When you think of trophy hunting, perhaps your mind goes to the African savanna and to a picture of a hunter with a majestic lion or elephant in the cross-hairs. It is undeniable that trophy hunting in Africa is widespread, with South Africa consistently topping the list of hunting trophy exporters. So, you might be surprised to learn that the second largest global exporter of hunting trophies is not in some far-flung place but is, in fact, Canada.
Canada exported more than 60,000 trophies between 2008 and 2017 and, between 2004 and 2011, Canada had the highest exports in the world of trophies belonging to threatened species. American black bears, timber wolves, grizzly bears, cougars, polar bears, Canadian lynxes, narwhals, bobcats, and walruses have all fallen victim to this cruel practice.
Even more surprising: you don’t need to leave the United States to find this cruelty. Within the U.S., there are an increasing number of trophy hunting ranches, which breed exotic animals, including giraffes, zebras, and other non-native species, solely for hunters to kill them in canned hunts and make trophies of their body parts. It has been estimated recently that, in Texas alone, there are currently around 1.3 million exotic animals held by trophy hunting ranches. And, in Texas, there is very little regulatory control or oversight, giving ranch owners and hunters a free rein. Experts argue that this undermines important wildlife legislation such as the Endangered Species Act.
Take action against trophy hunting by adding your name to our petition urging the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to cease granting trophy import permits. The chance to bring back a memento of the kill is a big motivator for trophy hunters, so barring import of hunting trophies would remove much of the incentive for this brutal practice. Add your name!
Keep Wildlife in the Wild,
Liz
