Rural Zambian communities have a message for anti-hunting celebrities such as Ricky Gervais and Ozzy Osbourne who support the Campaign to Ban Trophy Hunting using t-shirts sold to raise money. On 10 December 2024, 200 delegates at a conference on community conservation in Lusaka, Zambia responded to the celebrities during a protest rally. They wore t-shirts emblazoned with Ricky’s and Ozzy’s faces along with the words: “T-shirts don’t save wildlife. Communities do.” and “Fame does not make you an expert on wildlife!” See their powerful message in a short video here: https://youtu.be/IOrH3wIU06E
Besides Gervais and Osbourne, Dames Judi Dench and Joanna Lumley have put their names behind a fundraising drive by Campaign to Ban Trophy Hunting, which aims to “Get the ban done”. The ban they are referring to involves preventing the importation of hunting trophies into the UK.
The Zambians’ message simultaneously targets UK parliamentarians who seek to ban hunting trophy imports; they insist that decisions about hunting should be made by those who live with wildlife. This is embodied in the protesters’ slogan: “Our rights. Our wildlife. Our decision”.
Political supporters of the ban have largely ignored the evidence presented by scientists revealing that banning hunting trophy imports may cause more harm than good for wildlife. Anti-hunting MPs have dismissed the pleas from High Commissioners of affected African countries – including Zambia – for a fair hearing in favour of populist, celebrity-backed campaigns.
Communities in Zambia and across southern Africa have watched these developments with growing anger and frustration. The rally in Zambia follows similar protests held in Botswana and Zimbabwe.
“As Zambians, we support wildlife and we support trophy hunting. No one will make a decision for us!” Said community coordinator, Petros Muyunda, “We will make decisions for our wildlife – we will protect it and make sure we get the maximum benefit from it.”
Dr Rodgers Lubilo, Chairman of both the Community Leaders Network of Southern Africa and the Zambian Community Resource Board Association described the latest anti-hunting bill as a threat to community-led conservation efforts: “If this discussion ignores the realities on the ground, it could have devastating impacts on communities that depend on sustainable wildlife management for their livelihoods.”
Rural communities and African governments are tired of being ignored during debates about issues that directly affect their lives and wildlife, while the opinions of ignorant (if well-meaning) celebrities are given greater priority. Celebrities should take the time to learn about wildlife conservation before supporting misguided campaigns. UK policy-makers would do well to meet with African community leaders and government representatives to chart a collective way forward that truly supports conservation in Africa.
Mr. Petros Muyunda, whilst you are absolutely right to state that “no one will make a decision for us!” and “we will make decisions for our wildlife – we will protect it and make sure we get the maximum benefit from it”, who gives you right to decide about decision of the citizens of another country on the matter involving proposed laws that country?
And when did Zambians start supporting trophy hunting? We have always hunted for food not for Living room decorations.
Ati: “As Zambians, we support wildlife and we support trophy hunting” Really??
Nonsense, who gave you the right to talk on behalf of Zambians? Trophy Hunting to by Who? Is it not the same corrupt whites supporting you? WE DON’T WANT TROPHY HUNTING IN ZAMBIA and as Zambians, we will not allow you. We can improve our communities in a different way including Tourism than Killing our Animals. ALL of YOU in That Video are so stup.id. Stop manipulating people in Rural Areas.
Trophy hunting is absolutely disgusting. Killing innocent animals for fun is totally unacceptable. Trophy hunting should be banned in Zambia. The Zambians supporting trophy hunting most likely benefit from it, at the expence of wild animals. Ban trophy hunting in Zambia, and all across Africa.
Collaboration, not unilateralism, works better for all concerned…
Western society often gets swept up in feel-good issues, leading to a rush where nuance is often the first casualty. While a total ban is clearly a step backward, it’s hard to convince the NGOs and celebrity figures who leverage these causes to enhance their public image.
If UK doesn’t want to import your merchandise, why force them? Some arguments don’t make sense at all. Who was buying these things from us before the bamukukulu came to Africa? This is why I say African leadership leaves much to be desired. No brains to think of solutions except following the western countries.
All this Western Woke not many trophy hunters are from UK most from US , Europe and Asia so banning trophies into UK is not a big deal.
Strange messages, ati “we defeated you during colonialism and we will defeat you again”. Kkkk Don’t the British have a right to stay at home and refuse to be hunters in Zambia? It’s not a cheap hobby these days. It’s not a vote in Zambian parliament
I wonder what these Africans are complaining about. Another country wants to ban importation of illegal contraband and you are protesting? Well do something else with your wildlife.
Petros and Rodgers who are you to make decisions for the majority of us who are making sure that our wildlife survives for generations after us to see and enjoy live and not in pictures like the dodo. Who are you to make a decision for the animals on who lives and who dies just because of your greed. Even those animals are better than you because they only kill to eat and not for pleasure.
The whole meeting sounds nonsensical if not STUp1d. It’s commercial hunting that has depleted game. I remember going on bicycle to Chisunka from Mansa we could always give way to buffaloes crossing the path.. today you are lucky if you can see a rat
You are absolutely right. Does anyone remember the story of a truck or trucks which were intercepted in Livingstone carrying wildlife to South Africa years ago? It died very quickly and was kept out of the press.
Kikikikikikiki They are poaching even rats! It must be Jay Jay Banda in hiding in Luapula
These “Rural Zambians” somehow were able to print coloured T-shirts declaring their demand that trophy hunting be continued? We are not stupid. We who is behind this campaign. The foreign hunting mafia makes US $14 billion and year, out of which countries like Zambia get US $3- 5 million. In the process, they wipe out our wildlife. In 1980, Luangwa National Park alone had more than 100 000 elephants. Now the whole of Zambia has 23 000 elephants; a number which recovered from a mere 14 000 elephants.
The villagers should start hunting these BaZungu for trophies to teach them the only lesson they understand.
Trophy hunting does not benefit the average villager. Check who gets all the dollars in their foreign banks! Do not be misled.