Abstract:
In a number of African countries, the trophy hunting of large felids is an important revenue
generator for landholders, governments and in some cases communities. The hunting of
large felids is especially profitable but they are sensitive to harvest, as the killing of
prime-aged, dominant males can lead to infanticide and lowered reproductive success. In
an attempt to limit the negative impacts of trophy hunting on large felids, the scientific
community has proposed a number of interventions, including age restrictions on the
animals that may be hunted. Such interventions are theoretically complementary to trophy
hunting, as hunters typically seek large trophies, and older animals are normally larger
than younger ones in large felids. If trophy size results in an increase in trophy price, then
interventions that improve average trophy size could confer elevated earnings. This is
particularly true if such interventions increased the number of failed hunts such that the
same tag can be sold more than once.However, if trophy size is not one of the most important
factors determining the desirability of a hunt (which we judge by the price paid for a trophy
hunt package), it may be more difficult to implement such schemes. It is therefore important
to evaluate potential determinants of trophy hunt package price; and we examine that here
for leopards (Panthera pardus) in Africa, at both the country and outfitter level.We show that
Tanzania and Botswana have the most expensive package prices while South Africa has
the cheapest packages. At the country level, we found no statistical relationships between
package price and leopard trophy size (either through advertised website or Safari Club
International (SCI) leopard trophy size), country GDP, relative hunt success, or quota size.
Contrastingly, the number of charismatic species offered within a package and an index of
outfitter reputation (as measured by total SCI trophy records) were positively associated
with package price. Interestingly, SCI leopard trophy size was inversely correlated with
package price.Our results suggest that hunters do not value leopard trophy size above other
factors, which could hinder the implementation of more sustainable, age-based leopard
hunting regulations.
