Letters | Hunting for conservation?

At the risk of stepping into a minefield, I offer comments on hunting for conservation (The Witness, February 17 and 19). An argument centring on advocating that killing individual animals, often charismatic or critically endangered, generates crucial revenue and incentives for habitat protection that, theoretically, saves entire species. The core paradox here is the moral issue of killing to save, particularly in cases of trophy hunting where “love” for an animal is used to justify causing its death.

It seems to me that claiming that many who genuinely love and wish to protect the natural world can also indulge in hunting down and shooting a living creature for fun is totally disingenuous. How can any compassionate, ethical person justify the killing of any animals for sport/recreation? Too often encouraging the “thrill kill” motivated by ego, where hunters frequently target the strongest, most majestic animals, disrupting natural breeding populations.

Taking seriously the words of Gary Francione, we must strive to end conflict between seemingly superior humans and lesser non-human creatures, endeavouring to treat animals as ends in themselves. Shunning blood sports, which J.M. Coetzee condemns as violent, deeply masculinist forms of entertainment belonging in the Dark Ages.

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As animal rights organisation Beauty Without Cruelty emphasises, appreciating wildlife should not involve violence. “Real men shoot with cameras.”

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