I'm not a voice piece for anyone, and you slander me by saying so. I hate trophy hunting and I'm repulsed by the people who do it. But the evidence shows powerfully that, when well-regulated, it creates a powerful incentive for the conservation of both species and habitats.
https://twitter.com/domdyer70/status/1484259806093402116
If you disagree, please read this paper. There's a wealth of evidence showing that regulated trophy hunting, disgusting as I find it, has brought wildlife and habitats back from the brink, while generating enthusiasm and income among local people. iucn.org/sites/dev/file…
The world does not divide up as neatly as we might wish.
Respect people with consistent principles.
But beware of people with consistent facts.
Respect people with consistent principles.
But beware of people with consistent facts.
Here's a letter from African community leaders, pointing out that, because people in rich nations (quite understandably) respond emotionally to the revolting photos of egomaniacs posing with dead animals, they are not seeing the bigger picture. resourceafrica.net/open-letter-ce…
Please listen to them. They understand this issue in ways that many of those who have been wading in do not.
With thanks and respect to Alex Morss and @AmyDickman4, who persuaded me that I was wrong on this issue. They have gained nothing from taking this stand, other than attacks and abuse. Alex has been driven off Twitter by it.
Please listen before you shout.
theguardian.com/environment/20…
Please listen before you shout.
theguardian.com/environment/20…
I've lost 1,000 followers overnight for taking this position.
That pains me.
It feels weird to take a hit for an industry I detest.
But it won't stop me from following the evidence, however uncomfortable it may be.
That pains me.
It feels weird to take a hit for an industry I detest.
But it won't stop me from following the evidence, however uncomfortable it may be.
I understand the reaction. I truly hate the pictures of rich men with big egos and small body parts posing with the beautiful animals they have killed. It speaks well of people that they empathise with those animals. But we would otherwise have lost entire populations of them.
I strongly object to being compared by the actor @PeterEgan6 to Jimmy Savile, because I've been persuaded by compelling evidence that my previous stance on this issue was wrong.
We should be prepared to change our minds. We shouldn't be abused for doing so
We should be prepared to change our minds. We shouldn't be abused for doing so
https://twitter.com/PeterEgan6/status/1484438245408755712
But I completely agree that there SHOULD be a better way. Rich nations SHOULD help poorer ones with serious money and incentives to protect endangered wildlife. But they aren't. Far from it. Removing a powerful incentive before others are in place will cause a wildlife disaster.
One aspect I find hard to understand:
People who campaign against trophy hunting are strongly motivated by empathy. I understand and respect this.
But some of them treat humans with whom they disagree with no empathy at all.
And appear to love the hue and cry of a Twitter hunt.
People who campaign against trophy hunting are strongly motivated by empathy. I understand and respect this.
But some of them treat humans with whom they disagree with no empathy at all.
And appear to love the hue and cry of a Twitter hunt.
On the other hand, thank you to those who have engaged respectfully, even when they disagree. And love to all of you, regardless of the things you might have said. Without love we have nothing.
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