• Home
  • Our story
  • Our people
  • Myth busters
  • Act now
  • Visit us
  • Blog
Campaign Against Canned Hunting (CACH)

New USFW rule and lions

12/26/2015

19 Comments

 
Picture
​
Trophy Hunting and the new USFW Rule.

United States Fish and Wildlife (USFW) has changed the rules relating to the import of lion trophies into USA.

Most animal welfare orgs have reported the news superficially e.g. "On December 23, 2015, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced that lions in central and western Africa will be listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act, while lions in southern and eastern Africa will be classified as threatened—meaning that the importation of the heads, tails, and skins of lions like Cecil will be prohibited, except in limited circumstances. This new rule will undoubtedly reduce the number of lions shot by cruel hunters, such as Walter Palmer, who kill these sensitive, social animals just to hang their body parts on their walls."

Such a paragraph hardly does justice to a 230 page document, and is misleading. It confuses the intention with the execution. It will not reduce the number of tame lions shot which in SA represent 99% of all lions hunted – in fact, it does not deal with farmed lions at all.

However, the hunting industry is also uncertain about the scope of such a comprehensive and scientific study, and is anxious to know how it will impact its profits.

This is what Safari Club International (SCI) sent out to its members:
For Immediate Release
SCI Membership Alert on the FWS African lion listing
On December 21, 2015, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) announced a final rule to list African lions under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).  The rule, which was published in the Federal Register on December 23, 2015 lists African lions as two separate subspecies – Panthera leo leo, found in western and central Africa, and Panthera leo melanochaita, found in southern and eastern Africa.  Lions in western and central Africa will be listed as endangered, while southern and eastern Africa lions will be listed as threatened. The rule goes into effect on January 22, 2016.

Together with the listing rule, the FWS issued a special “4(d) rule” that will require ESA permits for the importation of threatened lions harvested from eastern and southern Africa. These permits will be required for all lions hunted on or after January 22, 2016.  The FWS will need to make enhancement findings before they will issue any such permits.  It is not yet clear when or how the FWS will issue these permits or make the required determination that hunting and subsequent importation enhances the survival of the species. (my emphasis)

According to the FWS, lions hunted before January 22, 2016 will not need an ESA permit for importation. Hunters should ensure that they document the date when their lion was hunted.  This can be with a hunting license, notarized letter, or similar official documentation that proves the lion was harvested before January 22, 2016.

Safari Club International is still in the process of reviewing the 230-page listing rule and will provide further information when our analysis is complete.  The final rule and additional information can be found here.

SCI President Larry Higgins today expressed his displeasure with the Obama Administration’s final listing rule and rule requiring permits to import lions.  “Clearly, the White House is attempting to prevent U.S. hunters from engaging in lion hunting,” said Higgins.  “We will look to challenge parts of the rule as appropriate, but this battle will not be resolved quickly.  The Administration is imposing restrictions and obstacles that will not help lions, but will block U.S. hunters from participating in sustainable use conservation. Sadly, the rural communities of Africa that embrace hunting as part of their local economies will also suffer with the loss of U.S. hunters.  As a result, local communities could lose their incentives to participate in lion conservation and as a result more lions will potentially die from poaching, animal control and retaliatory killings than hunters could ever take.”
*               *               *               *

Confused?  You should be.

Here is what you need to know about the new Rule:

* USFW has done its homework here.  This is a comprehensive and thorough analysis of the plight of the African (and Indian) lion.

* USFW accepts that African governments are generally too incompetent and corrupt to be trusted to protect their own wildlife heritage. (It uses less blunt language)

* Further, and most importantly, USFW finds overwhelming evidence that the hunting fraternity has so little regard for conservation imperatives, such as widespread abuse of quotas, that trophy hunting has become a major threat to lion conservation in Africa. (my emphasis)
* Accordingly, USFW will now require U.S hunters to obtain an import permit for their lion trophies before the hunts take place. i.e. the burden of proof is now on the hunter to prove that his proposed hunt will enhance the survival of lions.
* Specifically, the hunter will have to show that his hunt will have a beneficial effect on one or more of the three major threats, namely, loss of habitat, loss of prey base and human/animal conflict.
  SUMMARY
Alas, this all looks so impressive on paper, but it will be all too easy, with the eager cooperation of captured African conservation structures, for hunters to obtain their enhancement certificates. Big Money talks louder than USFW in Africa.

At the very least, this is a clever public relations coup for USFW. USFW can claim to be protecting lions (which it is not); can claim to be supporting weak African conservation structures (which it is not) and can claim to be controlling the hunting industry (which it is not). Other than adding a layer of bureaucracy to the foreign trophy hunter’s paperwork, and infuriating the hunting thugs, nothing will change on the ground. Canned lion hunting will continue unabated.

Although most decent people object to hunting because of the senseless cruelty, the word ‘cruelty’ does not appear in all 230 pages of text. So USFW has not yet come to understand that hunting is to conservation what pornography is to art – but it is moving towards that realization.

USFW has been convinced that, provided trophy hunting is well regulated and scientifically applied with regard to herd and pride dynamics, it can be a tool of conservation.  Namely, it can fill the vacuum left by the lamentable failure of African governments to protect their remaining wilderness. Short of neo-colonising African conservation structures, USFW has the good intention to impose better governance on African conservation services by the new Rule. (Isn’t the road to Hell supposed to be paved with good intentions?)

But the hunting industry has certainly been put on notice by the new Rule: ‘Get your act together boys, or you can expect the next step to be a total ban on the import of all lion trophies.’

It is going to happen, for sure. The trend is clear.

Chris Mercer
Xmas 2015.


19 Comments
Stephen Wiggins link
12/26/2015 09:28:24 am

Chris,

From what I have read on the USFWS facebook page, the USFWS’ ‘clarification’ on ‘canned’ hunting says Panthera leo trophies obtained from ‘canned’ hunting should/could be subject to the same USFWS verification process, ensuring the lion source is ‘sustainable/conservation:’

USFWS Criteria stated at Page 178 -184 USFWS, “Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Listing Two Lion Subspecies,” RIN 1018-BA29, 10 December 2015 – Including the “IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC) Guiding Principles on Trophy Hunting as a Tool for Creating Conservation Incentives,” Ver. 1.0 (IUCN SSC 2012).

Well, of course ‘canned’ hunting/farming is “sustainable” because the ‘canned’ industry is very good at breeding ‘product.’ But, the ‘canned’ lions and big cats held are not part of any recognisable ‘conservation’ programme. As you know only too well, the whole ‘canned’ industry in South Africa was declared to be of no conservation value, but was declared ‘farming’ by the South African Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA November 2010) when the South African Environment Department sought to regulate the ‘canned’ industry. The ‘canned’ industry in South Africa has been virtually unregulated since.

The question is whether the USFWS will consider ‘canned’ hunting, under IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC) “Guiding Principles on Trophy Hunting as a Tool for Creating Conservation Incentives,” “Net Conservation Benefit” as acceptable because in the USFWS’s opinion ‘canned’ hunting is “reducing the pressure on the target species….,” or ‘canned’ hunting is in contravention of that principle because “…it is also imperative that the program [‘canned’ hunting] is part of a legally recognized governance system that supports conservation.” Well, ‘canned’ hunting in South Africa is clearly not part of a legally recognized governance system that supports conservation. So on those grounds, the USFWS should not permit the import of trophies derived from the unregulated and unrecognised ‘conservation value’ of the South African ‘canned’ hunting industry. I have sought USFWS clarification on this point, but wondered what you think?

Reply
Chris Mercer
12/26/2015 11:18:32 pm

Ah well done Stephen for exposing the twisted logic behind the dogged determination of the SA government and USFW to allow lion farming/canned hunting to flourish.
Did you know that Minister for the Environment Edna Molewa, who has as much understanding of conservation as that of a dog watching a passing aircraft, threw the whole diplomatic weight of the SA government against the proposed ban on the import of lion trophies by the Australian government. Fortunately, the Aussies knew better!
Yes, the tenor of the USFW paper is that they/SA Govt will use the utterly indefensible claim that 'a tame lion hunted is a wild lion saved' as an excuse to issue enhancement certificates.

Reply
Stephen Wiggins link
12/28/2015 04:59:03 am

Chris,

Thank you for the reply and the insight into Edna Molewa (my dog's good at watching aircraft!). I am still waiting on a reply (via fb) from USFWS on the contradiction raised in its own stated guidance and how that applies to the specific issue of 'canned' lion trophies. If I/we don't receive a full explanation soon, I will draft a letter on the issue directly to the USFWS, which will seek the USFWS's 'science' behind any assertion that a 'canned' lion's pre-meditated death saves a wild lion's pre-meditated death (and not the opposite, by 'canned' hunting/farming developing more 'hunters' to exploit all lions, plus 'canned' encouraging the poaching of wild lions to add to the 'canned' industry's fuelling of the nonsensical lion/big cat body part demand/trade).

If the USFWS does seek to hide 'canned' hunting/farming under some twisted logic, then that would help explain why there was not an outright 'Endangered' for Panthera leo as a whole, but some 'loop-holes' left for USFWS exceptions so 'canned' and some "good-practice" wild lion hunting to continue under a very thin veil of 'responsibility, legality, sustainability, conservation.........'

Paul Tully link
12/27/2015 07:17:43 am

Perhaps Stephen in this case, it could be argued to PHASA, that if they are to truly distance themselves from captive lion hunting, then they could quite easily aid the prevention of captive lion imports to the US? To put them on the spot as such.

It should be argued to FWS that SA's own hunting organisation PHASA, is against to hunting of captive lions, therefore a ban to the importation of captive lion trophies (specifically) to the US should be sought.

My quick view anyway.

Reply
stephen wiggins link
12/28/2015 05:10:03 am

Hi Paul (saw you at the recent March for Cecil/Lions in London!),

Good point - But it's taken the PHASA over 20 years to be 'shamed' into taking its first negative stance on 'canned' hunting (a recent move to protect the PHASA's 'image' more that a moral stance I believe). But if the PHASA really means business on this issue (as I hope they do), then you are right. The PHASA needs to back it up with positive 'vocal' actions and push for 'canned' hunting exports/imports to be curtailed (not the PHASA being inactive, or a tacit acceptance if the practice is allowed to continue unabated under their noses).

Terry Landry
12/26/2015 10:29:33 am

Reply
Cecilie Davidson
12/27/2015 05:20:03 am

Thank you for the clarification. The day must arrive when tiny-minded humans no longer think it acceptable to kill either wild or captive lions, who evolved to live free.

Reply
David Sperry
12/27/2015 01:47:20 pm

SCI and many others have almost universally always used the "conservation" and "local economy" arguments to justify their blood lust for ALL trophy and sport hunting. There is now way too much evidence that neither truly works, yet they refuse to acknowledge it. You can't fix STUPID.

Reply
Chris Mercer
12/27/2015 11:11:32 pm

Quite right David and yet they do get away with it - particularly in conservation circles. Google 'regulatory capture' to understand why.

Reply
Sheryl Schroeder
1/7/2016 04:37:34 pm

It is just incomprehensible to me how any person could want to shoot and kill an animal as magnificent and iconic as the lion just for ego, bloodlust, selfish bragging rights. I cannot wrap my head around it or even begin to understand the type of person who would want to do this or who could actually carry it out. In reality the whole business is graphic and gruesome. To watch the life drain out of another sentient being's eyes and stand there and feel proud? I will never get it. But as hard as that is to understand it is equally baffling how complicated true conservation is in today's world. In the last six months since I decided to get more involved I have gotten quite the education and it's confusing and hard to know what the best path is or even where to begin! One thing I know is that I'm beyond sick of hearing SCI and the other killing clubs justify their disgusting thrill killing via the conservation and local economy argument. I'm not buying it and I want to know how we can finally debunk that b.s. for good. Any suggestions?

Reply
Chris Mercer
1/7/2016 11:45:58 pm

Hi Sheryl
Email me at info@cannedlion.org and I'll send you some articles exposing the lies that hide the cruelty and the greed.

Reply
Sheryl Schroeder
1/9/2016 10:21:21 am

Chris, Thank you very much. Will do. I am in this for the long haul. I want to help.

Stephen Wiggins link
1/8/2016 05:06:50 am

Sheryl, I have also been doing some research (lion trophy and 'canned' hunting) and would happily share that with you. To be clear, I am not trying to steal any limelight, or detract from Chris, Bev and all of CACH's wonderful work, but share my (IWB's) support for the CACH/cause, to expose the myths. Anyway, the link to the article is given below if that's OK with Chris? I thought it might also save some background material/reading. I wanted to see if I could find any real evidence to support the hunters' (SCI's and other's) claims when it comes to the African lion, but found just more of the opposite, plus ways that hunters (in cohorts with range Governments) are trying to justify to continue hunting quotas in the absence of real population data. https://iwbond.org/2016/01/05/how-can-we-save-the-african-lion-panthera-leo/

Reply
Sheryl Schroeder
1/9/2016 10:20:41 am

Stephen, Thank you for the link. Your research is extensive and I read it, with a sinking heart. Seeing these figures only served to intensify my commitment to trying to help lions. Thank you.

Adelina Fernandes
2/10/2016 05:03:22 am

Reply
Denine Mishoe
7/2/2016 02:48:30 pm

I believe fully in what you're doing and stand behind you all 100%. After watching a video about canned hunting, in which I balled my eyes out and just about threw up, I've now sworn myself to do anything I can to stop this most barbaric & inhumane act. Seriously, right after seeing that video, I had so much blood in my eyes, I wanted to paint targets on all these "hunters" (word used very loosely) and pull the trigger on all involved!! I even considered hiring some mercenaries to get rid of all these scum of the earth; I really think I'd be given a medal. That is how angered I am by this and time hasn't diminished my feelings on the issue one bit! And I don't care who knows it either! How in the world has this been hidden from the general public? This should be on every billboard, every radio station and TV commercials... showing the general population just what I saw! You think Cecil pissed everyone off, I believe this would also have many feeling just as I did. I will NEVER understand how anyone could find joy in killing of any kind... but to kill these magnificent creatures, that have done nothing to them, and claim it's conservation... again it makes my blood-pressure sky-rocket to the moon!

Okay, I'm sorry that I rant, but it's so hard not to make my feelings known. Anyway, I really just wanted to commend the people above for their dedication to getting this resolved in favor of these wonderful lions and to end canned hunting and imports once and for all. I truly hope this is the last generation that will be barbarians and behave as monsters. The history books will not be painting our generation in a favorable light either... thanks so much to the psychopaths/murderers of animals!

Reply
Stephen Wiggins link
7/3/2016 12:05:46 pm

Denine, Well said! Your 'strength' against 'canned' is most welcome and much appreciated!

Reply
Denine Mishoe
7/3/2016 09:14:09 pm

Thank you Stephen! God Bless you and all the Lions you're fighting for!

Sheryl Schroeder
7/4/2016 01:22:55 pm

Denine, Thank you for your thoughts. We need more people like you. I hope you never stop being a voice for the voiceless. Join alongside all of us as we fight these horrific crimes.

Reply



Leave a Reply.


    Newsletter

    Archives

    December 2022
    August 2022
    January 2022
    July 2021
    May 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    May 2020
    January 2020
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    June 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    November 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    May 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    September 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013

Animal advocacy courses are offered here:

    Subscribe to our newsletter:

Submit
PUBLIC BENEFIT NUMBER: PB0930030402        |        REG. NUMBER: 2006/036885/08   
   CACH:  P.O. BOX 54 LADISMITH 6655 SOUTH AFRICA     |     MOBILE/CELL/WHATSAPP:  +27 (0) 82 9675808
.