"Hippo lives are on the line in order to line the pockets of a few hunting operators and government officials." A South African hunting outfitter is offering Luangwa hippo packages at R200 000 for 5 hippos per hunter. The slaughter could have far-reaching consequences for Zambia as a developing country if UK aid is reconsidered. In 2015, the now-defunct Zambian Wildlife Authority (ZAWA) signed a culling contract with a South African hunting outfitter, Mabwe Adventures Limited. Over 7 300kgs of hippo tusks and teeth were internationally traded in 2018 alone - a 64-fold increase since 2007.

Source: News 24 February 15, 2019 08:15 UTC