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President Trump Puts Big Game Trophy Hunting Decision On Hold After Backlash

President Trump Puts Big Game Trophy Hunting Decision On Hold After Backlash

The ban was only recently lifted, however the American leader is reviewing 'all conservation facts' before going through with the decision

Stewart Perrie

Stewart Perrie

After facing a huge backlash from conservationists, US President Donald Trump has decided to put his big game trophy decision on hold. The American leader raised eyebrows around the world for lifting a ban which prevented people from bringing animal parts back from African hunting trips.

The US Fish and Wildlife Service opened the gates for people to apply for permits to be able to import lion trophies from Zambia and Zimbabwe. That's on top of hunters being able to also bring back parts of elephants from those same two countries. The Obama administration introduced a ban in 2014 after studies showed that these types of trophies did nothing to help save these species from endangerment.

Mr Trump tweeted on Saturday saying: "Put big game trophy decision on hold until such time as I review all conservation facts. Under study for years. Will update soon with Secretary Zinke. Thank you!"

Interestingly, the FWS says it made the decision to help the survival of endangered species. ABC News reports that the lion population has dropped by more than 40 percent in the last two decades, however there's no concrete description of how issuing more permits for hunting trophies would help reverse that trend.

Humane Society of the United States President Wayne Pacelle told the Guardian: "This all suggests that rather than being the protectors of wildlife, the federal government is now a promoter of trophy hunting.

"They are rolling out the red carpet to the next Walter Palmer, and that same sort of situation will happen all over again."

Elephant picture
Elephant picture

Credit: PA

Walter Palmer was the American dentist and big-game hunter who shot Cecil the lion with an arrow. The famous lion allegedly wasn't killed until 40 hours later, when Walter caught up with the animal and shot him with a rifle. Palmer denies it took that long and was not charged with any crime, but two other men were prosecuted in relation to the hunt.

Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke has also issued a statement saying: "President Trump and I have talked and both believe that conservation and healthy herds are critical. As a result, in manner compliant with all applicable laws, rules, and regulations the issuing of permits is being put on hold as the decision is being reviewed."

The argument that hunting big game animals helps to protect them and ensure their survival is a murky one. There's no definitive ruling that supports the theory, however hunting proponents say that the money they have to pay for the permit and the animal ends up being used for conservation efforts.

Although, others on the opposite side of the argument say that elephants and lions bring in far more money by being alive through tourism. An elephant can bring in up to $23,000 (£17,400) a year, or $1.6 million (£1.2 million) over its lifetime.

Sources: ABC News, Guardian, Independent

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: US President, Elephant, Donald Trump, Hunting, Lion