In June 2016 , the government of Zambia called off its original plan to pick 2000 hippos from the country ’s Luangwa River . A few weeks later , wildlife conservationists say , the political science reversed its decision , and the prize Orion employed to pop the hippos were back in business . advocator for the animals say the government ’s reasons for the trouncing plan are , at just , unsupported by science , and at worst , tainted .
governance functionary had initially cited concern of splenic fever , deficient water , and overpopulation as evidence a reject was necessary . Yet Will Travers , Chief Executive of the nonprofitBorn Free Foundation , says there is no current splenic fever threat in Zambia , and that the water system levels are the highest they ’ve been in year . “ They are on tenuous basis scientifically , ” hetoldNew Scientist .
Why , then , would a governing choose to kill century of animals a year for the next five year ? It ’s unclear . What is clear-cut is that the government contract to execute the killing snuff it to a prize hunt outlet called Mabwe Adventures . Mabwe Adventures appears to have team up up with a safari company call off Theo De Marillac Safaris , which is reportedly marketing the Hippo Regius - hunting chance to tourists .
According to Born Free , the safari companyinvitedwould - be cullers to “ have the rare and exciting opportunity of participating in a controlled hippo hunt ” for upwards of $ 12,000 . “ This walking and stalk hunt over the flood plain stitch means hippo are hunted on land , making this a very exciting , epinephrin - pump safari , ” the troupe forebode .
News of the contract was met with public outrage , which ab initio inspired the government to call off the hunt . After a brief coming together with stakeholders , the decision was reverse , and the reject resume .
“ There ’s a relentless effort to press out front , ” Travers say . “ But at the moment , I ca n’t see how they can justify what ’s going on . ”
[ h / tNew Scientist ]
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