University public lecture to ask if big game hunting in Africa can help conservation

A public lecture at the University of Gloucestershire on 30 September will look at big game hunting in Africa and examine whether it can sometimes be justified. In his talk, titled ‘Big Game, High Stakes: African Hunting’, Adam Hart, Professor of Science Communication at the University, will be taking an unflinching look at trophy hunting across Africa and discussing its role in conservation.

Following the well-publicised shooting of Cecil the Lion in Zimbabwe by an American dentist, Professor Hart travelled to the region to record a BBC Radio 4 documentary about trophy hunting, due to air at the start of September. While in South Africa, he spoke to hunters, land owners and conservationists about the role that hunting can actually play in lion conservation, and travelled to the game reserves to see the big cats in their natural habitat.

Speaking about his upcoming lecture, Professor Hart said: ‘The death of Cecil of Lion has made people realise that trophy hunting is not a thing of the past. But lions face far bigger threats than rich dentists and in this lecture I will explore some of the issues affecting them, and examine the role that trophy hunting can play in conservation. Can it ever be right, or necessary, to “kill to conserve”?’

Starting at 6pm, with refreshments available from 5.30pm, the lecture is free to attend but booking is essential. Book tickets for ‘Big Game, High Stakes: African Hunting’.

Find out more about the University of Gloucestershire’s public lecture series.