These fees bring in more revenue than farming, allowing the land to be kept free from human encroachment and protecting the habitat for future generations of the wild game. Each lion shot, for example, allows thousands of other species to flourish in the same environment. Game must be managed. For example, if there are too many elephants in a certain area, then the entire habitat is threatened because of the massive destruction they do when they feed. Game wardens have to cull the herds both for the benefit of the elephants, and all the other species.
Trophy hunters pay for the privilege of keeping the herds manageable.
In the same way, there is an optimum ratio of predators to prey. If there are too many lions, then the herbivores are threatened, and the lions cross from the preserve into someone's back yard. The number of lions needs to be managed. The trophy hunter, by shooting that lion, is not only contributing to the local economy, but he is also making sure that the habitat is protected, and all the animals benefit. Other than that, I welcome Peter's timely and important comments.