First, though, we should reiterate what we said last month in a special News Flash - namely, the High Court of Zambia has officially given the green light to hunting all but one of the areas (Sichifulo) that remained closed due to legal action. That means Zambia is fully open to Concession and Game Ranch hunting after a hiatus of two long years. The only lingering worry at press time (and it is a small one) was word that the operators who lost their court case against the government have filed an appeal with the Supreme Court, and in the meantime have applied for a Stay of Execution. If granted, such a stay would re-block hunting in six of the country's most important areas.
We do not think such a stay is going to be granted, and we do not think the disaffected operators are going to be successful in their longer-term legal effort to get their areas back either. We tell you about their continuing efforts only because we think you deserve to know as much as we do about the inner workings of the government in Zambia. The bottom line is, hunting is underway in Zambia as this is written, and we look for the country to provide many good safaris this year and next. Our considered advice is - if you want the animals available in the country, "Go For It!"
Space limitations prevent a full summary of all of the subscriber reports we have received so far, but here are some highlights:
* Subscriber/agent Aaron Neilson dropped us this note on his return from a seven-week stint in Zambia with Richard Bell-Cross of Pro-Hunt Ltd: "Myself an........(continued)
