Is killing the big 5 legal?

I have been browsing the web for information on animals ect that i will come across on safari, and came across sites that offered hunting including, lions, leopards ect. Am I being too sentimental, but should these beautiful animals be shot for pleasure?

I had no idea that this went on, probably sound dumb to those of you living over thier. Is killing the big 5 legal? does it go on everywhere?

Would appreciate your comments

regards

Tanya

Was at our travelling fair, and YES you can go on a hunting safari! Several african travel agents had it.

BUT they have x number of y animals to "kill" every season for each area (as we have with moose, dear etc to keep the number of animals at some level).

My hunting friends looking for such a safari found out that this was not the way they want to hunt.
You MUST have a local registrated hunter with you (more by car, not by foot).
When he, and only when he says where, which and when, then you can shoot that animal. Not the way my friends like to hunt.
If you want the trophy (horn, etc) you have to pay extra (expensive).
The meat is used localy (positive!).
Only positive with this form of safari, is that the local people get in extra money (very expensive trip) from tourists shooting those animals that they have to (must) shoot each season.
My friends like to go into the terrain, walking and waiting for hours... If they don't get any bird/animal they don't mind, they still have had a day in the nature.

To kill an animal just for fun & trophy - NO, I don't like!!!

hi, not only ball-less hunting. (more work to get a great photo! would rather spend my time with a nice lady. then that silly foolishness). but SANPARKS will be CULLING ELEPHANTS!! i think about somewhere around OCT. they always had a bad habit of doing that. even if they haven't done that for some. they want to get their whistles wet in doing that sick kind of thing.
like here in the states , the ranchers need not much of a reason to shoot wolves & bison! trigger happy ya know.
same there, that is how i see it.
if anyone has seen video of this sick act. you would not even think of visiting there.
NO!!!! you SHOULD NOT be sentimental. your feelings are correct.
please give it another thought. go visit someplase else.
david

I understand the process of culling, to keep a certain balance, although personally i think mother nature was doing quite a good job before man intereferred, however, can someone please explain the picture of the happy hunter holding the most beautiful DEAD leopard, I am sure the leopard was far more attractive when pounding around the bush than in the arms of some **********, Personally i am looking forward to the thrill of seeing such a creature, and trying to shoot it with my CAMERA and then enlarging the print for a trophy.

And before anyone else says it, no i am not a tree hugging vegetarian, I am an individual who wants to see a part of this world remain uncorrupted by Humans who have the urge to kill anything more intelligent and beautifull than themselves.

Regards

Tanya

Hi Tanya,

The term "Big 5" was coined by hunters many years ago because those 5 animals presented the best sport and/or stuffed trophy. Now the tourists are somehow under the impression that these are the "best" animals to see.

Inside the true Kruger Park, hunting is forbidden. However, the catchphrases "Kruger Park" and "Big 5" are used indiscrimately by establishments on the edge of the Kruger Park who know that this draws tourists....with the highest paying tourist being those that come to hunt. The hunting industry has relatively low public profile here, and the tourist coaches will not notice it - probably similar to hunting in the UK.

Gerald is thier much public anger at these hunting parties, or is thier apathy amongst locals. I understand it must be difficult for those in areas of low employment to do nothing about it.

It is sad to think that some of us are just honoured to be able to come to South Africa and get a glimpse of these creatures, whilst others seem to get some perverse kick from killing them.

Regards

Tanya

PS

Happy new year...at last I can say I am coming to South Africa this year!

Yes, as you're finding out, it's possible to go hunting for the big 5 in South Africa. When I was there, the distinction between places where you can hunt and places you cannot can be determined by the name. If you go to a "game farm", you can hunt. If you go to a "game preserve," you cannot.

Kruger Park is a game preserve where no hunting is allowed. There is culling done there for "health reasons," such as overpopulation and hoof and mouth disease. I think that's about it.

I went to Kruger Park and absolutely loved it. If you go there, I highly recommend signing up for one of the walks with a ranger (and a guide -- they're both armed with rifles in case of danger to the humans). That was a magical experience and the only time you could be outside of your car outside of a camp.

Hi, Tanya, I would like to add. As you most likely already thought of. Stay away from tour ops that promote this. It will take some research. I think I know how you would feel if you found out later about the tour op you choose. That they sell this option.
Thanks, David

I have to admit this a thorn in the side of South Africans... wealthy Americans and British and Germans etc. come and shoot our animals for SPORT (manliness???? I DONT think so!!!) and pay ALOT of money to do so.

Private game farms organise this. It is purely for financial gain and greed. To say it benefits the locals is rubbish - there are so many other ways for them to become involved in the tourist industry and be paid a decent wage.

Game Reserves like Kruger, Pilansberg, Addo etc. do NOT allow or encourage hunting. Their animals are protected and are not hunted at all. These parks are in the majority thankfully. When booking for a park, book at South Africa's National Parks... none of them condone hunting at all.

Unfortunately, due to mankind being his usual selfish self and stealing more and more land from the wildlife, culling does take place. Do you know that when they cull elephants, they have to shoot the entire family? Not just the old or maimed ones? The young to the old get killed. (They are VERY close to eachother).

The Kruger Park has extended its borders into Mozambique to make the park bigger and this is needed. (Having said that the Kruger Park is HUGE anyway, it's a super park and a MUST see for travellers!).

Some of the camps are more commercial and have electrical bungalows and restaurants etc and some have no electricity and very few amenities... I go for the latter! Do go on a walk/hike tour with a ranger... where you sleep out in the open.. BLISS

How these people who shoot animals for sport and enjoyment manage to sleep at night I dont know!!!

I dont agree with what they do, but if they dont allow it, it would be done illegally, and so therefore would have no control of it!
If you want to go to a safari part which doesnt condone this I would go Hlehlwe, it is not as big but it is cheaper and less commercialised, and you also have the beautiful beaches and lakes near by! Its also quite easy to get to from Durban.