US House Approves Ban on Importation of Lion and Elelphant Trophies

​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.

More than 30, 000 elephants are illegally slaughtered for their tusks every year and trophy hunting is just another avenue for killing these beautiful animals and helping to dwindle their numbers. They already face a multitude of perils including human conflict, habitat loss, and as mentioned, illegal poaching, so how can one argue that legally shooting and killing them for fun does anything other than help to wipe them off the face of the planet? It's unfathomable to me that there are people out there who have nothing better to spend this kind of money on aside from travelling to impoverished countries to kill endangered animals. 

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