Meat

Successful Kill, early 20th Century, German East Africa

This past June there was a ton of outrage expressed online over the killing of a beautiful giraffe in South Africa by a Kentucky hunter. As I have often said “There are two sides to every story. Or is it five?” While living and working in Africa for two years I learned that many countries on that continent have successful conservation programs to protect many species including the giraffes. While I do not know the backstory of this particular hunt of an 18-year old giraffe, I do know that hunters often pay Rand or NAM$50,000-150,000 for the experience. These fees are usually a large portion of the funds required to maintain a successful conservation effort. I also know that giraffes are not an endangered species. Many of these countries have such meager tax bases that important conservation programs would not be possible without hunting fees. Usually the hides and meats of the slain animals are freely given to the poor people in local villages. A 4,000 lb. giraffe would provide nearly one ton of meat. The protein rich food rarely, if ever, goes to waste. Typically, the conservation authority plans carefully when issuing a license to hunt and animals that are too old to mate are usually targeted. I understand the emotional responses to seeing a hunter astride a dead giraffe, rhino, lion etc. The photo ops may be in poor taste, but the killing of the giraffe benefits many when the targets are selected by those managing the conservancy. I would not expect Frank Purdue to pose for press photographers with a hatchet in his hand and his boot on top of a mound of bloody chickens. Even so, I enjoyed my chicken parmesan tonight. So unless you object to a big game hunt as a strict vegetarian or vegan believing that no animal should be eaten, please consider the other side of the story. I am not a vegetarian, so I can’t claim to be horrified over hunting a giraffe. I’ve enjoyed kudu, oryx, springbok, goat, pig, ostrich, rabbit, bison, sheep, deer, turkey, chicken, beef, horse, frog and dozens of species of fish and shellfish [,,,and I may now add water buffalo raised and served hamburger-style right here in southern Ohio]. (The Mopane caterpillars… not so much.) And I appreciate how much income is required to maintain a conservancy that ensures certain species will continue to grow in numbers.