Africa-Press – Eswatini. After two years of stringent restrictions, Eswatini’s Big Game Parks (BGP) has officially lifted the national moratorium on hunting, culling, harvesting, and the export of wildlife. Effective from May 1, 2025, this decision marks the end of a temporary halt first imposed in April 2022 and later extended into 2023, in a bold move to safeguard the kingdom’s treasured biodiversity.
In a general notice dated April 30, 2025, the BGP—Eswatini’s National Wildlife Authority—announced that all categories of game, including royal and common species, are now open to regulated utilization. The authority acknowledged the complexity of wildlife management and emphasized the need for “caution and scrutiny” in processing any wildlife use applications.
“While this is a blanket lifting of the moratorium, BGP will approach applications for utilization with an added measure of scrutiny to prevent the need for future moratoriums,” stated M. Reilly, BGP’s Conservation and Security Executive. “Sustainability of Eswatini’s wildlife and the habitats they depend on remains paramount.”
Stakeholders, especially landowners and managers of game-rich areas, have been strongly advised to ensure any hunting, harvesting, or wildlife capture activities are executed ethically, legally, and sustainably. The authority emphasized that operations must be “beyond any ethical or other reproach,” reinforcing Eswatini’s long-standing commitment to conservation and responsible tourism.
BGP extended heartfelt gratitude to wildlife stakeholders, notably members of the Eswatini Game Ranchers Association, for their patience and cooperation during the suspension period. Their collective resolve, the authority said, played a critical role in achieving this milestone.
The lifting of the moratorium is expected to breathe new life into Eswatini’s wildlife-based economy, particularly for communities and enterprises dependent on eco-tourism and game ranching. However, the road ahead demands heightened vigilance and collaboration to ensure that the country’s rich biodiversity is protected for future generations.
“Let us seize this opportunity not just to benefit from our wildlife resources, but to protect and preserve them with renewed purpose,” the notice concluded.
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