'Trophy lion' hunts unsustainable

A recent study by Craig Packer of the University of Minnesota has examined big cat "trophy hunting" in Tanzania, and concluded that the population of lions available for hunting is not sufficient for the quota that has been set to be sustained. The population of leopards has not been hurt as badly by this practice.

Tanzania currently allows about 500 lions and 400 leopards per year to be killed for sport across a total area of 300,000km².

The study suggests that the quota of lions hunted should be lowered and that only the oldest lions, past breeding age, be hunted. When male lions leading a pride are hunted, the male lion that succeeds the leadership of the pride will kill the offspring of the previous lion, further damaging the lion population.

Packer does congratulate the Tanzanian government for providing records on the hunting practice, as similar countries secretly allow the practice of trophy hunting.

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