Species protection: US government raises ban on importation of hunted elephants

The number of African elephants has fallen by a fifth in the last ten years. In the future, they may still be introduced to the United States.

Species protection: US government raises ban on importation of hunted elephants

The Government of US president Donald Trump will again allow to introduce body parts of African-American elephants to United States. In doing so, it reverses a ban from reign of Trump's predecessor Barack Obama. The permission applies to elephants who were legally killed in Zambia and Zimbabwe. Imports should be allowed again from Friday.

The Office for Fish and Wild protection shared that permission would increase chances of survival of endangered species. Animal welfare programmes could be supported with money taken by hunting permits. "Legal, well-regulated hunting as part of a thorough management programme can benefit conservation of certain species of animals if y provide incentives to local communities, protect species and bring back necessary income into protection of breed," it said in a communication.

The US animal welfare organization, Humane Society, criticized move. The fact that in Zimbabwe, President Robert Mugabe was put under house arrest by military, shows absurdity and illegal nature of decision that Zimbabwe should be able to adequately regulate protection of elephants and trophy hunting.

The illegal hunting elephant in Africa went back to 2016 according to a report of species Protection Conference cites for fifth consecutive year. At same time, however, with 40 tonnes of elephant tusk, largest quantity has been confiscated since world-wide ban on trade in ivory. According to World Conservation Union (IUCN), number of African elephants in last decade decreased from more than 520,000 to 415,000. In Zimbabwe alone, number has decreased by six percent since 2001.

Elephants and ivory Ivory

More than 1000 years ago, ivory was considered a valuable material from which jewellery, money and artifacts were made. The material, also known as white gold , from animal teeth is traded illegally today, especially in Asia, where ivory powder is regarded as a potency agent.

Prohibited trade

Since 1989, trade in ivory under Washington Species Protection Agreement (CITES) has generally been banned. However, re are exceptions to antique ivory products – and implementation of laws is hardly successful in many countries. Especially elephants and rhinos are still threatened by poachers.

Endangered elephants

The International Animal Welfare Fund IFAW estimates that number of African elephant s has declined from about 1.2 million in year 1980 to today's still well 450,000 animals. In Asia, only 35,000 to 40,000 elephants live in wild. Despite strict protection status of animals, at least 20,000 elephants are still killed annually in Asia and Africa because of ir tusks.

Hunting for rhinos

In addition to elephants, rhino s are also endangered by poaching.

In Africa, an estimated 3700 of Rhino (Source: WWF) still live. While norrn wide-mouth Rhinoceros (Ceratorium simum cotoni) is almost extinct, sourn wide-mouth Rhino (Ceratorium simum simum) has survived an estimated 14,500 specimens.

Especially in Zimbabwe , hunting for rhinos continues almost unhindered. Asian gangs poach animals in corrupt and politically unstable country, while nature conservationists can do little to align.

Date Of Update: 17 November 2017, 12:02
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