Celebrating the 80th anniversary of the International Council for Game and Wildlife Conservation, we published a special double issue of the CIC Newsletter, (No. 2-3/2008).

 

In this edition we presented a short overview in which we look back on 80 years of this extraordinary organisation and bring a selection of special moments of its history. These milestones chosen to be shown to you also mark steps in the evolving interrelation of conservation, game management and sustainable hunting, especially against the background of global environmental change.

 

The idea for CIC, abbreviation for the French ”Conseil international de la chasse” first came up in 1910 at an international hunting exhibition in Vienna. Many of the initial discussions aiming to establish the organisation took place at the manor of Count Károlyi in Palárikovo that today gives shelter to the CIC Museum.

 

Based on this concept a circle of friends, Count Louis Károlyi, Count Rudolf Colloredo Mannsfeld, Count Paul Pálffy and the French lawyer Maxime Ducrocq organised an interntional conference that led several legal experts to elaborate the Statutes of the CIC in November 1928 and in 1930 the CIC was registered in Paris.

 

These incredibly visionary men recognized that the future of hunting depended on rational management of game and an effective conservation of habitat and also that international exchange of information was essential for all conservation efforts. This recognition signified that the founders of CIC realized the importance of sustainable use and conservation of wildlife far before the launch of most environmental movements.

 

From that beginning, the CIC has promoted high ideals for sustainable and ethical hunting, stressing that hunting and the conservation of wildlife go hand in hand. Apart from hunting, the CIC was involved in many other subjects with regard to nature conservation. As proof of environmental thinking, consider that as early as 1931 the CIC elaborated international cooperation plans concerning marine oil pollution, among many other initiatives and drafts for legal regulation.

 

We believe that CIC is indeed a unique organisation. Its members, a community of hunters, experts on game biology and management, professionals and amateurs in wildlife conservation from all over the world unite for one common goal: that nature be maintained for future generations through sustainable use.

 

During its 80 years of existence, CIC has gained global recognition as an independent advisor in the conservation of wildlife resources: in addition to its practical work in the field it promotes the principle of sustainable use in international policy development. Today, as the stress on environment continues to grow, it is more important than ever that CIC stand for its values and promote the wise use of nature, including wildlife conservation through sustainable hunting.

 

In this spirit, let us present a special selection of photos and extracts of articles on some though not all significant events and personalities of CIC.

 

Count Louis Károlyi

 

Co-founder of the CIC, who offered his manor in Palárikovo (formerly Tót-Megyer) for the first discussions on the creation of the organization.

 

Mitgründer des CIC. Die ersten Diskussionen über die Erschaffung der Organisation fanden auf seinem Gut in Palárikovo (ehemals Tót-Megyer) statt.

 

Co-fondateur du CIC qui a offert son château à Palàrikovo (jadis Tót-Megyer) pour les premières discussions concernant la création de l’organisation.

 

 

 

 

Maxime Ducrocq

 

 

President of the French Saint Hubertus Club, Co-founder and first President of the CIC (1930-1949).

 

Präsident des französischen Saint Hubertus Clubs, Mitgründer und erster Präsident des CIC (1930-1949).

 

Président du Club de Saint Hubert français, co-fondateur et premier Président du CIC (1930-1949).

 

 

 

 

 

 

At the occasion of the meeting of the prevalent Migratory Birds Commission of the CIC, in Brussels in June 1935, a document of historic significance was born. Among the themes of the session was the question of maritime oil pollution. A review of the international situation, proposals for legislation and cooperation for states as well as methods for bird protection were discussed. As a conclusion, the Commission stated „We have to consider this danger as one of the future, not a scourge of the past”.

 

Umweltverschmutzung und Vögel

 

Während der Sitzung der CIC Zugvogelkommission in Brüssel im Juni 1935, wurde ein historisch bedeutsames Dokument verabschiedet. Unter den verschiedenen Themen war eines die Frage der Ölverschmutzung der Meere. Eine Übersicht über die internationale Lage, Vorschläge für Gesetzgebung und Zusammenarbeit für Staaten sowie Methoden der Vogelerhaltung wurden diskutiert. Als Fazit erklärte die Kommission „Wir müssen dies als ein Gefahr der Zukunft und nicht als eine Plage der Vergangenheit betrachten“.

 

Pollution et Oiseaux

 

À l’occasion de la réunion de la Commission des oiseaux migrateurs du CIC, à Bruxelles en juin 1935, un document de signifiance historique est né. Parmi les thèmes de la session figurait la question la pollution des eaux de mer par les hydrocarbures. Une révision de la situation internationale, des propositions à l’intention de législation et de cooperation des états ainsi que les méthodes de la conservation des oiseaux y ont été discutées. En tant que conclusion, la Commission a déclaré « Il faut qu’on considère ce danger non comme un fléau d’hier, mais comme celui de demain ».