*Editor’s Note* – Few understand that the hunting of wealthy Americans in Africa pays for conservation efforts. In reality, such a ban may put the African lion in greater jeopardy.
You might think the Endangered Species Act applies only to species found in the United States. But the FWS also imposes restrictions on trophy imports of foreign species that are found to be endangered abroad. With the new listing, imported lion trophies will be generally prohibited in the United States, except in cases “when it can be found that the import will have a benefit to the species.” Since American hunters make up the lion’s share of African-lion trophy hunts, this move could have a big effect on Africa’s conservation outcomes.
Source: Endangered Species Act — Lion Conservation in Africa
