Trophy hunting plays an important role in Community-Based Natural Resource Management (CBNRM) by generating income, supporting conservation and incentivizing wildlife protection. However, its success depends on more than just financial returns. Koot’s study introduces the idea of “social affordances,” emphasizing how local history, social dynamics and governance structures shape how communities experience and benefit from trophy hunting.
Through ethnographic research in two Namibian conservancies (Khwe and Ju/’hoansi), Koot found that, while hunting provided meat and employment, challenges like unequal power dynamics, limited transparency and internal tensions reduced satisfaction, especially among the more marginalized Khwe. The Ju/’hoansi, with greater autonomy, showed stronger engagement, but concerns remained.
This research underscores the need to strengthen community participation, ensure fair benefit-sharing and address historical inequalities. When social and cultural factors are integrated into CBNRM, trophy hunting can more effectively serve both conservation and community development, reinforcing its long-term sustainability and local support.
