When I recently returned from a hunting trip in Africa, I was immediately confronted with the debate over the killing of a lion by an American citizen on safari in Zimbabwe. This debate has engendered unprecedented anger, hatred, and vitriol towards both the participants of the hunt and the hunting community at large. It has also propagated disinformation about regulated hunting in foreign countries. Participants have been threatened with arrests, requests for extradition, death threats, public shunning, and loss of livelihood. My own experience has demonstrated that these reactions are becoming more commonplace, particularly when they involve iconic species such as African lions, leopards, giraffes, elephants, bears, mountain lions, and other species.

Part of the confusion, in some cases justifiable and in others intentionally deceptive, relates to the poaching epidemic that several African countries are experiencing and their inability to effectively combat this growing plague. Rhino horn and elephant ivory specifically have driven the poaching of iconic species to record levels, and in some cases, threaten the very existence of the species from which these products are obtained. However, the anti-hunting community has used this and other recent incidents as a soapbox to emphasize an issue that is much more complex than they would have you believe. How then, can regulated hunting benefit wildlife stewardship on the African continent, for both man and beast?

Fortunately, the wildlife conservation success stories in the United States provide a model for Africa and other countries. In many southern and eastern African countries, the wildlife management paradigm is based to a large degree on the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation, which is arguably the most successful model in the world - being responsible for the recovery of most of North America's game species in the past 100 years. Specifically, in the countries of Namibia, South Africa and Tanzania, wildlife are highly valued, and thus their essential needs, including space, habitat, and water, are willingly provided by the government (on national parks) or by landowners and outfitters (on private land). These same entities frequently provide those resources in the most environmentally friendly manner possible. For example, I observed electricity for water pumps, camps, and other facilities that was completely provided by solar power and battery back-up systems.

On the African continent, utilitarianism is a necessity, a requirement in a part of the world where the nearest town may be a 6-hour drive, and the nearest airport a day away. This same necessity dictates that animals, when harvested, be used to their fullest extent. With the exception of the inedible parts (hide, fur, horns, skulls, tusks, teeth, etc.) everything contributes to the local, largely indigenous population's nutrition ? in many cases, this donation of game meat to the local economy is required by law ? a tremendous benefit in locales where this is the only source of protein, the average salary is under $1200 annually, and children only get educated if their parents have the money to send them to school.

Other African countries, such as Kenya and Botswana, have rejected the regulated hunting conservation model and as a result, have seen their wildlife numbers plummet. They are learning that the "devaluing" of regulated hunting and its associated financial contribution cannot be replaced by photo safaris or "non-consumptive" activities. The value of these activities to the local communities, in the form of dollars and nutrition, is inadequate. In the absence of regulated hunting, the lion, leopard, or elephant become a liability, or even worse, a threat to local residents. The incredible wildlife diversity that populate the mountains, deserts, plains, and jungles simply become bush meat ? animals to be harvested purely for subsistence, with no influx of dollars for conservation or law enforcement, and no incentive by the government or landowners to protect the essential living requirements of their native species.

There are more countries and territories in Africa (64 recognized) than there are states in the United States. The countries that approach wildlife management in a carefully planned and regulated manner have seen stable to increasing populations, and that model including its sport hunting aspect, should be recognized and applauded globally. The few countries that seek to exploit, or allow the wanton exploitation of their wildlife species without regard to conservation value would benefit from the conservation focus and blueprint that resides in the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation and the American System of Conservation Funding. The financial contribution associated with well-regulated hunting and sound conservation plans provides for the protection and preservation of wildlife, wild habitat, and wild spaces paramount to both governments and landowners and may be the last great defense against extirpation and extinction. (jg)