Green hunting

The measurements and details of a tranquilized animal are generally accepted by hunting organization's logbooks and fiberglass trophy mounts can be made to accolade the hunter.

[7] The fees finance the conservation project that necessitates an immobilized animal for microchipping, ear-notching, tissue collection or GPS tracking and any additional funds can be used to support the management of the protected area involved.

[8][9] Due to the significantly reduced terminal ballistics, the hunter must get within 30 metres (98 ft) from the target animal to successfully dart it, often much closer than required for traditional hunting.

The loss of profitability in conventional agriculture through deregulation, farming subsidies and other changes to land-related policies led to rapid conversion of farmland to game ranche,[7] leading initiatives like green hunting to be widely and quickly implemented.

[11] Despite "strict protocols" established in South Africa by the Department of Nature Conservation as green hunting gain popularity,[8] legislation in 2006 banned non-veterinarians from darting animals, eliminating it as an alternative for trophy hunters in the country.

[13] Amid this negative reputation, green hunting continues in the form of spectator darting safaris in South Africa and its role in the mitigation of rhinoceros horn trade is still considered valuable.

[17] Green hunting is now generally denounced by governments, conservation organizations and animal rights groups due to cases of corruption, concerns about the ethics of dart safaris[18] and issues of tranquilizer being sold by veterinarians on the black market.

[9][10] Known dangers of the tranquilization process include cardiac arrest, asphyxiation and/or organ damage from the position of the animal upon collapse and vulnerability to predation, falling and drowning post-procedure.