​worldanimalnews.com/breaking-u-s-house-of-representatives-approves-amendment-to-ban-the-importation-of-endangered-african-lions-elephants-by-trophy-hunters/

An ammendment to ban the importation of elephant and lion trophies from Africa has now passed and will mvoe to senate ultimately being signed into action by President Trump. In 2017, it was decided that hunting trophies of lions and elephants would be permitted into the United States completely working against the efforts of conservationists who argued that there is absolutely no scientific evidence that trophy hunting or the money generated from it actually does anything to help with conservation.

Interestingly, it was originally approved by President Trump to allow the trophies so whether this makes it back to his desk to be signed into law basically going against his original decision will be interesting. Conservationists have long argued that despite trophy hunting hiding behind the idea that they are actually helping with conservation, there is absolutely no evidence that it does anything other than satisfy the sick urges of rich people who want to spend tens of thousands of dollars to end the life of an endangered animal. There is no bigger hypocrisy out there than one that argues that killing endangered animals somehow helps keep them on this planet.

As mentioned in the original article, Americans spend more money on safari style vacations in Africa where they observe and enjoy the wildlife safely as opposed to the money spent on trophy hunting. It is also reported in the article that most American people find trophy hunting of elephants, lions, and other African animals repulsive and only those that participate in these hunts find it even remotely acceptable. It's great to see the government alligning themselves with what the people actually feel and want regarding trophy hunting and effectively working towards banning it entirely.

Another serious problem with the poaching and hunting of elephants or lions is the natural balance of the ecosystem being disrupted. In almost every case of natural predators going extinct, more problems arise because of this. Other herbivorous animals will start to overpopulate which will inevitably affect the wildlife causing more cause for concern. There is a natural balance in the animal kindom and when humans start interfering with it, it leads to more and more problems. Humans have a funny way of interjecting themselves into the natural balance of things and disrupting everything putting so many animals and plant life at risk because of their actions.

Congratulations to the US House and I truly hope I will be able to follow up on this story with a ban signed into law!

HAPPY VEG

​worldanimalnews.com/3-montana-hunters-unfathomably-receive-no-jail-time-weak-sentence-for-illegal-killing-mountain-lion-in-yellowstone-national-park/

3 Montana hunters received laughable sentences after being convicted of illegally hunting a mountain lion in Yellowstone National Park. The 3 men wandered past a border which lead them into a no hunt zone and shot a mountain lion dead dragging again across the border back to their truck but only after taking selfies they posted to social media.  The sentences included 3 years UNSUPERVISED probation, a $1,700 fine, and a 3 year ban on hunting worldwide. Here's why I think this is beyond unacceptable.

First of all, they crossed a no hunt border which is the first illegality in this situation. The borders are there to prevent people from hunting animals in these areas where legal hunts take place however disgusting the terminology legal hunts may be, these men broke those rules by illegally wandering in to hunt this lion. Secondly, they took the carcass back across the line again to bring it back to their truck. When confronted, they lied to authorities and claimed they did not hunt the lion within those boundaries which is the next offense. Finally, they posted selfies with their illegal kill which completely demeans the animal but also laughs in the face of the illegality of the situation. They got nothing more than a slap on the wrist.

Unfortunately, until our governments update our animal cruelty laws, we will continue to see these sorts of things happening. Without a punishment that supports the illegality of the activity, what the hell is stopping anyone else from doing it? Animal abuse or animal cruelty is a SERIOUS CRIME that needs to be recognized and punished as such. Especially in the case of illegal hunting, in my opinion, hunting is scummy enough but when someone is willing to go around the legality of it to commit such a crime, we need a punishment that sets an example. Their punishment is despicable and will only allow future problems to continue.

In almost every case of animal cruelty or animal related convictions, punishments are severely lacking and this lack of appropriate punishment is why these things continue. When abuse is exposed on factory farms, the punishments rarely set an example to the rest of them which is why we see story after story f animals being violently abused on these farms. Nothing is changing because our laws are not changing, it's as simple as that.

Despite the movement of veganism picking up and major victories in the world of animal rights including the banning of circus' using wild animals, cetaceans in captivity, and fur on the way out, we still struggle across the globe when it comes to punishing animal cruelty and illegal hunting to its full potential. What I would like to assume is that as veganism continues to drive our nation's motives, I would expect that our animal cruelty laws will be strengthened in time. We can't see all of these victories without seeing the root laws being upgraded to reflect the times, can we?

HAPPY VEG