The Biden administration recently announced strengthened protections for African elephants, but wildlife activists are disappointed that a total ban on imports of hunting trophies and live animals was not issued. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service finalized restrictions on elephants imported to the U.S. under the Endangered Species Act, aiming to aid in the long-term conservation and survival of elephants in the wild.
While the administration emphasized the importance of well-regulated hunting for conservation purposes, advocates were hoping for a more comprehensive ban on imports. Prominent wildlife activist organizations have called for a complete prohibition on such imports, expressing concern for the treatment of elephants as commodities.
Despite the disappointment, the new regulations will require imports of live African elephants, hunting trophies, and elephant parts to come from countries with conservation laws in place. The rulemaking, set to take effect on May 1, 2024, received thousands of comments from stakeholders, with many advocating for increased conservation efforts for African elephants.
Advocates like Tanya Sanerib from the Center for Biological Diversity and Jeff Flocken from Humane Society International have vowed to continue pushing for stronger measures to protect elephants and other imperiled species. The debate over the balance between conservation and hunting continues, with wildlife activists advocating for stricter regulations to ensure the well-being of African elephants.
