In British Columbia, the sport of trophy hunting for grizzly bears has been practised for hundreds of years. However, data from a recent poll conducted in British Columbia and Alberta reports that around 90% of people do not support trophy hunting for grizzly bears. If this is the case, why is it still legal and practised?
Trophy hunting involves killing a bear for only its fur, paws or head.
One factor may include the scientific and economic evidence supporting this sport. The hunting of grizzly bears will not affect their long term stability and at the same time, trophy hunting contributes roughly 350 million dollars to the British Columbian economy every year.
With the promise of no long term effects as well as a slight boost to our economy it seems natural that we continue this practice. Right?
The answer to this question lies within the moral and ethical values that are innate to all humans. The fact that we have the power and authority to hunt grizzly bears as a sport does not mean we are morally or ethically inclined to do so. I believe that trophy hunting should be illegal. The killing of an animal for the sake of enjoyment is distasteful and it promotes the unjustified destruction of the natural environment. If the line isn’t drawn with grizzly bears tragedies like the death of Cecil, Zimbabwe’s most famous lion, at the hands of a trophy hunter are bound to occur again.
Reference link: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/british-columbia/opposition-to-trophy-hunting-overwhelming-poll-finds-amid-grizzly-debate/article26640089/