Outrage at pay-to-slay auction to kill 36 New Zealand animals to raise more than NZD$ 867 000 for U.S. trophy hunting group’s anti-wildlife agenda

LONDON (1st February 2018)—This week in Las Vegas, Safari Club International (SCI) will auction off the killing of 36 animals in New Zealand valued at more than NZD$ 867 000. SCI’s auction allows hunters to bid on New Zealand trips in which they get to kill introduced animals like red stags, Himalayan tahr, Arapawa rams, fallow deer, rusa deer, sika deer, chamois, and thar.

Nearly 740 animals in total will be auctioned off in global hunts valued at nearly NZD$6,8 million, with many other hunts booked on the convention floor.
The event, which is expected to draw nearly 25,000 hunters, comes just two months after a global uproar over U.S. imports of elephant and lion trophies from Zimbabwe and Zambia.

All profits, including from the New Zealand trophy hunts, will go toward funding SCI, one of the world’s largest trophy hunting interest groups. SCI’s annual auction raises substantial funds (generating NZD$19,9 million in 2016), which it uses to actively lobby against measures that would increase protection for threatened species throughout the world. For example, in 2017 SCI co-hosted the African Wildlife Consultative Forum (AWCF) in Tanzania, where the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service made the controversial November 2017 announcement that it would authorise trophy imports from Zimbabwe and Zambia.

Masha Kalinina, international trade policy specialist with Humane Society International said, “New Zealand must stop auctioning off its wildlife to the highest bidder! Following the global outcry in November over imports of elephant and lion trophies to the U.S., we hope this will serve as a wakeup call for all nations to end the killing. We also call on Nevada to shut its doors to SCI’s Convention for good.”

FACTS
• The top two most expensive global SCI auction items are:
• 5-Day New Zealand Trophy Red Stag, Elk, Tahr, Chamois and Fallow Deer Pathfinder Hunt for One Hunter and One Non-Hunter (hunt valued at NZD$ 136 305). Auction listed here (select “Hunt – Big Game” among categories).
• 15-Day Sweden All-Inclusive European Bison, Red Stag, Fallow Stag, Roebuck, Wild Boar, Capercaille and Driven Moose Hunt, Plus Mixed Bag Wing Shooting (hunt valued at NZD$100 320). Auction listed here (select “Hunt – Big Game”).
• The top additional most expensive New Zealand SCI auction items are:
• 5-Day New Zealand Red Deer Up To 500 and Tahr Hunt for Two Hunters and Two Observers (hunt valued at NZD$ 92 691). Auction listed here(select “Hunt – Big Game” among categories).
• 5-Day New Zealand Red Deer Hunt for Three Hunters and Three Observers (Three Couples) (hunt valued at NZD$ 74 952). Auction listed here(select “Hunt – Big Game” among categories).
• One Namibia elephant hunt and one Zimbabwe elephant hunt are also up for offer (valued at NZD$ 29 987 and NZD$ 29 292 respectively) - while elephants are facing a poaching crisis throughout Africa. Auctions listed here (select “Hunt – Big Game”).
• Top trophy hunting destinations offered in the auctioned hunts include Canada, Spain, South Africa, Argentina and the United States.
• Tanzania’s Minister of Natural Resources and Tourism recently included one SCI convention exhibitor - Game Frontiers of Tanzania Ltd – in a list of operators/owners of hunting blocks accused of supporting a wildlife poaching syndicate; the company has also been involved in other dubious activity.
• On the opening night of the SCI Convention (Wednesday January 31st), the comedian and actor Tim Allen is scheduled to perform. HSI hasappealed to Tim Allen to cancel.
• Current bidding prices may be viewed here and estimated values are listed here.
• HSI is calling on the global community to oppose the callous killing of wildlife for entertainment by signing a pledge to end trophy hunting.
Watch HSI's footage from the undercover investigation of the 2016 SCI convention.
ENDS

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