Teddy Roosevelt on safari in East Africa – Uganda
Theodore Roosevelt America’s first Conservation President-Wildlife Massacre Safari in East Africa, including Uganda
Teddy Roosevelt on Safari – Guns blazing, shooting everything that moved: Teddy Roosevelt’s African safari has been widely criticized for its excessive hunting and disregard for wildlife preservation. Instead of going to Africa to conserve its Wildlife, Roosevelt approached it as a hunting expedition. The affiliation with the Smithsonian Institute covered what many consider a senseless hunt in East Africa.
During his safari in 1909, Roosevelt and his party were responsible for the killing or trapping 11,397 animals, ranging from insects to elephants. This reckless approach to hunting was conducted under the guise of scientific research despite the questionable necessity of obtaining stuffed animals for the Smithsonian Institute.
While Teddy Roosevelt is often hailed as America’s first Conservationist President, his actions in Africa paint a different picture. He earned a reputation as “Big Bwana Tumbo,” a moniker highlighting his affinity for hunting and his association with firearms.
It is essential to recognize that Wildlife in Africa rightfully belongs to the African wild and should be protected and conserved responsibly and sustainably. Roosevelt’s safari stands as a stark example of the need for a more enlightened approach to wildlife preservation and the importance of respecting our planet’s natural habitats and ecosystems.
Or African Wildlife. He remains the model for Trophy Hunters who still flock to Africa each year to kill African Game in the Wild.
Teddy Roosevelt, America’s First American Conservation President on Safari
In 1910, President Theodore Roosevelt expressed a sentiment that emphasized the importance of treating natural resources as assets to be passed on to future generations. He believed a nation acts responsibly when it leaves its land increased in value for the next generation rather than depleted. This ideology, known as the conservation of natural resources, underscored his approach to environmental stewardship.
However, in 1909, President Roosevelt embarked on a journey to East Africa, including Uganda, on a year-long hunting expedition. This expedition primarily focused on collecting specimens for the Smithsonian Institute without considering conservation efforts.
Accompanied by various big game hunters, including Frederick Selous, renowned for his hunting prowess, President Roosevelt engaged in a hunting spree, disregarding the need for balance and conservation in Africa’s Wildlife. Ironically, Frederick Selous became an advocate for wildlife conservation later in life, recognizing the importance of preserving Africa’s natural heritage.
Taxidermists and zoologists accompanied the hunting party, and it is widely believed that President Roosevelt thoroughly enjoyed his hunting safari in Africa. Unfortunately, his hunting expedition inspired others to follow suit, including notable figures like Ernest Hemingway.
Regrettably, even in the 21st century, some African hunting tour operators still hold President Roosevelt as a role model for big game trophy hunting. This perpetuates a perspective that contradicts contemporary conservation efforts and the need to protect Africa’s Wildlife for future generations.
Recognizing the complexities and contradictions in historical figures’ actions and legacies is crucial. While President Roosevelt made significant contributions to conservation efforts in the United States, his African hunting expedition highlights a different aspect of his estate—one that falls short in terms of wildlife preservation and balance in nature.
Rough Rider – Teddy Roosevelt Roughshod Hunting Expedition
Theodore Roosevelt, known as the “Rough Rider of old,” embarked on an East African adventure, traversing the land with a gun. Accompanied by his son and a hunting party led by Frederick Selous, a renowned British big game hunter, Roosevelt was initially celebrated worldwide as a hunter, explorer, and military figure. However, like many others, Selous experienced a change of heart later in life, developing deep concerns about maintaining a sustainable balance in the natural world.
During his safari, Roosevelt earned the “Bwana Mukabwa,” meaning Great Master. However, the hundreds of porters involved in this East African hunting expedition referred to him as “Bwana Tumbo,” which translates to Mr. Stomach in English, alluding to his voracious appetite for Africa’s Wildlife, including big game, birds, and reptiles. While Roosevelt is considered a conservationist in America, his conservation philosophy did not appear evident in his approach to Wildlife along his East African route.
Throughout his 11-month hunting expedition, Roosevelt trapped an astonishing number of animals. The tally included 44,900 mammals, 4,000 birds, 2,000 reptiles, and 500 fish. Among the animals killed were nine elephants, eight black rhinos, five white rhinos, seven giraffes, six buffalos, twelve topi, ten Uganda kob, and a shoebill. Roosevelt described this collection as the “most noteworthy collection of animals [that] has ever come out of Africa.”
When confronted by critics, Roosevelt defended his hunt by drawing attention to the existence and importance of institutions such as the National Museum and the American Museum of Natural History. He argued that his actions should only be condemned if these institutions themselves were to be charged.
It is essential to acknowledge that Roosevelt’s hunting expedition and the subsequent collection of animals hold historical significance within the context of the time. However, today’s perspectives on wildlife conservation and the principles of sustainable hunting have evolved significantly, reflecting a greater emphasis on preserving the natural world for future generations.
Today, President Roosevelt and his party would be classified as poachers of endangered species.
Since President Roosevelt’s hunting and gathering trips in East Africa, including Uganda and Murchison Falls National Park, the attitudes of most Americans have significantly changed.
While some safari tour companies may still use Roosevelt’s name to evoke a sense of adventure and exploration, many now view him as “Bwana Tumbo” – a figure symbolizing the exploitation and pillaging of the African wilderness, rather than a trailblazer.
President Theodore Roosevelt made an impactful statement regarding the treatment of natural resources, emphasizing the importance of leaving the land in an enhanced state for future generations. However, his actions in Africa showcased a contradictory persona – a hunter and a conservationist, embodying both Jekyll and Hyde’s qualities. While he is revered as America’s first conservationist president, to Africans, he is seen as a figure who disregarded the conservation of African Wildlife.
In light of this complex legacy, it is essential to recognize the changing perspectives on conservation and to approach safaris in the spirit of preserving and conserving for future generations rather than replicating Roosevelt’s hunting expeditions.
