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New Regulations Issued for Predator Hunting in Namibia
The government of Namibia gazetted new predator hunting regulations in early February, affecting numerous booked leopard hunts for 2010, particularly those to be conducted with hounds. Subscribers to The Hunting Report know we've been following developments on leopard hunting in Namibia since its Ministry of Environment (MET) implemented a moratorium on leopard and cheetah trophy hunting permits last spring. The moratorium was necessary after MET issued its entire year's CITES export quota for these species in only a few months. The moratorium effectively put numerous booked leopard hunts on hold. The ensuing complications for safari operators and their clients led the Namibian Association of Professional Hunting to submit recommendations to MET for new regulations to control predator hunting in Namibia and prevent the same scenario from occurring again. MET accepted those recommendations in late 2009, finalized the new regs and is in the process of implementing them now.
The new regulations outlaw the use of hounds for all predator hunting and implement a new quota system on leopard trophy permits. Now all operators who want to conduct predator hunts must apply ahead of time for a quota, the exception being government concessions and conservancies, which will have a guaranteed quota. Property size and information indicating leopard densities will be required of landowners seeking a quota. And permits will not be transferable.
You can read all of the regulations for yourself by clicking on the link below. If you have a booked leopard hunt, contact your operator right away to determine whether he will be able to conduct your hunt and what options are open to you. - Barbara Crown, Editor
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