No leopard hunting will be possible in The Republic of South Africa (RSA) for 2017. That’s because South Africa’s Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) has withheld the quota and no hunting licenses will be issued. The de facto closure is due to a recommendation by DEA’s scientific department, the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI).
SANBI believes South Africa’s leopard population is in decline but has not presented any research to support that conclusion. Another reason DEA gave to withhold the quota is that the North West Province failed to provide any of the required information for the DEA to make a nondetriment finding in their leopard offtake.
If you have already booked a leopard hunt for this year, be aware that your operator has no leopard permit for 2017 and will not receive one unless DEA’s decision is overturned.
If there is any questions or anything we can assist with please do not hesitate to contact us.
NB!!! Watts Trophy Hunting still got leopard permits in some of our neighboring countries.
