The concerns stem from a bid proposal tender document, posted by the North West Parks and Tourism Board (NWPTB) on social media in May but since removed, for the hunting of wildlife including 25 elephant, two black rhino and 10 buffalo.
Meanwhile, a turnaround strategy announced by the North West Department of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism (DEDECT) MEC Bitsa Lenkopane on June 19 proposed measures that included regulated trophy hunting, in addition to contraception, and selective culling of “animals with health deficiencies” as a solution to an overpopulation of elephants in Madikwe.
A lodge owner in the reserve, who spoke to Tourism Update on condition of anonymity, said Madikwe’s 33 safari lodges generate approximately R1 billion (€47.8 million) in annual revenue and create hundreds of jobs for communities.
“By contrast, trophy hunting would bring in approximately R5 million (€239 000) to R7 million (€335 000) per year while simultaneously dealing a devasting blow to the photographic tourism sector,” the lodge owner said.
Michele Pickover, Executive Director of the EMS Foundation, emphasised her belief that the provincial government is heavily influenced by the hunting industry.
“They are pushing short-term monetary incentives based on consumptive use at the expense of eco-tourism,” she said.
The DEDECT did not respond to Tourism Update’s enquiries about reintroducing trophy hunting at Madikwe.
Elephant quandary reaches boiling point
Controversy has swirled around failure of the NWPTB and DEDECT to implement an effective elephant population management plan in the 75 000 hectare fenced reserve. Elephant numbers in Madikwe have ballooned to over 1 600 –more than three times the optimal population of 500.
North West conservation officials were hauled over the coals in the provincial legislature on June 10 due to the situation. This after the National Council of SPCAs drew attention to the starvation of 75 elephants during a multi-year drought that ended with the return of seasonal rains early this year.
Pickover said the EMS Foundation conducted its own research at Madikwe in February as it did not buy into narratives from some quarters on the extent of ecological degradation and loss of wildlife as a result of the drought.
“In February 2025, the seasonal rains had arrived and the bush was lush, and there was no evidence of ecological devastation or starving elephants or other large herbivores at Madikwe.”
Pickover alleged that exaggerated narratives are being pushed by organisations such as the Sustainable Use Coalition Southern Africa (SUCo-SA), which described Madikwe in December as “a barren wasteland struck by a nuclear bomb where vegetation has been decimated, biodiversity is collapsing and animals are perishing due to starvation.”
“SUCo-SA is a pro trophy hunting and pro-wildlife trade coalition and appears to support the agriculturalisation of biodiversity,” said Pickover.
The EMS Foundation sent a Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA) request to DEDECT subsequent to its Madikwe visit, asking for detailed information on the reserve’s elephant population and elephant management plan.
“To date, in non-compliance with the provisions of PAIA, no response has been received. Indeed, the department is a serial violator of PAIA as several of our PAIA requests in the past few years have received the same treatment,” Pickover said.
Original Source: https://www.tourismupdate.com/article/trophy-hunting-cloud-looms-over-madikwe
