Don’t ban the hunters, says farmer who fought off lion and elephants
A FARMER who twice cheated death after being attacked by a lion and a herd of elephants has called on MPs to reject a ban on trophy hunting imports.
Father- of-four Frank Limbo said it would have a devastating impact on rural communities in his native Botswana in southern Africa if Westminster introduces a law making it illegal to bring keepsakes such as tusks back to the UK.
The Bill gets its second reading in the House of Commons today, aimed at protecting endangered wildlife and destroying the big game hunting business.
But a delegation of 50 scientists, economists, politicians and farmers from Botswana met politicians in London this week, determined to explain why any ban will have negative repercussions 5,000 miles away. Mr Limbo, 69, told the Mail: ‘Trophy hunting should not stop, it is crucial for my community and a livelihood for so many people.
‘If people cannot bring their trophies back, they will not come to Botswana. Hunting should not be stopped indefinitely.’
Mr Limbo, a cattle farmer in the Chobe district of northern Botswana, spent two months in hospital after being attacked by a lioness in 2004. Little over a decade later he was trampled by three elephants who were looking for food.
He fears a lack of organised hunts will mean more animals straying on to his land in search of food. ‘Both attacks were so scary,’ he said. ‘Lions are killing machines so I thought it was going to be my last breath. Other people may not have the same fortune, and I am worried what will happen if interest in hunting is reduced by this proposed ban.’
Conservationist Tawana Moremi said trophy hunting is a way for locals to earn a livelihood.
He hit out at celebrities such as Gary Lineker and Dame Joanna Lumley for previously supporting an identical Bill.
The Hunting Trophies (Import Prohibition) Bill passed through the Commons but ran out of time in the Lords last year. Neither Bill mentioned a ban on domestic big game hunting, yet the UK exports many such ‘trophies’, including antlers, horns and beaks.
This week, Botswana’s environment and tourism minister Dumezweni Mthimkhulu threatened to send 10,000 wild elephants to London’s Hyde Park ‘so Britons can try living with them’.
He said: ‘Elephant numbers, like those of Scottish stags, have to be controlled. Hunters in the Highlands pay to shoot deer and put their antlers on their walls. So why is Britain trying to stop Africa doing the same? We don’t want colonial interference from Britain.’
‘Both attacks were so scary’