Namibia And SA Hunting Associations In Brawl Over Canned Lions

The Namibian and South African hunting associations recently became embroiled in a heated media spat after the Namibia Professional Hunting Association (NAPHA) publicly accused the Professional Hunters’ Association of South Africa (PHASA) of “taking the low road” in its approach to canned lion hunting.

- Annelie Coleman

NAPHA strongly opposed a decision by PHASA to allow and, in effect, condone the hunting of captive-bred lions, according to NAPHA president, Danene van der Westhuyzen.

She said in a statement that PHASA’s decision in November 2017 to amend the definition of the term ‘ethical hunting’ in its constitution to include all types of hunting permissible by law was a “bland and superficial definition” of the word.

NAPHA was deeply disappointed that PHASA had decided to “take the low road”, said Van der Westhuyzen.

“This leaves the door wide open to abuse and exploitation,” she added.