Contrasting safari and bushmeat hunting in Southern Africa

Abstract

Hunting from protected areas, either legal or illegal, can have large ramifications for both conservation success and community development. ‘Safari’ or ‘trophy’ hunting is conducted within the legal sphere, with identified pathways for income use. The income may be used effectively for both conservation initiatives and community benefits. Southern African countries are often recognised as being successful in providing these dual benefits. In contrast, bushmeat hunting is often conducted illegally. Despite this, bushmeat can contribute substantially to local incomes, livelihoods and food security concerns. The juxtaposition of these two practices is examined here, with reference to the possible costs and benefits to both conservation and community development. This chapter provides a conceptual overview of bushmeat and safari hunting via a narrative literature review and uses case studies of two Southern African countries to explore their linkages and differences. Malawi, which does not allow any safari hunting but where illegal hunting is prevalent, is compared with Namibia, where safari hunting plays a major role in the community-based management of wildlife. This chapter draws on studies from a wide range of fields, including conservation biology, behavioural science, and political ecology. Issues of ownership, agency and rights devolution are also considered. Safari hunting and bushmeat hunting are controversial topics in conservation but examining them as inter-related issues can provide important insights into how to provide win-wins for both communities and conservation.