UK Nature and Environment

I don't defend the hunters themselves, I agree killing exotic species for fun is terrible.

I do defend the countries that have a regulated exotic hunting industry though. People will kill these animals regardless, and having an organized and legal avenue to do so has positive benefits, even though that doesn't make sense at first. Many species are saved, as people will spend a ton of money to kill something fancy (again, this is crazy to me) and rather than giving money to poachers, the money goes to conservationists. Why do conservationists let people kill the animal they're trying to save? Because they keep track of how many animals there are and only allow a certain number to be hunted. They take the money from that, and use that to fund their conservation. Where else would they be getting money to do the conservation? It is a steady and reliable source of money to fund the protection of animals. These crazy rich people know if they shoot all the endangered whatevers, then they can't do it anymore, so they just pay the money and get a plush experience instead of risking something illegal and having a difficult and uncomfortable time.

Think of it like illicit drugs. People will do it anyway. If it's legal, it can be monitored, it can be done much more safely, and profits can go to getting people with drug problems help, for example. Yes, people are still doing drugs, which we could debate all day long if that's ok or not, but the system as a whole is better because we actually know what it going on and can work with known, factual data, as opposed to guessing what is going on.

I hope that was helpful and non-controversial. I don't promote the process, but I do see it as a net positive, the same as I don't support heroin, but support safe injection sites and needle exchanges as I see those as a positive alternative to not having those things.