The Elephant & The Pauper The Ivory Debacle

[AfricaHunting.com]

We have recently completed a movie on the elephant situation in Zimbabwe in conjunction with the Hunter Proud Foundation and Conservation Force. The movie has been submitted to USFWS as a "comment" which must be considered before they make their final ruling on the importation of sport-hunted ivory into the USA.

We need to try and generate some pressure on USFWS and so the more people that know the situation on the ground, the better.

This is the link. http://vimeo.com/user17366897/review/116473289/88ae4be861

Thank you.
Best regards
Zig Mackintosh
Osprey Filming

 

[Ridge Top Ranch]

I watched this and it is the best I have seen in explaining how it really works on the ground in Africa. I have posted on my facebook page. Great work!

 

[gillettehunter]

Good explanation. Emailed it to perhaps 40 people. Bruce

 

[ScottG]

I'm speechless. Our countries arrogance is embarrassing. The CAMP FIRE program seems to be an example to the world. We have people who are concerned about the "glamour species" as they put it just can't see the big picture. I can't put a coherent thought together right now I am just so angry and ashamed. Reckless and irresponsible!

 

[Witold Krzyżanowski]

I hope this helps.Very good work.
Witold

 

[Dragan N.]

Excellent video!

This going a bit off topic but in regards to CITES and the decline of a poster boy species would be the great apes . In the 1970s when chimps and gorillas came under protection there where like a million of each in the rainforests of West Africa. Now their numbers are down to 100,000-200,000 each. And a few years ago they "discovered" 100,000 more western lowland gorillas. First of all I don't understand how such a numerous animal could come under CITES I or be classified endangered/critically endangered and obviously their policy isn't working if numbers have fallen by 90% of what it was.

 

[ScottG]

It boils down to worth. They are worth nothing to the locals. Their land is being incroached upon. They are probably poached. The " conservationist's have moved on and left them vunrable. They still pat each on the back at parties and say they did tier job by saving the great apes. Passing laws that only benefit the poachers is just silly.

 

[ActionBob]

This video is great to those of us with a real interest... But the narration is boring! And it is way to long. I tried to play it 3 times before I could get through it without interruption. Finally got a chance to sit down with my wife and watch it.. .She fell asleep.

Great information but it needs to be edited down to where it makes it's points and gets on with the story... Most American's will not sit through this (other than those of us intently interested in the subject.

I think the whole point is to reason with the majority of people who are reasonable thinking but don't know the whole story.. So are easy prey for the anti hunters... And the anties are much more successful than us in delivering a clear short and sharp message.

I can forward it on, but I cannot get people to sit through it an watch it.

 

[spike.t]

had to go back and check how long it was bob.......as it was done as more of a documentary i dont think it was too long. it needs to be shown on one of the main stream sat channels like nat geographic, discovery or animal planet.........but we know that aint going to happen. could be an idea for zig and his team to produce a shortened carefully edited version for sleepy people but to still get the main info over while making it into a short version could be difficult. what time length would you suggest?

 

[ActionBob]

Mike it really does need to be shown as a documentary and it is truly disgusting that there may be little chance of that.

I'm afraid much of the American public is too used to getting their information in sound bytes and tweets. Obviously too short to get that whole message out... But perhaps a couple minute teaser that makes the main points quickly, and then directs the viewer to the main video?

 

[Dragan N.]

This video is great to those of us with a real interest... But the narration is boring! And it is way to long. I tried to play it 3 times before I could get through it without interruption. Finally got a chance to sit down with my wife and watch it.. .She fell asleep.

Great information but it needs to be edited down to where it makes it's points and gets on with the story... Most American's will not sit through this (other than those of us intently interested in the subject.

I think the whole point is to reason with the majority of people who are reasonable thinking but don't know the whole story.. So are easy prey for the anti hunters... And the anties are much more successful than us in delivering a clear short and sharp message.

I can forward it on, but I cannot get people to sit through it an watch it.

ActionBob,
Yes people are unfortunately fact immune. The makers of this documentary are well intentioned, informed and very knowledgeable on this subject. It is an excellent documentary but it is not necessarily very persuasive. To get people/non hunters on the hunting side, the industry would have to hire advertisers/lobbyists/PR specialists. Essentially people who are masters of propaganda and persuasion. This is what the antis and they are quite successful despite the fact that they don't have any hard facts or successes to point to that support their side.

 

[ActionBob]

Yea Dragon the video hits home to me because I went there, saw, participated, and can now understand.... I feel very fortunate to have been able to experience this all first hand.... I know a lot of people question that hunt because my trophies may never be "coming home" to me.... But the experience is the real trophy. And it is a calculated gamble that they may see the light and open it up retroactively.

Then there is a side to me that would just as soon give those stupid bureaucrats a big flipping middle finger!

But to your point, you summed up my thoughts on this as well. Great video if you are "invested" in it as hunters and especially those on here are.... But to the masses, a yawner and probably channel changer.

The antis really do take a lesson from the propaganda experts... and succeed. Tell a big enough lie with conviction and you can get people to believe it is the truth.

 

[bebo]

Interesting , even for us, that's sure but ...
who is the target of this video ? Us ? We are already convinced . Other ? Not enough " punchy ", too long.

 

[ScottG]

I think most people other than your hunters or people that have been around hunting will dismiss this video. They just don't get that hunting and conservation go hand and hand. The "glamor" species for the vast majority of Americans is a hunting taboo.

I was taken that Kenya just let thousands of elephants starve. Most cannot grasp the delicate balance that exists in Africa especially with the elephant. Kenya is held by the anti's as this shinning example of banning hunting. They are never told of the over populations and the starvation or the culling that brings no financial support. They are not told of the lack of funds to stop the poaching. Let them live in peace and be free is their montra. They are free to starve and die of thirst with no ones help totally free. A useless death is not better than one that gave back to the people, the country and to the wildlife in which it lived. Sustaianable hunting is the only way to help save not only the elephant but the majority of Africa's animals. Populations will continue to rise and so will the number of cattle and grazing animals. The wildlife will be pushed out except for the large ranches and parks.

 

[Deleted member 15212]

wow, this is great!

 

[rookhawk]

I think to the points above, I'd throw a challenge up to the editing team.

How much can you cram into an 8 minute briefing max?

In business I was always coached to not be so verbose and work on my "elevator pitch". Meaning what can I do in 90 seconds to 5 minutes to captivate a VIP that won't give me longer on their calendar.

There was a great TEDx Copenhagan video that was perhaps 10 minutes that explained why lion hunting was critical. Can you edit this great documentary down to give a persuasive synopsis to the uninformed in a few minutes?

 

[BRICKBURN]

................
There was a great TEDx Copenhagan video that was perhaps 10 minutes that explained why lion hunting was critical. Can you edit this great documentary down to give a persuasive synopsis to the uninformed in a few minutes?

 

[Charles de Ribeau]

I know that I am very late in responding to this thread, however, I felt compelled to share my 2 cents worth. I and my company have been consulting with software companies (including many that are household names) about their marketing for 20 years. When I began, a paper that I wrote for my first client was 28 pages long and even after 3 or 4 years I was told by the VP of Sales that it was still their best piece of marketing collateral.

Fast forward to today. Clients no longer want even a 10 page paper. Instead, they want blogs, infographics and short videos. Why? The answer is simple: we are in the era of "short attention span theater". Text messages, Twitter (so stupid), etc. American society is on information overload and also trained to instant answers and instant gratification.

My point is that I support of the suggestions above about the need to shorten it and "punch it up". If you'd like my help, don't hesitate to contact me directly.