Bill Description:
This bill would prohibit the importation of trophies from species that are proposed to be listed as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), unless the hunter received a special permit from the Secretary of the Interior.[teaserbreak]
The House version also includes a provision requiring a Government Accountability Office (GAO) study on the effectiveness of trophy hunting in supporting international wildlife conservation efforts. We already know from independent studies that the trophy hunting industry makes a negligible contribution to national incomes and local communities in Africa, but it would be beneficial to have confirmation from the government that these animals are worth far more alive than dead.
Background:
This important piece of legislation comes after the tragic death of Cecil the lion, who was allegedly lured outside of Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe and killed by an American hunter. His death was particularly gruesome because he was shot with an arrow, injured, and tracked for 40 hours before finally being shot, beheaded, and skinned.
Senator Menendez, the bill’s sponsor, stated, “Cecil’s death was a preventable tragedy that highlights the need to extend the protections of the Endangered Species Act. When we have enough concern about the future of a species to propose it for listing, we should not be killing it for sport. I’m proud to be joined by my colleagues in introducing this common-sense legislation to take a necessary and prudent step that creates a disincentive for these senseless trophy killings and advances our commitment in leading the fight to combat global wildlife trafficking.”
Read Senator Menendez’s press release here, and see our fact sheet on the bill here.
Take Action:
Use this form to contact your U.S. senators and representative, and urge them to support this important piece of legislation!
Read the full text and follow its progress here for the Senate version and here for the House version.