By Center for Biological Diversity, Humane Society of the United States and Humane Society International and Humane Society Legislative Fund.
Please Halt Elephant Trophy Imports Until the Revised African Elephant
4(d) Rule is Final and Deny Elephant Trophy Imports from Botswana.
Dear Secretary Haaland, Dr. Gnam and Ms. Cogliano,
On behalf of the Center for Biological Diversity, the Humane Society of the United
States, Humane Society International and Humane Society Legislative Fund, we are
writing to urge the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) not to authorize any elephant
trophy imports until the revised 4(d) rule for African elephants1 is finalized and in force,
and specifically not to authorize any elephant trophy imports from Botswana. While we
believe that elephant trophy hunting and trade does not meet the ESA’s limited
enhancement exception, we urge that at least no elephant trophy imports from any
nation be permitted until the revised African elephant 4(d) rule is finalized. In
particular, we urge denial of elephant trophy imports from Botswana given the
significant concerns surrounding the status of the species in northern Botswana and the
country’s ability to adequately manage the trophy trade given its Category 2 status under
the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) National
Legislation Project.
See full press release:
