USA to Zimbabwe: No to Trophy Hunting Imports Unless Local Conservation Improves

In 2014, the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) suspended imports of African elephant sport hunting trophies from Zimbabwe and Tanzania. As of late, 45 major airlines have banned the transport of body part “trophies” from African hunting trips.

Also this week, a federal ruling goes into effect with a stipulation that American hunters returning from lion hunts in Africa can no longer bring their “trophies” home without permits from the US Fish and Wildlife Service which will not be granted freely. This is in part because two subspecies of lion, high on the hunters’ list of shooting targets, have just been listed as threatened or endangered.

Does the blood money from trophy hunting truly benefit the local African communities and their conservation needs as it alleges to? Finally, this is a crucial question that is not only being asked, but addressed somewhat with this ruling. Hopefully these answers will bring an end to all trophy hunts, and increase protection of threatened species toward true conservation.

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