Hunting as a tool for conservation: what do we need to ... · Hunting as a tool for conservation: what do we need to make it work? 02/12/2016 Dana Yermolyonok Dana Yermolyonok (GIZ)

Page 1

Implemented by

Hunting as a tool for conservation: what do we need

to make it work?

Dana Yermolyonok02/12/2016

Dana Yermolyonok (GIZ) in cooperation with Stefan Michel (IUCN Species Survival

Commission – Caprinae Specialist Group and Sustainable Use and Livelihoods

Specialist Group) and Panthera

04.09.2016, IUCN World Conservation Forum, Hawaii

The GIZ regional project “Ecosystem-based Adaptation in High Mountainous Regions of Central Asia” is a part of the

International Climate Initiative (IKI). The German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Building and Nuclear

Safety (BMUB) supports this initiative on the basis of a decision adopted by the German Bundestag.

Page 2

Implemented by

Case study Tajikistan: mountain ungulates and snow leopard


• project started in 2008

• Ibex and wild boar hunts since 2012, markhor hunts

since 2014

Local traditional hunters in the Tajik Pamirs:

• four conservancies run by NGOs, three by small

family businesses – wildlife management rights to

more than 2,500 km²;

• protected and managed by 40 volunteer and about

50 employed rangers;

• Income from trophy hunts and tourism;

• Surveys indicate:

508 Marco Polo sheep and 1,919 Asiatic ibex in the

NGO managed conservancies

1,450 Tajik markhor, 12 Asiatic ibex and 25 Bukhara

urial in family managed conservancies,

• In total at least 25 snow leopards detected.

Page 3

Implemented by


How are key decisions made?

• legal entities (NGOs, family

businesses) have rights to manage

wildlife

• these decisions made within the

frame of a contract with NGOs

/family businesses

• NGOs/family businesses apply for

hunting quota based on monitoring

results

• Quotas approved by Government

(Red Listed species) and by

Forestry Agency (other species)

Page 4

Implemented by


• Permit fees collected by Government are allocated to communal administration,

environmental protection agencies and protected areas

• NGOs and family businesses can hunt (based on quota) themselves, or sell hunts to

tourists

• Price of the hunt includes permit fee for government and income for the NGOs/family

businesses (as well as services provided)

• Locally purchased services contribute to livelihoods at the community level

• Income of NGOs is spent for conservation activities and support of social-economic

development in the communities

• Family businesses use income for payment of employees including rangers,

conservation activities and profit of the company, volunteer contribution for social-

economic development

Who benefits from wildlife?

Page 5

Implemented by


• Own hunting opportunities

motivate conservation and

sustainable management of

wildlife populations

• Cash income is directly

dependent on the condition of the

wildlife population

• In communities it motives broader

support and reduces efforts

needed for protection against

poaching, can motivate habitat

conservation

How do benefits from hunting give incentives for nature conservation?

Page 6

Implemented by


• Long-term secure use rights for wildlife to legal entities representing local community

• Preferably non-profit form of legal entities, with statute requiring use of earnings for

conservation and local community development.

• Formal and informal obligations for family businesses to provide benefits to the entire

community.

What actions are needed for hunting to provide positive benefits for

conservation of wildlife and for people?

Page 7

Implemented by


• If population numbers and/or legal framework does not yet allow for the profitable

use of animals, initial investments/ compensations may be required.

• Setting and allocation of quotas should be based on site specific population

monitoring and market

• Quotas should be allocated directly to the legal entities, and marketed with as few as

possible intermediaries.

What actions are needed for hunting to provide positive benefits for

conservation of wildlife and for people?

Page 8

Implemented by


The Project “Conservation of Mountain Ungulates in Tajikistan”

received the CIC Markhor Award at the 12th Meeting of

the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological

Diversity.

Page 9

Implemented by


Thank you for your attention!

Documents

Hunting as a tool for conservation: what do we need to ... · Hunting as a tool for conservation: what do we need to make it work? 02/12/2016 Dana Yermolyonok Dana Yermolyonok (GIZ)