not understand the outrage”

“The lion hunt in question was entirely lawful. It took place under official supervision on private land outside Hwange National Park. We cannot understand the controversy around this hunt,” said Tinashe Farawo from ZIMParks.

Similarities with Europe’s wolf situation

Recent developments in Europe show similar challenges. Due to rising wolf populations and livestock losses, the EU has recently downgraded the wolf’s protection status, prompting Germany to prepare similar management measures. A recent incident involving a suspected wolf attack on a six-year-old child in Utrecht, Netherlands, highlighted the risks of coexistence with wildlife, a daily reality in Africa with species such as lions and elephants.

“Both in Africa and Europe, effective conservation of wildlife can only succeed with the support of local communities, not against them,” state the CIC German Delegation and the DJV. “Sustainable hunting generates acceptance for wildlife protection and finances these conservation measures.”

Scientifically documented success and research benefits

Countries with regulated hunting, such as Zimbabwe, have stable or even growing wildlife populations despite human population growth. The average annual offtake of 50 lions follows scientific principles and does not endanger the lion population. On the contrary, hunting revenues help finance anti-poaching measures and habitat protection.

Research collars such as those fitted on “Blondie” serve only scientific purposes, allowing scientists to track movements, determine causes of mortality, and alert communities to approaching lions. A collar does not protect wild animals from regulated management measures, a principle equally valid for the planned wolf management in Germany.

Further information on the legal hunt of “Blondie” in an interview with Tinashe Farawo, spokesperson for the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZIMParks):

Q: How many people have died from lion and elephant attacks in Zimbabwe in recent years?
“In the past five years alone, nearly 300 people have died nationwide from attacks by elephants, lions, crocodiles, and hyenas. These numbers have increased dramatically since 2018, with daily emergency calls from across the country.”

Q: What hunting regulations apply in Zimbabwe, and were these observed during the lion hunt?
“Our hunting laws are very strict. Only male lions aged at least five to six years may be hunted. Hunters who select older animals aged seven to eight years are even rewarded with additional hunting quotas. The hunt in question was entirely lawful, supervised officially, and conducted on private land outside Hwange National Park. We cannot understand the controversy around this hunt.”

Q: What is it like to live with lions outside the national parks? Do Zimbabweans perceive the death of a lion as dramatically as Europeans?
“Living alongside wild animals is a great challenge. The people in villages have different experiences from conservationists. Lions are trapped in snares or poisoned. Farmers lose their livestock, and thus their livelihoods. For them, a dead lion is not dramatic. We try to explain to local people that a live lion brings economic opportunities and employment. Hunting tourism has brought benefits to our country for many years.”

Q: German wolves attack livestock, and in the Netherlands, a child was recently injured by a suspected wolf. What advice do you have for European authorities?
“Our advice has always been clear: manage wildlife sustainably. It must be scientifically determined how many animals an ecosystem can sustain. Only then can resources be protected, and conflicts avoided.”

Q: How large are predator populations in Zimbabwe?
“According to our studies, Zimbabwe is home to around 1,500 to 2,000 adult lions, approximately 1,500 leopards, and very high populations of hyenas. Nationwide, we speak of a hyena overpopulation. Each year, we issue 100 hunting licenses for lions, although only 45 to 50 are taken. Additional lion deaths occur due to accidents, train collisions, or retaliatory poisoning.”

Q: Does drought lead to more predator attacks?
“We see a significant increase in hyena attacks because drought weakens their prey. Lion and leopard populations remain stable, with slight increases.”

Q: Why did the lion have a tracking collar?
“The collar served to research hunting impacts on lion populations. A collar confers no protected status—collared animals may legally be hunted. Only 12 to 18 of over 500 lions in Hwange Park wear collars, just a drop in the ocean.”

Q: Are local people calling for a reduction in dangerous wildlife? Is there compensation for victims?
“Pressure from local communities is enormous. People are killed or injured, and across the country you find graves of those who have been killed by wildlife. There is no compensation system yet, but we are working on new legislation to establish a relief fund, similar to Botswana.”

References

• Interview with Tinashe Farawo, spokesperson for Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZIMParks)

• CIC German Delegation and Deutscher Jagdverband (DJV)

• Photographs: Bernd Grumblies