Trophy hunting aids in the conservation of lions: study | Globalnews.ca

The researchers specifically studied lion trends in Tanzania’s Selous Game Reserve, where the grounds are divided into blocks with different tourism companies holding various hunting rights.
Hunting in the park operates on both long-term (10 years or longer) and short-term allocations of hunting areas to companies.
About 35 per cent of Tanzania’s land is protected. However, on that land — except parts that are designated a National Park as well as the Ngorongoro Conservation Area — trophy hunting is allowed. This accounts for some 305,000 square kilometres or 86 per cent of protected land.
The reason for the contrast, the researchers concluded, was that companies with long-term allocations managed them better due to long-term outlook.
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While trophy hunting may be distasteful for some people, this isn’t the first time it’s been claimed that such practices can aid in conservation: some have cited the need for trophy hunting to help fund conservation efforts.
In a National Geographic opinion piece, Melissa Simpson, director of the Safari Club International Foundation wrote,“As with the regulated hunters in the United States, the regulated hunters in Africa make a vital contribution to conservation efforts, primarily through the revenues their hunting expeditions generate for local communities and wildlife resource agencies.”
Another argument for trophy hunting is that the practice helps conserve natural land that might otherwise be used for agricultural means.