| Trophy hunting, as the name implies, is the | | | | of hunting for ego-stroking received valiant |
| sophisticated, highly selective pursuit of animals in the | | | | opposition. There were animal welfare organizations |
| atmosphere of a wild game. The animals which are | | | | which sprouted from nowhere and agreed that |
| usually pursued in trophy hunting are those which are | | | | trophy hunting should be highly discouraged. This is |
| the most agile, wild and fast ones, like deer, fox and | | | | because there are no reliable forms of checks and |
| even elephant. | | | | balances in the possible hunt for the endangered |
| Two Trophies | | | | species. 189 countries signed the 1992 Rio Accord, |
| It is a famous game among the male hunters | | | | which contained action plans for biodiversity and |
| because it has the tag of a prize with it. The animals | | | | trophy hunting was indeed causing some species to |
| caught are not common; one has to have | | | | go extinct. |
| extraordinary skill to catch them. Therefore, the | | | | Also, trophy hunting was regarded as a "cruel sport" |
| successful capture of such animals represents a | | | | because it does not, in any way, drive towards the |
| special victory. In fact, some parts of the animals | | | | conservation of animals or biodiversity. |
| caught in trophy hunting are preserved to remind the | | | | The Big Five Game |
| hunters of their bountiful victory (like a souvenir). | | | | The big game (big time!) hunters in Africa coined the |
| Such parts include antlers, teeth, skulls or some parts | | | | phrase Big Five Game to refer to the five animals in |
| of the skin. This display of "souvenirs" also counts as | | | | Africa which are most difficult to hunt. These five |
| a display of valor. So for a lot of men in places | | | | animals are the lion, African elephant, African buffalo, |
| where hunting is rampant , trophy hunting is a | | | | Black Rhinoceros and the leopard. These animals are |
| tempting endeavor. | | | | not considered endangered today. However, the |
| As you can see, the "trophy" comes in two ways. | | | | problem with other hunters which are not that good |
| First, there's the success in the simple act of catching | | | | in spotting the correct animals is that they might kill |
| a live animal. Second, there's the more transcendental | | | | the wrong ones. For example, the African bush |
| success of coming up with all the testosterone one | | | | elephant is considered as vulnerable. Today, it is |
| has, indulge in a deadly chase and go home with | | | | restricted to trophy hunters. The African forest |
| souvenirs on your back and a story you'd never be | | | | elephant, on the other hand, is still not being |
| tired of telling again. | | | | evaluated. The white rhinoceros is also endangered. |
| The Opposition | | | | Trophy hunting doesn't bring food to the table in the |
| A lot of people frown upon the idea of trophy | | | | same way "normal" hunting does. It simply isn't the |
| hunting because it is oftentimes mistaken for | | | | objective. It only gives hunters a chance to brag |
| poaching. Let's get this straight. Trophy hunting is | | | | about the exploits they had and how they resolved |
| different from poaching. The latter is illegal hunting. It | | | | them. However, it is also becomes a means to |
| includes hunting outside certain legal hunting time, a | | | | recognize prize animals and as a means to recognize |
| legal hunting territory, or hunting animals which are | | | | endangered animals. The problem is that existing |
| declared endangered. | | | | checks and balances are not sufficient to keep track |
| Moreover, between the 1970's and 1980's, the idea | | | | of such a hobby or a profession as the case may be. |