Move to ban display of wildlife trophies in social media

K.S. Sudhi,

KOCHI, 
TheHindu, January 7, 2015

Flaunting of images of hunted wildlife and wildlife trophies in social media sites may land one in trouble.

Taking note of instances of some social media users flaunting pictures of wildlife articles and trophies, the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) has decided to discourage the trend as it fears it would encourage hunting and promote illegal wildlife trade.

The WCCB has written to the Chief Wildlife Wardens of the State to draft legal provisions to check the display of such articles by those who legally own these materials.

According to S.B. Negi, Additional Director, WCCB, there have been “instances of hunted wild animal/ wild animal trophies/articles being displayed on social media by certain individuals. Prima facie, the objective is to show wild animal hunting as an act of bravery and possession of wild animal trophy/article as symbol of wealth/ status,” he pointed out in a recent advisory.

Wrong message

The display of such “hunted wild animal or animal articles/ trophies, may encourage hunting or/and stimulate illegal wildlife trade; therefore it needs to be stopped,” he directed the State forest officials.

Even though only a few individuals may be posting such pictures in social media, its impact would be big considering the reach of social media sites. Primarily, people would be displaying such materials as part of flaunting their wealth or valour of those who might have hunted down animals, Mr. Negi told The Hindu .

At present, there are no legal provisions for banning such display. However, provisions must be incorporated while issuing certificate of ownership of wild animal article and trophy. The State wildlife wardens have been asked to incorporate the provisions as they issue permissions for holding such materials.

The Bureau can act against such instances once the provisions banning the display are incorporated in the permissions, he said.

Legislation

The Bureau has also asked the State wardens to make legislations invoking Section 64 of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, which permits the State governments to make rules regarding the regulation of possession, transfer and sale of captive animals, meat, animal articles, and uncured trophies.

When contacted, a senior official of the Kerala Forest Department said no such instances had been reported from the State. As of now, the display of such materials has not been banned by law, he said.