The most recent iteration of the “Conserving Ecosystems by Ceasing the Importation of Large Animal Trophies Act” H.R. 2245, “CECIL Act” had a hearing in the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Waters, Oceans, and Wildlife on July 18. Testifying witnesses included vociferous Animal Rights organizations and their friend Dr. Craig Packer, Catherine Semcer from PERC, and Dr. Patience Gandiwa PhD (Executive Technical Advisor at Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority ZPWMA), the only African Government voice witnessing at the Hearing.
The sustainable use side of the hearing was represented by PERC and ZPWMA through their eloquent testimony and the thousands of pages of evidence they submitted indicating hunting in Africa is not only well-regulated but also founded in science. In fact, Dr. Gandiwa elaborated that this bill would specifically undermine Zimbabwe’s science-based elephant and lion management plans, the CAMPFIRE reform which is in progress and the new ZPWMA Strategic Plan, by introducing fortress conservation principles/ preservation of wildlife resources which are a recipe for ecological disaster as they remove the economic value of wildlife from local people and governments working to protect (in a sustainable way) the wildlife and habitats of species concerned. She added that the proposed Bill is an impediment to human rights and Sustainable Development international Agenda, with the potential of destroying rural economies in the affected African Countries.
Furthermore, Ms. Gandiwa commented on the bill’s namesake by saying:
The name of the Bill itself leaves a lot to be desired if it is an inspiration from the story of Cecil the lion from Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe. We are aware that it has been made a famous lion in several media houses by those who are not making any meaningful contribution to the conservation of lions in Zimbabwe, making fortunes in millions of dollars for themselves in the name of Cecil the lion. For the local people, was just an ordinary adult lion which was not famous at all (probably it was famous to the researchers who were studying it). A lion like Cecil lived for 13yrs (almost the end of life for wild lions) then it was legally hunted, and Zimbabwe is conserving many more iconic lions because it is our heritage.
The Government of Zimbabwe opposed the proposed Bill as there is no conservation that can be supported through removing the significant incentives that are promoting conservation. Such a Bill is not addressing the priority conservation measures that will ensure wildlife and habitat will be sustained for generations to come, it is rather based on some misguided ideologies which are far from reality. It will reverse all the momentum and positive impact that the American people have contributed to the conservation of iconic species in Zimbabwe and the rest of southern Africa. Ceasing the Importation of Large Animal Trophies from Zimbabwe will NOT contribute in any way to the Conservation of Ecosystems, the proposed `Cecil Act` is NOT based on science and is completely òut-of-touch` with realities of sustainable conservation of Elephants and Lions.
Mr. McClintock (R-CA), after establishing Ms. Gandiwa’s educational and professional background as an expert in her field, asked her opinion on “having a panel of so-called experts lecture you on your country’s best interests?” Ms. Gandiwa responded that she was “disturbed” that people with little real experience claim to be knowledgeable of on-the-ground realities and she also pointed to Southern Africa’s success in maintaining wildlife populations relative to massive declines across West, Central, and East African nations that do not employ a sustainable utilization program.
Overall, the hearing convincingly established that those opposed to legal, regulated hunting are equipped with only their sanctimonious, emotionally charged arguments; whereas, the hunting community stands armed with science, facts, and Africa’s highest and most dense wildlife populations.