Minister Addresses State of Hunting and Conservation in Zambia
Safari Club International 01.24.13
Before an audience of more than 200 international conservationists, the Honorable Minister of Tourism and Arts Sylvia Masebo of Zambia outlined her country’s vision for sustainable-use conservation at the Safari Club International (SCI) meeting in Reno, Nev. Over the past two days, the Honorable Minister Masebo has met with the leaders in lion conservation, the leaders in big game conservation, and ardent hunter-conservationists in order to better understand the symbiotic relationship between rural communities in Zambia and the wildlife dynamics.
The audience of conservationists recognized the true dedication the Honorable Minister Masebo has made to ensure that wildlife and conservation will remain a priority for the Zambian government. The Minister also noted that the hunting community, the hunters themselves, will be the most dedicated of conservationists in helping to fund the most accurate population surveys for the country’s big game species. The Minister has also called for continued interactions between the hunting community and the anti-poaching rangers to improve enforcement throughout the many national parks and game reserves in Zambia.
“Safari Club International is incredibly appreciative of Minister Masebo taking the long journey to Reno, Nev., to address the conservation focused hunters of our organization,” said SCI President John Whipple. “Her commitment to work collaboratively with SCI and the entire hunter-conservationist community is truly welcome, and SCI’s members are today committing hundreds of thousands of dollars to conduct the necessary scientific research that is needed for Zambia’s big game species.”
The Honorable Minister of Tourism and Arts Sylvia Masebo concluded her remarks to the members of SCI with a standing ovation from all in attendance at the Annual Hunters’ Convention.
Protecting hunters’ rights and promoting wildlife conservation, SCI’s two areas of focus, historically has been the interest of hundreds of individuals long before SCI was established. But how did SCI as an organization begin?
Forty years ago, there were many safari clubs across the country made up of local, unaffiliated groups of hunters. One such was Safari Club of Los Angeles, which was formed in April 1971 by forty-seven individuals. In early 1972, an out-of-towner from a similar club in Chicago attended one of the monthly Wednesday night meetings, and it was decided that the L.A. club should attempt to combine with the one in Chicago to make it an affiliated chapter. The founder of Safari Club of Los Angeles, C.J. McElroy, went to the Windy City and instituted the new chapter.
Eleven months after the formation of Safari Club of Los Angeles, on March 9, 1972, the name was changed officially to Safari Club International. SCI continued to reach out to other independent safari clubs throughout the United States in an effort to combine them into a single overall organization.
Today, interest in SCI’s two primary missions has grown a worldwide network. Subsequent involvement and promotion of these missions is rooted in each of our 55,000 members, supported through each of our 190 membership chapters found across the globe, and put into action by government representatives and personnel both nationally and internationally.
In this way, we can encourage an appreciation for nature and wildlife so that conservation efforts remain strong, while also fighting to protect our rich hunting heritage. Big changes can be achieved through the endeavors of many who are united in a mission – the mission of Safari Club International.
