Open letter to the International hunting associations

Open Letter to the European Federation of Associations for Hunting & Conservation (FACE), Safari Club International (SCI) and SCI Foundation, Professional Hunters' Association of South Africa (PHASA) and PHASA Foundation, Dallas Safari Club (DSC)

Subject: A Call for Collaboration: Restoring Hope and Biodiversity in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)

Dear Esteemed Leaders and Members of FACE, SCI and SCI Foundation, PHASA and PHASA Foundation, and Dallas Safari Club (DSC),

I address you today with a profound sense of urgency and an unwavering belief in the power of unity among those who understand and respect the delicate balance between wildlife conservation and responsible stewardship of natural resources. Your collective memberships, numbering more than seven million passionate individuals dedicated to hunting, conservation, and safeguarding ecosystems, represent a beacon of hope for initiatives that go beyond the thrill of the hunt. It is to you that I turn, as the last hope for restoring not only biodiversity but also dignity to one of Africa's most marginalized peoples: the Batwa hunter-gatherers.

The Batwa: A People in Peril

The Batwa, one of Africa's oldest indigenous peoples, have been systematically displaced from their ancestral lands for generations. Over 50,000 Batwa currently languish in refugee camps in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), enduring conditions so deplorable that many have lost their cultural connection to the land, to nature, and to the wildlife they once thrived alongside. In North Kivu alone, more than 25,000 Batwa remain displaced after being forcefully removed from Virunga National Park in the 1970s. In South Kivu, thousands more have been evicted from areas surrounding Kahuzi-Biega National Park. The consequences of their displacement have been severe: loss of identity, poverty, and an increasing sense of hopelessness.

The Batwa, much like the wildlife you tirelessly work to protect, are on the brink of extinction—not from lack of will, but from the failures of governments, international organizations, and bureaucracies meant to safeguard them. They have endured unspeakable suffering, and they are now looking to you, their modern-day hunter counterparts, to help restore their dignity, culture, and the lands they have always called home.

The Failures of Institutions and the Urgency of Action

Corruption within various national agencies responsible for tourism and environmental management, coupled with the inefficacy of local conservation authorities, has severely undermined efforts to restore biodiversity and resettle indigenous populations like the Batwa. International organizations, while well-intentioned, often fail to address these interconnected issues in a holistic manner.

Organizations such as CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) primarily emphasize the protection of endangered species, while WWF (World Wildlife Fund) and the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) advocate for wildlife preservation. However, these efforts frequently overlook the urgent needs of indigenous peoples who have been displaced from their ancestral lands, such as the Batwa. The protection of wildlife cannot be truly effective without considering the cultural and social rights of these communities.

On the other hand, EAZA (European Association of Zoos and Aquaria), while holding numerous species in captivity for conservation purposes, has shown strong opposition to rewilding and species reintroduction efforts. This stance raises questions about the long-term effectiveness of their captive breeding programs. While they focus on the preservation of species within zoos, their reluctance to support the reintroduction of animals into their natural habitats undermines the core principle of conservation: restoring species to the wild. Zoos that are unwilling to engage in rewilding should reconsider the broader impact of their efforts on biodiversity conservation.

The UN and UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) have also been criticized for their inadequate responses to the displacement of the Batwa. While they claim to champion the rights of refugees and indigenous populations, their interventions have often been limited, leaving the Batwa without meaningful assistance in their struggle for survival and dignity.

International development organizations such as EuropeAid and USAID focus on broader development goals but frequently overlook the specific challenges faced by marginalized communities in the DRC. While their missions may include promoting sustainable development, they often do not address the urgent needs of the Batwa or the ecosystems they inhabit.

Nonprofits and animal rights organizations often prioritize maintaining their own operations rather than implementing effective, tangible solutions for both wildlife conservation and the rights of indigenous peoples. Meanwhile, bureaucratic red tape from the UN, World Bank, and the African Development Bank (AfDB) stifles genuine progress, leaving the Batwa and the wildlife of the DRC trapped in a web of inefficiency and inaction.

A Call for Change in Bureaucracy and NGO Structures

It is also essential to acknowledge that the current bureaucracies and many NGOs, while claiming to advocate for the interests of nature and indigenous peoples, often become ensnared in ideological and bureaucratic pitfalls that hinder real progress. Their focus on theoretical approaches and extensive procedures frequently leads to inefficiency and a lack of action, pushing the most vulnerable communities, like the Batwa, further into obscurity.

There is a growing sentiment that some of these organizations, by clinging to rigid and sometimes dogmatic viewpoints, contribute more to the stagnation of effective solutions than to fostering meaningful collaboration between local communities and nature. This stands in stark contrast to the urgency of the situation facing both the Batwa and the biodiversity of the DRC.

Hope and Opportunity

Despite these challenges, hope remains. The Kiala-Inkisi Wildlife Conservancy, which I am currently establishing in the Kongo-Central province, represents a unique opportunity to address these intertwined issues. This land, secured for the purpose of rewilding and ecosystem restoration, can serve as a sanctuary for endangered species while also providing a model for resettling the Batwa. By integrating the needs of both wildlife and indigenous peoples, we can create a sustainable eco-tourism initiative that benefits both biodiversity and the local community. However, without your support, our efforts may fall short.

The Irony of Modern Conservation and the Role of Hunters

I have served as a park warden for more than 15 years, working on the front lines of conservation in the DRC, and I can tell you from experience that the system is broken. Despite countless appeals to animal rights and wildlife protection organizations, I have never received a single cent from these groups to aid in the relocation of wildlife or the protection of endangered species. Yet, ironically, many of these same organizations vehemently oppose hunting, claiming to stand for animal welfare, while refusing to fund the practical solutions that could save these very animals.

In contrast, the support I have received over the years has come primarily from hunters and breeders of large game—those who understand that conservation is more than ideology; it is action. Hunters are often painted as the enemies of wildlife, but in reality, they are the ones who have consistently shown up, offering financial support, expertise, and long-term commitment to the preservation of biodiversity. In my personal experience, I have submitted applications to more than 1,000 organizations and conservation bodies, and only two of them have responded with a willingness to help.

This is not just a matter of wildlife relocation but also of human dignity. The United Nations and other international organizations claim to champion the rights of refugees, yet after more than 50 years, they have failed to provide a solution for the Batwa and other displaced peoples in eastern Congo. How can we speak of "global responsibility" when the bureaucracies designed to protect both human and animal life are mired in inefficiency, corruption, and inaction?

A Call for Modern Hunters to Restore Their Legacy

The Batwa were once the original conservationists, living in harmony with nature and relying on their skills as hunter-gatherers to survive. In many ways, you—modern hunters—are their closest counterparts. You understand the deep connection between man and nature, the respect for wildlife, and the need for balance. That is why I implore you to lend your expertise, your influence, and your resources to this cause. Together, we can ensure that the Batwa are not the last of their kind, and that the wildlife they once coexisted with is not lost forever.

I would like to reach out to your esteemed organizations for collaboration. If you could provide me with your guidance, resources, and expertise, it would greatly enhance our efforts in supporting the Batwa and restoring biodiversity.

A team of expert wildlife veterinarians and conservationists, whose collective experience in wildlife relocation and ecosystem restoration will be vital to the success of reintroducing species to the DRC, has already committed to this mission. This includes professionals specialized in the relocation of species from zoos and neighboring parks in South Africa and Europe. However, we need more than individual expertise—we need a global alliance of those who care deeply about the future of wildlife and indigenous peoples.

The Path Forward: Restoring Hope, Dignity, and Biodiversity

Our project's immediate goals are twofold:

Batwa Refuge Initiative: Relocate over 50,000 Batwa from refugee camps to safe, restored lands. While the Kiala-Inkisi Wildlife Conservancy is not their ancestral land, it can serve as a model for how successful rewilding and resettlement initiatives can take place in the DRC. Meanwhile, we will work on resettling the Batwa to secure lands where they can regain their autonomy and dignity. This will involve securing safe passage, food, small livestock, and reforestation efforts to provide them with a self-sustaining future.

Kiala-Inkisi Wildlife Conservancy: Restore 50,000 hectares of indigenous forest, plant savannah acacia species, and reintroduce wildlife—primarily sourced from zoos and neighboring reserves. This will not only rejuvenate biodiversity but also provide sustainable eco-tourism opportunities and create a genetic reservoir for endangered species.

Your involvement is crucial to achieving these objectives. We need your networks to help source animals, your expertise in wildlife management, your advocacy to overcome bureaucratic hurdles, and your financial support to ensure the success of both the Batwa resettlement and wildlife reintroduction.

Conclusion: A Shared Responsibility

The world is witnessing the rapid disappearance of both species and cultures. We have a profound obligation—to ourselves and future generations—to act decisively before it is too late. The Batwa and the wildlife of the DRC are counting on us. Together, we can reshape the narrative of conservation and indigenous rights, demonstrating that these goals are not mutually exclusive.

By uniting our efforts, we can create a sustainable model that honors the rights of indigenous peoples while safeguarding the biodiversity of our planet. Let us not allow corruption, bureaucracy, and inaction to extinguish the flame of hope for the Batwa and the wildlife they cherish.

Join me in this vital mission. Together, we can restore dignity, culture, and biodiversity in the DRC, forging a legacy of responsible stewardship and ethical conservation.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

Jean Kiala-Inkisi
President
Kiala-Inkisi Foundation