Persuasive Essay On Canned Hunting

Should Governments and Agencies All Over The World Ban Canned Hunting for Good?

Canned, captive or enclosed hunting, are all names for a method of killing human-raised exotic and wild animals which are cornered in small enclosures at a trophy hunting facility and shot to death. Over the decades, canned hunting has become a booming and lucrative business all over the world. When wealthy road hunters and weekend warriors yearn for the thrill of hunting, they no longer have to venture deep in the wilderness to get some action. Instead, they visit private owned hunting facilities which for the right price offer them a chance to kill native and even exotic animals. These practices are considered inhumane and morally repulsive by wildlife activists because the animals are confined in small enclosures and like an insect entrenched in a spider’s web; they don’t stand a chance to escape the wrath of the executioner’s weapon. Captive hunting is occurring in different parts of all the continents. Regardless
of the economic gain it might render, this barbaric practice should be eradicated off the face of the earth. “For every animal a hunter kills and recovers, he wounds at least two others who die slowly and painfully from blood loss, infection, or starvation.”(Last Chance for Animals) In Western societies, there’s a sensitive place for issues regarding any form of animal cruelty or injustice. The U.S government has strict laws pertaining animal cruelty. Nonetheless, there’s dozens of canned hunting facilities spreading all over the states. According to the Humane Society of the United States, “there are more than 1,000 commercial captive hunt operations in the United States, trophy hunters pay to shoot native and exotic mammals – from zebra to endangered scimitar-horned Oryx – confined in fenced enclosures.” To add to this hypocrisy, the animals are not hunted for consumption or use of their resources but for fun and competition. These hunters are sometimes intoxicated and act belligerent towards the animals before sinking hot lead into their terrified bodies. There’s a great sense of denial and ignorance among these culprits and sadly the size of their pockets makes it all right. According to journalist Patrick Barkham research, “some of the 160 South African farms that legally breed lions and other wild animals -- many of which, animal advocates argue, will end up being shot by hunters who pay big bucks (sometimes close to $38,000) for the experience. This is the practice known as "canned hunting,” and its popularity has increased significantly in the past few years. The South African Supreme Court in 2010 even struck down a law restricting the practice after lion breeders challenged the legislation.” (Bennett-Smith, 06/05/2013) In a span of 5 years, there’s been 122 percent increase in lions trophies shipped abroad from South Africa. The population of lions in Africa has drastically decreased from 450,000 to 20,000 in the last 60 years. Once seen as the pride of Africa and the symbol of power and might, these majestic animals have succumbed to man’s greed and insanity.
There are many valid and strong arguments for banning canned hunting all over the globe. For status, captive animals have a higher rate of catching and spreading diseases. “Chronic Wasting Disease, a fatal, incurable disease that infects deer and other animals, has been found in 22 states, including Illinois. In 13 of the states the disease has been found in captive populations.”(Humane Society of U.S) Social relevancy of this is that it cost tax payers millions trying to manage or control these outbreaks. For example, the state of Wisconsin has shelled over 35 million dollars trying to quarantine and stop this disease. They’ve been cases like these in Africa where captive animals spread diseases to livestock which most farmers solely depend on. There’s also another point to consider, society perception towards wild animals is changing. People no longer cherish and admire wild animals, instead they see them as investments or resources for economic gain. Such events trigger animal smuggling across the globe.
The opposing argument to the matter is that, these facilities are playing a major role in population control of the animals, they almost call themselves conservationists. The arguments sometimes vary depending on the location. In South Africa, the owners of these farms claim they help their local communities with some of the enormous profits. Since Tiger hunting is illegal in Asia, lion bones demand has skyrocketed encouraging more captive hunting. By exporting trophies and ivory the region benefits from the revenue. Tourism to these regions has also increased resulting to economic growth.
Agencies like Fish and Wildlife of the U.S and other corresponding authorities with this issue should educate their respectable societies and bring light to this matter.
The universe as a whole should grasp the fact that wild animals don’t exist for human amusement and wastage. Canned hunting is so repulsive and unsporting that hunting clubs such as Broone and Crokett Hunting Group oppose and despise them. Unlike humans, wildlife plays a bigger productive role in balancing the ecosystem. With a better knowledge of this issue, people would understand what’s going on in their backyards and how a small certain group is slowly eradicating these beautiful creatures. I strongly believe people would support agencies like Humane Society and PETA if they knew half of what really goes on in those facilities but is there any concern for wild animals? The message that’s being sent is that it’s easier to be punished for harming a dog than killing wild animals for recreation
purposes.
The authorities have side stepped on this issue for so long hiding behind the sportsman’s law act and also trying to convince society that it’s nothing more than legal controlled hunting. The truth of the matter is the world has lost more endangered species over the last decade than any other decade due to heinous practices such as this. The governments in this certain countries should step up and cease all this operations by banning them for good. It goes without saying wild animals have as much of the rights as humans to exist on this planet and people who kill them for recreational purposes should be subjected to harsh punishments and fines.