In April 2014, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced the suspension of all imports for sport-hunted elephant trophies from Zimbabwe, citing concern that available data showed “a significant decline in the elephant population.” Though some argue that this ban has resulted in significant loss of revenue and has threatened the livelihood of 800,000 families, Born Free USA has revealed that “across Zimbabwe, economic operations on wildlife range areas are being seized by Zimbabwe’s political-military elites.” Born Free USA’s concern is that hunting could become a ‘legitimate’ means to export ivory to countries like the U.S. In other words, the claim that Zimbabwe families are hit by the ban is false, deployed as a thin veil to cover the actions of Zimbabwe’s ruling elite.
Link: Green Action News