Is a calm debate possible on hunting in Africa?

There are Africans furious with white Europeans seeking to impact how Africa manages its own wildlife.

There are campaigners who believe that those African Governments are wrong and that no-one has the right to shoot animals.

And there are hunters who disagree.

What unites all of them is a belief that they have the best interests of Africa's iconic animals at heart. And that they know the best way to ensure that these animals survive and thrive into the next century.

Perhaps a calmer conversation might be possible if everyone stopped to look at the science—and more profoundly, allowed them to consider that those on the other side of the debate had at least some good motivations.

It might also be helpful if those whose emotional reaction to the issue exceeds their personal expertise showed a little more respect to those with exceptional knowledge.

For instance, how does the knowledge of the actress Joanna Lumley compare with the academic Amy Dickman? One uses her celebrity to change laws regarding hunting in Africa while the other is the Professor in charge of Oxford University's Conservation Research Unit who has spent decades living in Africa. They have very different views. And very, very different levels of knowledge.