Guest Author - J. Claire K. Niala

Kenya is the only country in the world that has a total ban on hunting of all kinds. This ban was very necessary. In the 1980's and 1990's Kenya's wildlife was entering a critical stage. Many species were on the brink of extinction due to poaching and other forms of human encroachment. Let us not forget that humans have been known to wipe out entire species of animals in less than 5 years! Once they are gone - that is it - forever - permanent loss.

Due to the tireless efforts of the Kenya Wildlife Service (as well as other conservationists)the wildlife has recovered and in some cases has dramatically bounced back. A recent breeding program for rhinos in Nairobi National Park was so successful that the park is now exporting rhinos to more rural national parks.

I should start by saying that only 8% of Kenya's total land mass is national parks. Considering that until recently man and beast found other ways of co-existing, this is not a great amount. Still Kenya is a leading light in the world when you consider that most of Europe and nearly all of the US have completely decimated what were any wild population of animals that existed previously.

In fact when 'Bruno' the only wild bear to have been spotted in Europe for over 100 years was seen last year in Germany/ Austria he was hunted down and killed mercilessly. When it comes to conservation and managing wildlife - make no mistake African countries lead the way in the world. That is not to say that these animals have not been a valuable resource. Tourist dollars bring in much needed revenue to local communities.

Yet there is a powerful pro-hunting lobby that arises from the very same countries that have decimated their own animal populations that want to come and shoot 'big game' like elephants, lions etc. There is absolutely nothing sporting about this. It is not a game. Sadly, countries like South Africa, Namibia and Tanzania have allowed this cruel and unnessary activiy.

If you are to watch the life drain out of a matriarchal elephants eyes and then witness the distress suffered by her family as they try to take her bones (if they are allowed) to the elephant graveyard you will see that only a cruel sort of person can enjoy this. To make matters worse - many of these so called hunters are no longer willing to spend the hours required to track down an animal to kill.

Witness the introduction of South Africa of canned hunting. This is where lions are bred and held in enclosures that are essentially large kennels for people to come and take a pot shot at. The lions have no means of escape and baby cubs are subjected to the torture of seeing their mothers die a painful and bloody death in front of their very eyes.

It astonishes me that in an era where we are finally aware of the damage that we have done to our environment - there are people who are still willing to wreak more havoc so place a 'trophy' on their walls. So called big game hunting is no different to if I was to come to your house and shoot your family pets.

After years of tourism a lot of these animals are accustomed to both cars and poeple and are not fully aware of the risks impossed when a 'tourist' with a gun and a telescopic lens approach them in the national parks. The pro-hunting lobbyists argue that because they have to pay large sums of money to kills these animals, the local communities benefit more. This is just not true. Licences are open to serious abuse and at the end of the day it is more disruptive to animal populations. I know I would rather have 10 tourists shooting film and taking photographs home than a single 'hunter' shooting bullets and taking home the head of a lion.

Albert Schweitzer said that until man extends to his circle of compassion to include all living things man will not find peace. So far we have not found peace, only war.