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Welfare Implications of the Night Shooting of Wild Impala (Aepyceros Melampus)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 January 2023

A R Lewis ,
A M Pinchin  and
S C Kestin
A R Lewis
Affiliation:
MAFF, Government Buildings, Alphington Road, Exeter, Devon EX2 8NQ, UK
A M Pinchin*
Affiliation:
Department of Clinical Veterinary Science, University of Bristol, Langford, Bristol BS18 7DY, UK
S C Kestin
Affiliation:
Department of Clinical Veterinary Science, University of Bristol, Langford, Bristol BS18 7DY, UK
*
† Contact for correspondence and requests for reprints
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Abstract

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The most common method of culling impala (Aepyceros melampus) and many other antelope species in Africa was evaluated from a welfare point of view. The culling of 856 impala from 401 herds was observed and recorded in the Mkuzi Game Reserve, South Africa. Ninety-three per cent of animals were killed instantaneously by the first shot. Results indicated that herd size and composition, distance of herd from hunting vehicle and shot number all have a bearing on the number of animals wounded and missed. It is concluded that the culling of free-ranging impala by night-hunting in the manner described is a satisfactory method on welfare grounds, although a number of recommendations are made which might render the culling process more humane. It is argued that economic and welfare considerations are not necessarily in conflict, and long-term efficiency is likely to be enhanced by addressing both simultaneously.

Keywords

animal welfarecullingimpalawildlife
Type
Research Article
Information
Animal Welfare , Volume 6 , Issue 2 , May 1997 , pp. 123 - 131
Copyright
© 1997 Universities Federation for Animal Welfare

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