The Story:
Based on new information from officials in Zimbabwe and Zaire, the Trump administration may reverse a 2014 ban on importing elephant trophies from the two countries. Confirmation came from a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service official via ABC News.
The Details:
Hunters may soon be allowed to import elephant trophies from the two African nations as part of a provision in the Endangered Species Act that allows it under special circumstances.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife officials said: “Legal, well-regulated sport hunting as part of a sound management program can benefit the conservation of certain species by providing incentives to local communities to conserve the species and by putting much-needed revenue back into conservation.”
The reversal of the ban is yet to come into effect or even be announced by the U.S. government, but it was apparently announced at a wildlife forum held in South Africa this week by Safari Club International (SCI).
The problem, at this point, is that the hunting industry in Zimbabwe is rife with corruption, and poaching has long been an issue, according to a Humane Society blog post by its president Wayne Pacelle, who said the SCI made the announcement “with barely contained enthusiasm.”
Says Pacelle:
“Let’s be clear: elephants are on the list of threatened species; the global community has rallied to stem the ivory trade; and now, the U.S. government is giving American trophy hunters the green light to kill them.”
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