Today, the US Fish and Wildlife Service will begin issuing permits to allow the import of sport-hunted trophy from elephants hunted in Zimbabwe and Zambia.
The previous ban on the importation of elephant trophies into the US, established during the Obama administration, was reversed following an announcement on November 14th.
Elephants hunted between 2016 and the end of 2018 will be allowed to be imported to the US with a permit.
African elephants are currently protected under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The reasoning behind the decision to lift the ban is that trophy hunting will be a “conservation tool.”
“Sport hunting, as part of a sound wildlife management program, can provide benefits to conservation,” the service said in a statement.
We're appalled at US's decision to allow imports of elephant trophies from Zimbabwe and Zambia, reversing the 2014 ban. Trophy hunting causes immense suffering and fuels the demand for wild animal products: https://t.co/PatyIaAic4 #NotEntertainers pic.twitter.com/JCmygtVjZ6
— Animal Protection (@MoveTheWorld) November 16, 2017
According to Fish and Wildlife, the decision came after the Government of Zimbabwe provided an updated status of the elephant population.
“We are now able to find that African elephant trophy hunting in Zimbabwe will enhance the survival of the species in the wild.”
They say that by selling permits to hunters, money that goes back into the system will further aid in conservation efforts.
We are getting a lot of inquiries about changes to our policies on the import of elephant trophies from Zimbabwe and Zambia. You can find more information here: https://t.co/Vo754MUNE0 and answers to FAQs: https://t.co/mdjdknwt62
— US Fish and Wildlife (@USFWS) November 16, 2017
The news has had mixed reactions, with Safari Club International, a pro-trophy-hunting lobby group, praising the decision, and has several conservation groups outraged.
The announcement comes in conjunction with the news of Zimbabwe’s long-time leader, Robert Mugabe, being put under house arrest, and the establishment of an International Wildlife Conservation Council that would advise the Federal Government on the benefits of international hunting.
At this time, The suspension of the import of sport-related trophies from elephants hunted in Tanzania remains in place.
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